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Local Areas of Interest
Trinity Abbey: A hidden piece of history on your doorstop. Follow the walk from Trinity Haven around Trinity lake until you see the remains of Trinity Abbey, dating back to the 13th Century. Legend has it that Oliver Cromwell destroyed the Abbey shooting a cannonball from an overlooking hill. It is believed that the monks buried their treasures around the abbey before the invasion. To date, nothing has been found! Unfortunately, the Abbey is very much a ruin, however, a doorway from the Abbey was rescued and can be seen in nearby Kilmore Cathedral.
Killykeen Forest Park:
An enjoyable 2 mile walk can be had from Trinity Haven to the entrance to Killykeen Forest Park. Driving takes less than 10 minutes. Within the Forest Park, as you stroll along the forest road, keep your eyes peeled for rabbits and foxes. Take a well-deserved rest on one of the many benches along Killykeen lake, and watch the contented faces of the fishermen as the unsuspecting perch and bream jump.
Lough Oughter:
Lough Oughter, synonymous with the monastic settlement on Trinity Island, once sustained a substantial resident native population around its shores back to the earliest times of settlement with several identified island crannog locations and megalithic wedge tomb structures. With the arrival of the Anglo Normans, the impressive Clogh Oughter Castle was built which stands on a tiny island in Lough Oughter from the thirteenth century. The Castle is circular in construction, some 15.5 metres in outside diameter, and standing around 18 metres high. The nearest shore is approximately 130 metres away close to the narrowest part of the lough at Inishconnell Rinn Point. Clogh Oughter castle has been at the centre of much of County Cavan's turbulent history and was probably built originally to protect the clan O'Reilly chieftains from their warring neighbours. During the seventeenth century the castle changed hands several times and was one of the last defended castles to hold out during the Confederate Wars. Before this Clogh Oughter castle was used as a prison, notably the Anglican Bishop of Kilmore, "William Bedell" was held hostage here and rebel leader Owen Rua O'Neil is reputed to have died here in 1649, having used the castle as a refuge. The rebel army were finally defeated in 1653, afterwhich the lofty walls of Clogh Oughter castle were breached by cannon shot and have remained unoccupied ever since, apart from nesting crows and water fowl.
Lough Oughter, synonymous with the monastic settlement on Trinity Island, once sustained a substantial resident native population around its shores back to the earliest times of settlement with several identified island crannog locations and megalithic wedge tomb structures. With the arrival of the Anglo Normans, the impressive Clogh Oughter Castle was built which stands on a tiny island in Lough Oughter from the thirteenth century. The Castle is circular in construction, some 15.5 metres in outside diameter, and standing around 18 metres high. The nearest shore is approximately 130 metres away close to the narrowest part of the lough at Inishconnell Rinn Point. Clogh Oughter castle has been at the centre of much of County Cavan's turbulent history and was probably built originally to protect the clan O'Reilly chieftains from their warring neighbours. During the seventeenth century the castle changed hands several times and was one of the last defended castles to hold out during the Confederate Wars. Before this Clogh Oughter castle was used as a prison, notably the Anglican Bishop of Kilmore, "William Bedell" was held hostage here and rebel leader Owen Rua O'Neil is reputed to have died here in 1649, having used the castle as a refuge. The rebel army were finally defeated in 1653, afterwhich the lofty walls of Clogh Oughter castle were breached by cannon shot and have remained unoccupied ever since, apart from nesting crows and water fowl.
Kilmore Cathedral:
Built in the 6th or 7th century, Kilmore Cathedral is home to the tomb of Bishop Bedell who completed the work of translating the Bible to Irish. The 12th century Romanesque doorway is the cathedrals finest feature and is an example of architecture from the middle ages. The Cathedrals most colorful points are the stain glass windows. There is also an example of a motte and Bailey in the field adjacent to the site.
Built in the 6th or 7th century, Kilmore Cathedral is home to the tomb of Bishop Bedell who completed the work of translating the Bible to Irish. The 12th century Romanesque doorway is the cathedrals finest feature and is an example of architecture from the middle ages. The Cathedrals most colorful points are the stain glass windows. There is also an example of a motte and Bailey in the field adjacent to the site.
Cavan Cathedral:
Cavan Cathedral was built between the years 1938 and 1942, and was one of the last of the huge Roman Catholic cathedrals built in Ireland from the 1850s onwards. Unlike most Irish cathedrals, it is neo-classical in style with a single spire rising to 230 feet. The portico consists of a tympanum supported by four massive columns of Portland stone with Corinthian caps. The tympanum figures of Christ, St Patrick and St Felim were executed by the Dublin sculptor, Edward Smith. The twenty eight columns in the Cathedral, the pulpit on the south side and all the statues are of Pavinazetto marble and came from the firm of Dinelli Figli of Pietrasanta in Italy.
Cavan Cathedral was built between the years 1938 and 1942, and was one of the last of the huge Roman Catholic cathedrals built in Ireland from the 1850s onwards. Unlike most Irish cathedrals, it is neo-classical in style with a single spire rising to 230 feet. The portico consists of a tympanum supported by four massive columns of Portland stone with Corinthian caps. The tympanum figures of Christ, St Patrick and St Felim were executed by the Dublin sculptor, Edward Smith. The twenty eight columns in the Cathedral, the pulpit on the south side and all the statues are of Pavinazetto marble and came from the firm of Dinelli Figli of Pietrasanta in Italy.
Drumlane Monastic Site, Milltown
Sitting between Drumlane and Derrybrick Loughs are the remains of a 6th century monastery founded by St.Mogue, the bishop of ferns. The round tower is one of the most striking features of the site, standing over 11m high. Look for the carving of birds on the external wall. The church features a number of interesting stone heads, one above the door in the west wall and another three on the external face of the west window
Sitting between Drumlane and Derrybrick Loughs are the remains of a 6th century monastery founded by St.Mogue, the bishop of ferns. The round tower is one of the most striking features of the site, standing over 11m high. Look for the carving of birds on the external wall. The church features a number of interesting stone heads, one above the door in the west wall and another three on the external face of the west window
