County Cavan
Many people think that County Cavan is a part of Northern Ireland, but that is not true. It is actually one of nine counties located in the Province of Ulster. It is located in the North Midlands part of the country and has a rather small population of only about 64,000 residents.
The county is somewhat isolated from modern tourism with long distances separating its two major towns of Cavan and Belturbet. Both are located on the N3 highway that links County Cavan to Dublin, but they are located about 80 miles apart, making it a long commute to visit both.
Cavan County has a diverse terrain. It is home to the Cuilcagh Mountain which stands 2,188 feet tall and is the highest point in the county. There are also several rivers and streams within the boundaries of County Cavan, providing for much in the way of recreational activities for the visitor. The county is home to the Shannon-Erne Waterway, a complex of 62.5 kilometres comprising lakes and rivers, as well as canal sections. It has 16 fully-automated locks, along with 34 stone bridges, and it is Europe’s longest navigable inland waterway.
The Shannon-Erne provides a wide variety of activities for the tourist. It is a haven for cruisers and boaters, as well as providing many opportunities for fishing, horseback riding, walking, cycling and golfing along its banks. In fact, the county is home to several championship-level golf courses. The fishing is great too, with coarse angling being the area’s biggest draw. However, one can also fish for brown trout in the area as well.
Surrounding this waterway area is a variety of landscapes containing much in the way of plants and wildlife. There are also several points of interest for the avid sightseer, including sites of archaeological and historic significance.
Other recreational diversions in County Cavan include the Outdoors and Dirty (ODD) Extreme Activity Gamespark. This is a neat facility that will please all members of the family, offering mud buggies and power-turns for hire. There is also an elaborate laser war game system and a laser clay shooting system contained within the park. Hovercraft rides are also available.
For something a bit more sedate, there is the Tanagh Outdoor Education Centre. While primarily a facility for school and summer camp groups, tourists can avail themselves of its amenities as well for either one day, for the weekend, or even for week-long programs. Activities here include canoeing, banana boat rides, walking tours, abseiling and hill walking amongst some of the most breathtaking scenery in all of Ireland.
Aside from being awash in outdoor activities, County Cavan also has a wide selection of accommodation available for the tourist. These include traditional hotels, as well as quaint bed-and-breakfast type inns. There are also plenty of restaurants located in the town centre. Many of the local eateries also offer up entertainment in the evenings, as well as dancing and rousing singing along to live Irish music.
County Cavan has a long history that goes back several centuries. It was originally settled by planters who farmed in the area. In later decades, however, the town enjoyed some degree of affluence thanks to the linen industry that took hold in the area and caused the population to swell. However, with the famine came the shrinking of the county’s population and today it remains one of the smallest population centres of all of Ireland’s traditional counties.
While County Cavan is rather sparsely populated, when you compare it with other counties, it is one of the most popular because of the great wealth of things that it has to offer. The diverse typography of the county allows it to contain amenities for everybody, from flatlands for the serious walker, to mountains for the serious sportsman. Because of its close proximity to immense waterways, it offers lots to do for the whole family and water-related activities abound here.
One of the best reasons to visit Cavan is because it makes for a wonderful family vacation that will be pleasing to all. Try catching some fish for the evening’s dinner, or maybe rent a sailboat or a cruiser and get out on the water. Or, visit one of the nature or adventure centres nearby for some good friendly family competition. And when you get thirsty, it’s never very far to travel to get a cold frosty glass of that famous Irish brew.