This is one of Ireland's most watery counties. It’s classic drumlin landscape, interwoven with more lakes than they know what to do with. But the very fact that the meandering waterways dictate the way of the roads means that much of Cavan is hidden. In today’s intrusive world, this is a virtue. It is a place best discovered by the discerning visitor. Much of it has quiet and utterly rural charm, seemingly remote. But it isn't so very far from Belfast or Dublin, and noted for its unique entrepreneurial flair.
Yet if you take your time wandering through this green and silver land - particularly if travelling at the leisurely pace of the deservedly renowned Shannon-Erne Waterway which has joined Ireland's two greatest lake and river systems - then you'll become aware that this is a place of rewardingly gentle pleasures. And you'll have time to discover that it does have its own mountain, or at least it shares the 667 m peak of Cuilcagh with neighbouring Fermanagh.
No ordinary mountain, this - it has underground streams which eventually become the headwaters of the lordly River Shannon, while 47 kms to the southeast is the source of the River Erne near Bellanagh – it eventually flows northwest, so Ireland’s greatest rivers are closely interwined, yet only connected by canal.
Cavan is much more extensive than is popularly imagined, for in the northeast it has Shercock with its own miniature lake district, while in its southeast it takes in all of Lough Ramor at the charming lakeside village of Virginia. It also shares Lough Sheelin, that place of legend for the angler, with Westmeath and Meath, while in the far northwest its rugged scenery hints at Donegal. And always throughout its drumlin heartlands you can find many little Cavan lakes which, should the fancy take you, can be called your own at least for the day that's in it.
Local Attractions and Information
Bailieboro Tourism Information +353 (0)42 9666666
Ballyjamesduff
Cavan County Museum +353 (0)49 8544070
Ballyjamesduff
International Pork Festival (June) +353 (0)49 8544242
Belturbet Tourist Office +353 (0)49 9522044
Cavan town Cavan Crystal +353 (0)49 4331800
Cavan town Tourist Information +353 (0)49 4331942
Cootehill
Maudabawn Cultural Centre +353 (0)49 5559504
Killykeen Equestrian Centre +353 (0)49 4361707
Full time BHS Stage 1, 2, 3 and teaching course, together with NCVA certificate course in conjunction with Cavan College of Further Studies. Horses and ponies taken on in livery. A Pony camp operates during school holiday periods. Killykeen Riding Club is based at the centre. Log cabins and Scandinavian style chalets are available for long or short holiday breaks. Open all year.
Mullagh
Lakeview Gardens +353 (0)46 42480
Shannon-Erne Waterway (Ballinamore-Ballyconnell) +353 (0)78 45124
