Description
*RE-COMMENCING SATURDAY 1ST AUGUST 2020*
PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT A NUMBER OF SOCIAL DISTANCING AND SAFETY MEASURES WILL BE IN PLACE TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF TOUR GUIDES AND PATRONS. GROUPS WILL BE LIMITED TO 10 PEOPLE, SOCIAL DISTANCING WILL BE ENFORCED AT STOPS, AND PATRONS ARE ENCOURAGED TO WEAR FACE MASKS.
The earliest map of Monaghan, dates from 1590 and shows only ‘the abbie of Mounachin’ and the ‘McMahons House in the Loughe of Mounachin’. The Franciscan Abbey, erected c.1462, was in the centre of what is the present town, while McMahon’s crannóg was on the Convent Lake.
From 1513 to 1589 it was the headquarters of chiefs of the McMahons, whose power was eventually broken by the English in the late 16th/early 17th century.
For the next two centuries Monaghan was basically a Presbyterian town and a colonial centre of commerce and local government with the Blayneys and Rossmores as the main ruling classes during all that period. Many of Monaghan’s finest buildings date from the 18th and 19th centuries and some of these feature in the Monaghan
Meeting Point
The Diamond/Westenra Arms Hotel, Monaghan Town at 11am
Duration
Approx. 1 1/2 hours.
Free of Charge
Peter’s Lake - Find out who Peter was, see the Famine Memorial and discover the beautiful buildings on the North Road, including the Johnston and Madden Hall, the Provincial Bank, and the Model School (some are literally haunting!)
Mill Street - Location of the Post Office, the first home of the St Louis Order in Ireland, the pub the customers bought, see beautiful Aviemore House (and hear about its notorious owner) and locate the best loved garden in the county.
Monaghan County Museum - Award winning museum that tells the story of County Monaghan, free admission. Hear tales of some Monaghan characters from times gone by.
Market House - Explore the history of County Monaghan’s dedicated arts venue, tourist office and our town’s oldest public building. It has had some very different uses over the years, but is still recognised as one of the prettiest Market Houses in Ireland.
Dawson Monument - Uncover Monaghan’s links with the Crimean War and other conflicts, learn some early banking tricks and spot some architectural features unique to Monaghan Town.
Church Square - At this stop we look at Monaghan’s greatest forgery, the Hotel no-one wanted to stay in, St Patrick’s Church and the Monaghan connection with Dracula and Oliver Twist.
Shambles River/ Ulster Canal - This area was the meadow of the original Castle that stood in the centre of the ‘new’ Monaghan Town. At this point in the tour we talk crap, i.e. about changes in waste management! And we will also show you the Greenway, the canal and the Monaghan Harbour.
Shambles River/ Ulster Canal - This area was the meadow of the original Castle that stood in the centre of the ‘new’ Monaghan Town. At this point in the tour we talk crap, i.e. about changes in waste management! And we will also show you the Greenway, the canal and the Monaghan Harbour.
Dublin Street - The birthplace of one of Monaghan’s most famous sons, see the ‘towns within the town’ that were located in its entries and hear about the turbulent events that rocked this busy street in times past.
The Diamond - We end our tour with a look at the beginnings of Monaghan Town, discuss the local media and make the connection between the Rossmore Memorial and the Westenra Arms Hotel. You will also find out why every student of Queens University Belfast are grateful to a famous son of Monaghan that the town has forgotten.
