Carrickmacross

Carrickmacross is a destination in Ulster, Ireland. Carrickmacross (Irish: Carraig Mhachaire Rois) is a market town in County Monaghan, famous for its lace-making tradition. Carrickmacross lace is renowned worldwide and is still produced locally by skilled artisans. The town has a handsome Georgian square, good shops, and a lively market. It is located on the main N2 road between Dublin and Letterkenny.

By Car

The most practical way to reach Carrickmacross is by car. Ulster (IE-U) is best explored with your own transport, as public connections are limited. The main roads are the N15 (Sligo–Donegal–Letterkenny), N13 (Letterkenny–Stranorlar), N14 (Letterkenny–Lifford), and N2 (Dublin–Monaghan–Letterkenny), all of which are good quality. Minor roads in Donegal are often narrow and winding — allow extra travel time.

By Train

There is no rail service within Ulster (IE-U). The nearest train stations are in Sligo (for Donegal) and Dundalk/Drogheda (for Cavan and Monaghan), where connecting buses are available. Irish Rail operates services to these stations from Dublin Connolly and Dublin Heuston.

By Bus

Bus Éireann operates services from Dublin and other major cities to Letterkenny, Donegal Town, Cavan, and Monaghan. Local bus services connect smaller towns but are infrequent, especially on Sundays. Advance route planning is essential, particularly for reaching remote coastal areas.

By Air

Donegal Airport (CFN) at Carrickfinn has flights from Dublin operated by Aer Lingus Regional. Ireland West Airport Knock (NOC) in County Mayo is an alternative for visitors to south Donegal. Dublin Airport (DUB) is about 2–2.5 hours' drive from Cavan and Monaghan.

Carrickmacross is compact enough to explore on foot. For exploring the surrounding countryside and nearby attractions, a car is essential. The region's public transport network is limited, so advance planning is necessary for bus-based travel. In Donegal, the stunning coastal scenery rewards drivers willing to take the slower, more scenic routes.

Dundalk for Castle Roche and other antiquities further east.

Dún na Rí Forest Park is 10 km southwest on R179, see Kingscourt .

Nuremore Golf Club is a parkland course within the hotel, see Sleep. Blue tees are 5870 yards, par 71.

Fishing: lots of small lakes for coarse angling.

Carrickmacross Festival .

Entertainers, arts and crafts, kids entertainment, live music over four days in early, on two stages.   ( updated Aug 2024 )

Patrick Kavanagh Weekend is held in Iniskeen in early Oct, see Centre for details. It is a celebration of the life and work of one of Ireland’s most famous and loved poets.

Courthouse Restaurant ,

1 Monaghan Place, Carrickmacross

( opposite Shirley Arms ),

☏

+353 42 969 2848 .

F Sa 5-8PM, Su 2-7PM .

Good dining on trad and continental fare.   ( updated May 2021 )

Cavallino's ,

20 Farney St, Carrickmacross A81 HK16 ,

☏

+353 42 966 4925 .

W-Su 5-9:30PM .

Friendly place for Italian cuisine.   ( updated May 2021 )

Red Door Cafe at 2 Cross St is open W-F 8:30AM-4PM, Sa Su 9:30AM-4PM. It no longer offers B&B.

Markey's on Main St is open M-Sa 12:30-3PM.

Main St pubs are JJ Cunningham, The Dugout, Deery's, Nallo's, McArdle's, Shevlin's, Dusty O'Neill's, Boylan's and Hughes, with Callan's south edge of town.

Old Carrick Mill at Derrylavan distils whiskey (not yet on the market) and gin; no tours.

Shirley Arms Hotel ,

Main St, Carrickmacross A81 NF24 ,

☏

+353 42 967 3100 .

Grand Georgian building at the head of Main St, gets good reviews for service and food.

B&B double €140 .   ( updated May 2021 )

Brookville Manor ,

Lisanisk, Carrickmacross A81 NF24

( off R179, no direct access from N2 ),

☏

+353 42 966 4871 .

Smart friendly B&B east side of town.

B&B double €90 .   ( updated May 2021 )

Nuremore Hotel & Country Club ,

Nure More, Carrickmacross A81 V521

( 1 km south by Lough Na Glack ),

☏

+353 42 966 1438 .

Good spa and country club hotel, walking distance to town.

B&B double €140 .   ( updated May 2021 )

The Riverbank ,

Killany, Carrickmacross A81 XR88 ,

☏

+353 41 685 5883 .

Country pub and restaurant with rooms, just across the boundary into County Louth. Food served W-Sa 5-9:30PM, Su 12:30-9PM.

B&B double €90 .   ( updated May 2021 )

Connect

As of May 2021, Carrickmacross and its approach roads have 5G from Eir, and 4G from Three and Vodafone.

Main St has a small shopping centre and a collection of East European stores. There are ATMs outside AIB and Bank of Ireland.

The main stores and filling stations are 1 km south on R179 Ardee Rd. Aldi is open M-F 9AM-10PM, Sa Su 9AM-9PM, and Lidl is open M-Sa 8AM-10PM, Su 9AM-9PM.

Monaghan has the county museum.

Head through Clones on the border to Lisnaskea and Enniskillen on the scenic Erne lakes.

Dundalk is industrial but has beaches to the south. Northeast is Colley Peninsula and routes to the Mourne Mountains .

Kells has remains of the abbey that for centuries housed the Book of Kells, now on display in TCD Library in Dublin.

Routes through Carrickmacross

Derry

←

Monaghan

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  N     S  

→

Slane

→

Dublin

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