Day Trip Ideas
Eat Outdoors in Monaghan – Fabulous Food Trucks & Perfect Picnic Spots
Pack a picnic and head to one of county Monaghan’s scenic locations, to enjoy outdoor dining at its best. Or why not check out one of the county’s fabulous food trucks – from award-winning local duck to Tex-Mex inspired eats. Eating outdoors in Monaghan has never been so appealing!
Here are 10 perfect picnic spots and fab food trucks in Monaghan for all to enjoy:
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Sample award-winning Silver Hill duck at the Duck Truck, in Emyvale Lauded by top chefs all over the world, Silver Hill is home to ‘the best duck in the world’. Try quackos, silver hill sliders and duck ‘n’ dog, featuring chilli and ginger duck sausage. The truck is located at the Silver Hill Farm Shop and open Fridays and Saturdays, 12-3.30pm.
Monaghan’s original food truck, Blasta Street Kitchen, was inspired by the travels of Seany McCleary and Nikita McCrory, serving mouth-watering Tex-Mex inspired dishes made from the freshest local ingredients. Find them at Monaghan Farmers’ Market on a Friday, 11am-2pm; Glaslough Village Fridays 5.30-8.30pm; and Lough Muckno on Saturdays and Sundays, 12-3pm.
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Keeping visitors to Rossmore Forest Park caffeinated, Coffee Doc a permanent fixture) also serves sandwiches and baked goods. You will need the fuel to track down all five (soon to be six) giant sculptures scattered around the park. Scoop Doc serves ice cream and slushies.
A visit to Lough Muckno in Castleblayney would not be complete without a coffee or a 99 from the Trailer Café. Check their facebook page for the latest open times. Muckno has a plethora of perfect places to picnic, including a beautiful new brand-new lakeside picnic area.
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Billy Fox Park is one of Monaghan’s hidden gems and an ideal spot for a picnic. Let Brews & Bakes at Billy Fox Park take care of coffee and sweet treats on Saturdays and Sundays, 10.30am-4pm.
“It’s coffee, but just not as you know it…” according to US expat, Joshua Dennis, of Nitro Ground, mobile outlet serving cold brew coffee, home-made kombucha and other crafted beverages on tap. A welcome addition to the Thursday market in Carrickmacross and Friday farmers’ market in Monaghan Town, keep an eye on social media for upcoming locations and the latest concoctions.
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Making Carrickmacross Monaghan’s unofficial coffee capital, Avenue Coffee on Naomh Louis Street, specialises in locally sourced, organic and fair trade coffee, with sweet treats made locally, too. Perfect sustenance for a walk along Convent Avenue, we think!
St Peter’s Tin Church in Laragh Village, is a beautiful spot to sit and watch the world go by, with the sound of trickling stream and birdsong in the background. Pop into the church to see the stunningly restored interior and complete the experience with a leisurely stroll though the unspoilt local countryside.
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There is no end of perfect picnic spots at Sliabh Beagh, in the wilds of north Monaghan. With ample picnic tables along the walking trails, at the various trail heads and car parking areas, as well as no shortage of stunningly scenic and secluded areas for a spot of ‘wild’ picnicking, you will have to come back more than once to try them all!
Ballybay Town Park and the looped walked around Lough Major, are an excellent option for family picnic in Monaghan, with well-equipped playground and proximity to town for the obligatory ice cream. Whilst in the area, head to Ballybay Wetlands Centre, an important spot for migrating birds and wonderland for nature enthusiasts.
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For more picnic spot inspiration and outdoor dining in Monaghan, click here .