County Cavan

County Cavan (from the Irish, Contae an Chabháin) is often called “The Lake Country,” not just for its 365 lakes (“one for every day of the year” as the saying goes), but for the long and winding influence they have on the geography of the country as a whole.

Lough Sheelin, at over seven square miles, is the largest. It is also one of the least interesting (despite the fact that it manages to border three separate counties). The Shannon Pot, barely anything at a mere width of 52 feet and a depth of 20 feet, is the source of the River Shannon, the longest river in Ireland. A stunning thought, until you read that it somehow connects to the nearby slopes of Cuilcagh Mountain and Garvagh Lough. The slightly smaller River Erne finds its source in Beaghy Lough, another seemingly pitiful body of water.

The unpronounceable Lough Oughter, a complex of lakes on the outer reaches of the county, is at once vast and intimate. An uncommon range of animals and plants aim to perfect the unique environment, which is consistently breached by wetlands; this area is protected under European legislation. The ruins of a 13th century, circular castle named Clough Oughter Castle, are positioned on a very small island at its centre. By the waters of the lake, Killykeen Forest Park’s synonymous, historic pathways trail into the quiet, the dark, the lush and beautiful.

Unmissable Attractions County Cavan

1. Lough Sheelin

2. The Shannon Pot

3. Lough Oughter

4. Clogh Oughter Castle

5. Belturbet Railway Station (Opening Times: Monday – Friday from 9.00 a.m. – 5.00 p.m.) Details of prices are available by calling this number: +353 (0) 49 952-2074

6. Cavan County Museum (Opening Times: Tuesday to Saturday from 10.00 a.m. – 5.00 p.m. and Sunday from 2.00 p.m. – 6.00 p.m. in summer)

7. Dun an Ri Forest Park, at Kingscourt, features the sweeping and mighty “Romantic Glen” of the Cabra River.

SOUTH-EAST REGION
County Wexford
County Waterford
County Kilkenny
County Carlow

SOUTH-WEST REGION
Cork City
County Cork
County Kerry
Limerick City

WEST REGION
County Clare
The Aran Islands
County Galway
County Mayo
County Sligo
County Roscommon

THE MIDLANDS
County Laois
County Longford
County Leitrim
County Offaly
County Tipperary
County Westmeath