County Monaghan
With a population of 52,000, Monaghan has five main towns - the principal town being Monaghan itself. The earliest traces of civilisation in the area dates back to before the Bronze Age. Throughout the early middle ages the county was controlled by a variety of Gaelic Clans and septs. These included the O'Carrolls, McKennas and McMahons, who despite being enemies of the O'Neills of Armagh, put aside their differences and fought side by side in the Nine Years War against the English.
Unlike the majority of Ulster, Monaghan was relatively untouched during the Ulster Plantation. It wasn't until after the Cromwellian wars that the county actually transferred to the hands of the English. Much of the land was granted to soldiers, or was bought from the local chieftains for a fraction of what they were worth. Firmly making a mark on their newfound communities, these settlers levelled the local forests, building new towns and villages as they went.
County Monaghan is remarkable for the great number of its little hills. Only a few rise higher than 1,000 feet, but from many points there are good views over the well - tilled, undulating countryside with its lakes set here and there between the hills.
Monaghan formed part of the ancient territory of Oriel, and was known as the MacMahon country because of the dominance of that powerful clan. From the 13th to the 16th century the MacMahon family controlled Monaghan, but in 1589 control passed to the British crown. Monaghan is in the traditional province of Ulster in northeastern Ireland bordered on the northwest, north, and northeast by Northern Ireland and on the southeast, south, and southwest by counties Louth, Meath, and Cavan. The county covers 1,290 sq km (498 sq mi).
It is the perfect destination for the serious angler, casual golfer, walker or cyclist who prefers the peace and quiet of winding country lanes. This is a county of great cultural and artistic wealth, with several bronze age megalithic sites and pre-historic remains. The poet Patrick Kavanagh found his early inspiration here at Inniskeen, where there is now an information centre on his poetry and life. The famous lace-making towns of Carrickmacross and Clones are world renowned for their traditional crafts. Recent developments include the re-opening of Monaghan County Museum, Lough Muckno and the leisure park at Castleblaney. Visitors to County Monaghan will be surprised at the diverse range of activities and entertainment available to all in this beautiful area.
