County Cavan

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Considering it derives its name from the Irish for 'hollow', it is perhaps appropriate that there are a lot of hollows throughout County Cavan, mostly filled with water! Indeed, they say that there is a lake in Cavan for every day of the year and water is undoubtedly the outstanding feature of the county.

It is, therefore, an absolute heaven for coarse anglers who come from all over Europe to enjoy what Cavan has to offer and there's also game fishing for enthusiasts of that particular style of fishing too.

History and Heritage

Cavan, it is said, has been inhabited for over 5,000 years, and it is rich in archaeological sites and artificial islands or Crannogs on which people lived. Missionaries converted the County to Christianity in the 6th Century and a thousand years later, Cavan had been settled by planters from England and Scotland who laid the foundations for towns and villages such as Belturbet, Killeshandra and Virginia.

It later prospered with the growth of the linen industry, with a population four times the current figure, but like so many parts of Ireland, the Famine was devastating and widespread emigration returned it to its former rural setting.

Cavan has also been home to leading names in the literary, music and arts spheres, such as composer Percy French, actor T.P.McKenna and pacifist and women's rights campaigner Francis Sheehy Skeffington.

Sites to see

Cavan County Museum, Cavan Crystal – traditional craftsmanship and culture Genealogical Research Centre, Marble Arch Caves (in neighbouring Fermanagh).

Sports and Leisure

If you like water, you'll love Cavan. It's a fisherman's paradise, with the myriad of lakes and rivers teeming with a wide variety of fish but for those who prefer more movement in their leisure time, Cavan is one of the most popular places for boating and other water-based activities.

It is, for instance, possible to captain your own cruiser from Belturbet and navigate Ireland's longest river, the Shannon, which rises in Dowra, County Cavan.

For those who prefer dry land, the Cavan Equestrian Centre may be more of an attraction. It s the largest of its kind in Ireland and has events almost every weekend and auctions several times a year.

Cavan also has many fine parkland courses for the avid golfer such as the Slieve Russell in Ballyconnell or the Cabra Castle in Kingscourt.

Eat, Drink and Stay

There's no shortage of B&B accommodation in Cavan and as visitor numbers increase, there is a growing choice of places to eat and drink too. Indeed, Cavan has several award-winning restaurants in its midst, the best known perhaps being McNean's Bistro in Blacklion, where TV celebrity chef Neven Maguire prepares sumptuous culinary delights.

Other notables include the Olde Post Inn at Cloverhill, and Polo D and The Angler's Rest, both in Ballyconnell, and the Derragarra Inn in Butlersbridge. Pub grub is widely available in the numerous pubs dotted around the county.

Festivals

June: International Pork Festival, Ballyjamesduff Festival of the Lakes, Killeshandra Rainbow Culture Festival, Ballyjamesduff

July: Bailieborough Agricultural Show Festival of the Erner, Belturbet

August: Heritage Week (all county)

Things you have to see or do

Killykeen Forest Park – with extensive nature trails

Cavan Way – sign-posted 17mile route through rugged terrain

Cathedral Church of St. Fethlimidh – Kilmore, with its impressive stained glass windows

Cuilcagh Mountain Park – with its protected peatland habitats

Jampa Ling Buddhist Centre – Bawnboy, for quiet reflections on life

Maudabawn Cultural Centre – Cootehill

Useful links

Cavan Tourism www.cavantourism.com

North West Regional Tourism www.irelandnorthwest.ie

Tourism Ireland www.tourismireland.com

Brilliant Ireland www.brilliantireland.com