Attractions

Heritage Sites

Loughcrew Burial Cairns

East of Oldcastle off the R163

Open on Request all year round:
Key to Cairns kept at Loughcrew House & Gardens. Call +353 49 854 1356

Guided Service: May 27th - Start Sept Daily 10.00-18.00
Last admission to Cairn T 45 mins before closing.

t: + 353 49 854 1240 or + 353 87 052 4975

The Cairns are in two groups; Carnbane West, about 15 cairns, including Cairn L which is roofed and contains superb symbolic carvings in good condition. This group is some 2 km walk from the Car Park on gently sloping ground. Carnbane East includes Cairn T, also roofed and with excellent engravings, and is a shorter but steeper walk. The exposed cairns have suffered severely from acid rain erosion, removing much of the relief of the engravings. Keys to both enclosed cairns are available from the Ranger in the Car Park, who also stocks books and leaflets on the sites.

Fore Abbey and Church

Fore ,
Co. Westmeath,

Fore has the most extensive Benedictine remains in Ireland. It is the site of the ruins of St. Fechin's Monastery and was a Benedictine Priory until 1539 when it was suppressed by Henry VIII.

The present building belongs in the main to the 15th century. There are nine ancient crosses within a radius of a mile from the village. Near the foot of Ben Fore (713 feet) is a large moat, reputed to be an early Anglo-Norman Fortification. There are also some slight remains of the walls and gateways which fortified the medieval town of Fore itself.

Across the road is Anchorite's Church, an extension to a cell once occupied by hermits until the 17th century. It is kept locked but the key can be obtained from the Seven Wonders Pub in the village.

Discover the Seven Wonders of Fore for yourself.

1. The water the flows uphill
2. The monastery in a bog
3. The mill without a race
4. The water that won't boil
5. The tree that has three branches or the tree that won't burn
6. The anchorite in a stone
7. The stone raised by St. Fechin's prayers

Heritage Town Trails

Kells Heritage Trail

The Courthouse,
Kells,
Tel: +353 (0)46 9247840
Fax: +353 (0)46 9247684
Email: kellsheritagecentre@eircom.net
Website: www.meathtourism.ie

Begining at the Courthouse thus looped route covers the main heritage points of Kells town.

(1) Kells Courthouse (2) St. John’s Cemetary (3) Kells Town Hall (4) Market Cross (5) St. Columba’s Church and Grounds (6) St. Columcille’s House (7) Fair Green (8) Spire of Loyd (9) Kells Round Tower (10) The Churchyard Wall (11) Old Primary School.

Download Kells Heritage Trail

Moynalty Heritage Trail

Moynalty,
Kells,

Follow us along the Moynalty heritage trail and experience first-hand the traditions and history which make the town so special.

(1) Stone Cross (2) Roman Catholic Church (3) Donore Hoard (4) Moynalty House Gatelodge (5) Boys National School (6) Old Forge (7) Police Barracks (8) Milestone (9) Girls National School (10) Midwife's Home (11) Muintir na Tire Hall (12) Church of Ireland (13) Battle of Salford Bridge (14) Garryard Wood (15) Protestant School (16) Crochawella /Hill of Homes.

Download Moynalty Heritage Trail

Museums/Cultural Centres

St Kilian's Heritage Centre

Mullagh
t: +353 (0)46 964 2433
e: stkiliancentre@eircom.net
Opening times: Easter to Oct Tues-Fri 10am - 6pm & Sat, Sun and Bank Holidays 2pm - 6pm
Adm: Adults €3 Students, OAP's & Groups €2.50

St. Kilian's Heritage Centre celebrates the life, work, martyrdom and cult of St. Kilian who was born in Mullagh in 640 AD. Maps, photographs, statuettes, manuscripts and art reproductions bring to life the work of Irish missionaries in Europe in the 6 th and 7 th centuries. The exhibition also traces the development of Gaelic script for the Ogham writing of the 4 th - 7th centuries and the Wurzburg Glosses ( the earliest example of written Irish c.750 ) to the illuminated script of the Book of Kells.

The audio-visual 15-minute film illustrates the life and martyrdom of Kilian in Wurzburg , his substantial cult following and the Germany/Mullagh connection.

Ogham stones found in Cavan can be seen at the centre. A craft shop and tea room are also available.

Cavan County Museum

Virginia Road, Ballyjamesduff
t: +353 (0)49 854 4070
e: ccmuseum@eircom.net
web: www.cavanmuseum.ie

Housed in a beautiful 19th century building, the museum traces the history of Cavan from pre-history through to rural life in the 1950s. The museum features 18th, 19th and 20th century costume displays, galleries on folk life and the GAA and Camogie Associations. Regular art and photography exhibitions also take place.

