Culture and Heritage

Experiences in Monaghan

Home to celebrated poet Patrick Kavanagh as well as world-famous lace, Monaghan is a haven for the culturally curious. Explore captivating heritage trails and check out our award-winning visitor experiences.

Carrickmacross Lace Gallery

Carrickmacross Lace was first established in the 1820’s by a Mrs Grey Porter, wife of the Rector of Donaghmoyne. At the Lace Gallery one can view and buy this famous Carrickmacross Lace. A demonstration can be provided on request.

Swallow Studios

Swallow Studios Art & Craft Gallery in Annayalla just outside Castleblayney, houses a unique combination of craft textile workshops in the heart of County Monaghan. Liz Christy and Louise Loughman use their skills to create very desirable crafted goods, all under one roof.

Ulster Canal Stores Visitor Centre & Clones Lace Museum

The beautifully restored Ulster Canal Stores is a traditional cut stone building located on the edge of Clones town, on the N54 Cavan Road, with excellent road links with Northern Ireland. Clones lace-making was first introduced in the 1850’s and at one stage there were 1,500 lace-makers in the area.

Brehon Brewhouse

The Brewhouse creates distinct hand crafted beers in their small brewery housed on the farm set amongst the rolling drumlins of County Monaghan just a few miles from the birthplace of Patrick Kavanagh in Inniskeen.

Patrick Kavanagh Centre

The Patrick Kavanagh Centre tells the story of Inniskeen’s most famous son, Patrick Kavanagh, in a new and exciting way using immersive and interactive techniques to engage and inspire visitors

Monaghan County Museum

Monaghan County Museum opened its doors to the public in 1974 becoming the first full time professionally staffed local authority museum in the country. Its continued commitment to provide a quality service has been rewarded on a number of occasions.

Collective at Market Square

Collective at Market Square is a wonderful art and craft gallery situated in the Market House, Carrickmacross, built in 1861 by the Bath Estate Catherina is the curator at Collective and has worked in the art and craft business for over twenty years.

Carrickmacross Workhouse

Carrickmacross Workhouse was built in 1841 to house the poor and is now restored into a Community Resource, Training and Heritage Centre by Farney Community Development Group Ltd., containing the original Children’s Dormitory, with Mass Famine Graves on-site.

Laragh Tin Church

Constructed of tin, St. Peter’s Tin Church, Laragh is one of a kind in Co. Monaghan and unique on the island of Ireland for its quirky design and carefully considered features.

Cassandra Hand Centre

The Cassandra Hand Folk & Famine Centre is located in the old Round Tower School situated in the historic town of Clones, Co. Monaghan, and was built in 1859 by Cassandra Hand with proceeds from Clones Lace.

King’s Forge Glass

King’s Forge Glass is a working glass studio in a renovated old blacksmith’s forge. Grace works with specialist glass and a selection of kilns, to make a range of modern, hand-crafted fused glass.

Castleblayney musical heritage attractions

Often referred to as the ‘Nashville of Ireland’, Castleblayney has a proud musical history and is the native home of the legendary ‘Big Tom’ McBride and showband star Paddy Cole among others.

Clones Town Trail

Founded by St Tighernach in the 6th century, Clones is crammed with historic sites including a round tower, which belonged to the original monastery, an ancient High Cross and the 12th century St Peter and Paul’s Abbey – known to locals as ‘the wee abbey’

Castleblayney Town Trail

This self-guided trail takes visitors on a pleasant walk to several sites of historical significance in the town of Castleblayney and through Lough Muckno Leisure Park.
Key points of interest include Hope Castle, Alms Houses, St. Maeldoid’s Church of Ireland, Forester Hall and the Muckno Gate lodges.

Carrickmacross Walking Tours

The Walking Tour of Carrickmacross aims to bring alive the vibrant history of the Town, including the Famine Times in the Workhouse, the two families who owned the town for many years: The Shirley Estate and the Bath Estate, and the War of Independence.

Carrickmacross Heritage Trail

The heritage trail in the old garrison town of Carrickmacross takes 35-40 minutes to walk and is the perfect opportunity to get under the skin of this Co. Monaghan crossroads.

Kavanagh Trail

The Patrick Kavanagh Trail features local sites relevant to Kavanagh’s life and featured in his work as well as sites of general interest.

Glaslough Guided Walking Heritage Trails

Guided heritage walking tours of Glaslough village are available every Friday and Saturday at 4pm during June, July and August. All group bookings available for any day of the week.

Glaslough Heritage Trail

Starting beside the Famine Monument and finishing at Saint Salvator’s Church the trail follows a route of 2 kilometres, open for all to enjoy, around the village and into the Castle Leslie estate.

Monaghan Town Trail

Self-guided heritage trail. Brochures available locally.