Monaghan

Monaghan is a destination in Ulster, Ireland. Monaghan (Irish: Muineachán) is the county town of County Monaghan, a lively market and service centre. The town has a handsome Georgian core with a prominent courthouse and the St Macartan's Cathedral. Monaghan is known for its strong connection to the poet Patrick Kavanagh, who is celebrated in the local arts centre. The town has good shops, restaurants, and pubs, and serves as a gateway to the drumlin landscape of the county.

By Car

The most practical way to reach Monaghan 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.

Monaghan 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.

Town centre is The Diamond. Nearby note the ornate Rossmore Monument, the Dawson Monument and St Patrick's Church. Patena Lake is north side of the centre.

Monaghan County Museum ,

Monaghan Peace Campus, North Road .

M-F 11AM-5PM, Sa noon-5PM .

Excellent local museum with large collection, including the War of Independence in Monaghan. In 2024, it relocated into the newly constructed Monaghan Peace Campus, allowing more space for exhibits.

Free .   ( updated Nov 2024 )

St Macartan's Cathedral ,

20 Old Armagh Rd .

M-F 8AM-4PM .

Neo-Gothic Roman Catholic cathedral built 1861-92 in local limestone, with an 81-m spire.

Free .   ( updated May 2021 )

Ulster Canal south of town closed in 1931 and is just an overgrown gully. Work is under way to re-open it, although the section to Monaghan town will not open for some time: see County Monaghan#See for the story. A greenway has been constructed along the route of the canal through Monaghan town.

Rossmore Forest Park ,

Skeagarvey

( 3 km southwest of town on R189 ).

24 hours .

This was the estate of Rossmore Castle, a sprawling Gothic mock-castle abandoned around 1950 and demolished in 1975. It's now a ple

Nothing to lose but their chains

In the revolutionary fervour following the Bolshevik coup in Russia, several places elsewhere set up "soviets" — communist governing committees of "workers and peasants". Ireland's soviets were against the backdrop of the war for independence from Britain, and the first, in Feb 1919, was in Monaghan Lunatic Asylum. It was more like a staff lock-in, and they won a reduction of their working week from 93 to 56 hours, a pay rise, and the right to go home when their shift ended.

Market House ,

Market Square .

Elegant building originally constructed in 1792, converted into a theatre and arts centre in 2002.  

Garage Theatre ,

Monaghan Education Campus

( just off the N12 Armagh Road ),

☏

+353 47 39777 .

M-F 10AM-2PM .

Theatre on the outskirts of town, moved into current premises in 2013.  

Coral Leisure Centre ,

Clones Road

( 500 m west of town centre ).

Contains a gym, pool, fitness classes and tennis courts.  

Cinema: the Omniplex is on the retail park 2 km west of town along N54 Clones Rd. ( see Buy )

Golf:

Rossmore Golf Club

( 3 km south of town on R188 ).

18 hole golf course. Blue tees are 5962 yards, par

Andy's Bar & Restaurant ,

12 Market St, Monaghan H18 N772

( opposite County Museum ),

☏

+353 47 82277 .

Tu-F 4-9:30PM, Sa 2-9:30PM, Su 11:30AM-8:30PM .

Charmingly decorated bar, the restaurant serves modern Irish / continental cuisine.   ( updated May 2021 )

The Diamond and Dublin St is the main strip, with Monaghan Spice , Squealing Pig and various takeaways. Tuscany Restaurant is a block west on Church Square.

An Poc Fada is a pub and entertainment venue on North Rd, open M-Th 4-11:30PM, F-Su noon-12:30AM.

Others that side of town are Tir na nOg, Andy's (see above), Terry's, Jimmy's and Courthouse Bar. McCaughey's is an off-licence not a pub.

Around The Diamond and Dublin St are Squealing Pig (see above), McManus, Shifty Mulhares, McKenna's, Peaky Blinders, Mickey Mick's and Shambles Bar.

There isn't a hostel, campsite or caravan park nearby. Caravan owners head off to the coast around Dundalk.

Ashleigh House ,

37 Dublin St, Monaghan H18 NY72 ,

☏

+353 47 81227 .

Friendly B&B in town centre, clean and comfy with all rooms en suite. Free street parking 200 m away.

B&B double €100 .   ( updated May 2021 )

Other B&Bs are south along Dublin Rd and Old Armagh Rd.

Westenra Arms Hotel ,

The Diamond, Monaghan H18 XA97 ,

☏

+353 47 74400 .

Trad mid-range hotel in Georgian building in town centre.

B&B double €120 .   ( updated May 2021 )

Hillgrove Hotel ,

Old Armagh Rd, Monaghan H18 RK15 ,

☏

+353 47 81288 .

Reliable mid-range hotel with spa.

B&B double €120 .   ( updated May 2021 )

Four Seasons Hotel ,

Coolshannagh, Monaghan H18 Y220

( 1 km north of town, west of N2 roundabout ),

☏

+353 47 81888 .

Smart modern hotel with good dining, refurbished in 2020; it's not connected to the Four Seasons international chain. The leisure club pool is large, the gym is small but well-equipped.

B&B double €130 .   ( updated May 2021 )

Castle Leslie ,

Glaslough H18 RX05

( 1 km from border with Armagh ),

☏

+353 47 88100 .

Gran

Monaghan Shopping Centre ,

Dawson Street .

Small local shopping centre, contains Tesco Metro.  

Monaghan Retail Park ,

Clones Road

( 2 km west of town centre ).

Cavan Town is at the heart of the drumlin belt, with lakes studded with islats.

Dundalk on the coast is industrial but has good beaches and medieval ruins within a few km.

Armagh across the border has long been the ecclesiastical centre of Ireland.

Routes through Monaghan

Derry

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Omagh ← continues as

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  NW     S  

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Carrickmacross

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Dublin

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  SW     NE  

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→ Armagh

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Belfast

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