Introduction to Cavan
Cavan (An Cabhan in Irish, meaning "the hollow") is the main town and administrative centre of County Cavan in the Republic of Ireland. The town lies in the north east of Ireland, along the border with Northern Ireland.
A Brief History of Cavan
The O'Reilly family (still a very common surname in the area) established a castle in the town in the late 13th century. A Franciscan monastery was also established at around the same time. In the 15th century the local ruler, Bearded Owen O'Reilly, set up a market which attracted merchants from Dublin and Drogheda. King James I of England granted the town a charter in 1610. In the early 19th century the Maxwells, Lords Farnham of Cromwellian origin, built a new wide street, that still bears the name Farnham Street. This was lined with comfortable town houses, public buildings (such as the Court house which dates from 1825) and churches.The term "life of Reilly" was credited to the Reilly clans due to their great wealth and power. Having issued their own currency during the 1600's.
In the late 19th century Cavan became an important rail junction between the midland and western lines and those of the Northern Railways. The Town Hall was built in 1909. In 1938 work began on the Roman Catholic Cathedral of Saints Patrick and Felim. Three miles west of Cavan town is the Anglican Kilmore Cathedral, which contains a Romanesque doorway dating from the 12th century. Farnham House to the northwest of Cavan town is one of the largest houses in Co. Cavan. It is believed to have been built for the Maxwell family in 1810 and designed by Francis Johnston a Dublin architect. It was recently sold by the widowed Lady Farnham to a local entrepreneur and the house and estate is now converted to a luxury hotel and leisure complex under the Radisson SAS interenational hotel group.
Areas of Interest in Cavan
Drumlane Monastic Site
Idyllic setting between Lakes Drumlane and Derrybrick. Round tower and church mark the sixth century monastic site. Church building is from thirteenth or fourteenth century. Half a mile form Milltown village.
Cloughouthter Castle
Tucked away in a remote corner of the Erne River system, on a tiny island in Lough Oughter, stands the ruined circular tower of Cloughoughter - a modest-sized castle with a surprisingly prominent history. It was probably begun by William Gorm de Lacy between 1200 and 1224, possibly on the site of a crannog, after the Normans seized parts of the O'Rourke kingdom of Breifne. The lower two storeys can be ascribed to this phase; it had loops but no entrance on the ground floor, three doorways and at least twowindows at first-floor level and possibly a curtain wall on the west side.
The Museum of the Master Saddler
This museum is unique being the only museum in the world dedicated exclusively to the ancient craft of the Saddler and Harness Maker.The museum documents the various demands placed upon the saddler from farming, sports, military and transport. The museum exhibits include: 1920's side saddle, shire harness, over 60 leather samples, harness decoration and buckles, driving collars, coaching coats, whips, saddle trees, muzzles, lamps and poultice boots. The museum also houses several driving carriages and horse drawn farm implements.
Fleadh Cheoil an Chabhain
The beautiful village of Ballinagh plays host to Cavan's premiere Traditional Irish Music Festival 'Fleadh Cheoil an Cabháin'. Some of the weekend's highlights include:
Corravahan House
Listed 1840's Georgian style house and gardens, occupied by the Leslie Family for its first 130 years. Retaining most of its original period features, the house is undergoing restoration. The house and grounds are open to the public.
Dun na Ri Forest Park
565 acre Dun na Ri Forest Park is just outside Kingscourt along the banks of the River Cabra and featuring a dramatic gorge embracing part of the Cabra Estate formerly owned by the Pratt family. The Romantic Glen of the Cabra River, stretching the full length of the Park, it is an area steeped in history and legend, it is said that Cuchulain camped there at night while by day conducting his single handed defence of Ulster against the armies of Maeve. The Normans were here also and in later years the glen echoed to the sounds of Cromwells armies. There are four walks of approximately 1.5-2km in length all with points of interest and plentiful varied wildlife. Some more unusual highlights of a visit to Dun na Ri are the Ice House, Toba na Splinne Holy Well and Cromwell's Bridge. The ruins of Fleming's Castle can still be seen as well as Sarah's W
ell. Sarah's Bridge, built in 1801, is the starting point of many of the walks in the park.The Park also has an extremely varied plant community and as a result it is rich in a wide range of wild animals. Red and grey squirrels are common, as are stoats and rabbits. Mink flourish along the river and otters have been spotted occasionally. The Irish hare is a resident of the Park as is the pigmy shrew. Norway spruce and oak are two important species in the Park. The oak trees are managed to produce a valuable veneer crop.
Traditional Music and Craic in Cavan