Coffee shop, coach parking, gift shop, children’s playground and disabled access. Groups welcome.

Open Farms

Woodfield Open Farm

Rahard, Carnaross, Kells,
Co. Meath,


t: +353 (0)49 8541270
m: (087) 3116793
e: woodfieldopenfarm@gmail.com
web: www.woodfieldopenfarm.com

Woodfield open farm is an excellent place for a family outing. The owners Mary and Dominic have created a place that caters to the needs of every type of visitor. Children will enjoy seeing a wealth of farm animals, puppies, kittens, rabbits, hens, ponies and donkeys while adults will appreciate the great views they can be seen on the nature walk around the farm. The farm also boasts an extensive play area for children and restful coffee shop stocked with a range of home made pastries and cakes.

Killinkere Visitor Farm

Lisnagirl, Virginia,
Co Cavan.


t: +353 (0)49 854 9344
m: (087) 259 6890
e: Killinkerevisitorfarm@yahoo.ie
web: www.killinkerevisitorfarm.ie

It is a real Working Farm in the traditional way, that is small mixed farming including the animals that would have been farmed and used in the area for hundreds of years. Killinkere Visitor Farm also grows crops such as Oats, Potatoes, Flax and all sorts of vegetables to make Killinkere Visitor Farm more interesting. Killinkere Visitor Farm keep about 20 other species of animals not normally found on a small farm such as Llamas, Minature Horses, Chin Chullas, Guinea Pigs, Deer, Rare Birds and Foul.

Causey Farm

Girley, Fordstown, Navan
Co Meath.


t: +353 (0)46 9434135
m: Deirdre +353 87 239 1354
m: Matt +353 87 918 1180
e: info@causey.ie
web: www.causey.ie

Causey Farm is a family-run, fun based venue for a variety of entertainment, tourism and educational programs. Expect Enchanted Fairy Workshops, Wand-making, Crown-making, Make your own pet Troll. Decorating the Traditional May Bush, Giant Bubbles in the Elves Bubble Barn, Treasure Hunt and Den Making. Plus, Tingo Bingo, Pixie Disco, Tell Your Secrets to the Fairy Queen in Her Carriage.

Gardens and Plant Nursery

Lakeview Gardens and Plant Nursery

Mullagh Gates, Mullagh
Co. Cavan,


t: +353 (0)46 42480 ring for appointment
e: jshack@indigo.ie
Web: www.lakeviewgardens.net
www.daphnelevingeshackleton.com

Lakeview Gardens, set in a Cavan landscape of drumlins and lakes, are newly restored, privately owned gardens,filled with plants, many of which are rare and unusual. Planted and maintained in a natural style the atmosphere is calm and peaceful.
The Gardens are worked to organic standards and much of the surrounding farmland is of symbol organic status.

Loughcrew Historic House and Gardens

Oldcastle, Co.Meath


t: +353 (0)49 85 41356
e: info@loughcrew.com
web:www.loughcrew.com/garden.htm

The result of years of restoration can be seen in this stunning garden comprising a magnificent yew walk, a walled garden, a canal and a parterre.

Ballinlough Castle and Gardens

Clonmellon
Co.Westmeath.

t: 353 46 94 33234
m: 353 86 833 5295
e: castle@ballinloughcastle.ie
web:www.ballinloughcastle.ie

The gardens at Ballinlough castle were restored by Sir John and Lady Nugent in 1995 with help from the Great Gardens of Ireland restoration Programme. They include a substantial walled garden with some significant shrubs, roses and climbers. The picturesque lakeside walk, described recently as a botanist as paradise is home to many rare wild flowers making it a superb habitat for butterflies and other interesting fauna.

Grove Gardens & Tropical Bird Sanctuary

Fordstown,
Kells,
Co.Meath.
t: +353 (046) 9434276
e: grovegardens@iolfree.ie
web:www.grovegardenspetfarm.com

The rose garden has over 400 plants of French, English and modern roses. The tropical bird garden and mini zoo is a recent addition to Grove Gardens. A large variety of exotic and rare breeds of birds are housed in purpose built aviaries designed to become part of the gardens and create a unique setting for such a facility. Facilities include tearooms, picnic areas, shop and garden centre. There is full wheelchair access.

Food Markets/Shops

Sheridans Warehouse, Shop & Visitor Centre

Carnaross, Kells
Co. Cavan


t: +353 (0)46 924 5110
e:warehouse@sheridanscheesemongers.com
web: www.sheridanscheesemongers.com

Opening Hours :
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 7pm
Saturday 10am - 6pm

The two Sheridan brothers have loveningly converting an old railway station storehouse on the Virginia Road out of Carnaross into a unit that contained offices, warehouse facilities and the retail outlet..