Things to Do in Cavan & Local Attractions
Be sure to check out Failte Irelands Hidden Heartland Campaign by clicking here.
From Europe’s largest green space to the longest defined coastal touring route in the world, Ireland is a country brimming with fun and fascinating ways to spend your days. Discover just the right mountain to climb, painting to pore over, sports team to cheer on, or whatever else takes your fancy.
A wealth of our Counties attractions have been featured in this new campaign so we advise all our guests visiting Cavan to take a look.
Popular Attractions
Cavan Adventure Centre
Cavan Adventure Centre offers numerous activities such as kayaking, canoeing, biking and SUP both on site and at Killykeen Forest Park. An outdoor inflatable waterpark is open during summer months. Also offered on site are Biodiversity Tours, Wellbeing Days and Guided Boat Tours. t: +353 (0)49 489 3630 e: info@cavanadventurecentre.ie W: www.cavanadventure.ie
Cuilcagh Boardwalk Trail
Classed as the 'Stairway to Heaven' by the thousands of tourists that have taken the trail, it has becoming the must do trail for anyone in the area. With a round trip of 14.8Km and an estimated trail time of 6 hours in total, its more suited to anyone with a healthy fitness level. The trail meanders along a quiet farmland track before traversing a wooden boardwalk that consists of a steady climb to the mountain face. Here a stepped boardwalk climbs through steep terrain and boulders fields before reaching the summit. The imposing mountain flanks of Cuilcagh give the walk a very atmospheric feeling providing breathtaking views, the most impressive view is of Lough Atona, a lake nestled at the foot of the mountain which was carved out by the glacier during the last Ice Age approximately 13,000 years ago. For more information, please click here.
Marble Arch Caves
Located on the same Geopark as the Cuilcagh Trail in Fermanagh, The Marble Arch Caves are known as one of Europe's finest showcaves and allow visitors to explore a fascinating and natural underworld of rivers, winding passages and lofty chambers. The Informative guides conduct tours past a bewildering variety of cave formations. Stalactites glisten above steamways and chambers, while the fagile mineral veils and cascades of creamy calcite coat walls and create shimmeing terraces. Spectacular walkways give easy access and the powerfull lightening reveals the stunning beauty and grandeur of the caves. The electronically powered boats glide through the huge caverns carring visitors along the subterranean river. The duration of tours can depend on the levels of water within the cave, so it is advised to call ahead to ensure access is available. Pre-booking is essential. T: +442866321815 W:https://www.marblearchcavesgeopark.com/
Cavan County Museum
Cavan County Museum, housed in a beautiful Georgian building and built in the 1880s', has an extensive collection of galleries which celebrate the heritage and culture of the county and its environs since its first inhabitants up to the present day. It also has a large collection of Farnham artefacts which were kindly loaned to the museum by the Farnham Family. Historical heirlooms and family portraits are on display throughout the building. The museum's Eden Gallery frequently displays art and photography exhibitions. With indoor and outdoor exhibitions and a children's playground beside the museum, it is an ideal location for a family day out.
Virginia Road, Ballyjamesduff t: +353 (0)49 854 4070
e: info@cavanmuseum.ie w: www.cavanmuseum.ie
Cavan Equestrian Centre
Cavan Equestrian Centre specialises in Horse & Pony International Performance Sales involving Showjumpers, Hunters and Eventers. The centre also stages weekly show jumping events and national and international showjumping events.
Latt, Cavan
t: +353 (0)49 433 2017 e: info@cavanequestrian.ie w: www.cavanequestrian.com
Walking Attractions
Killykeen Forest Park
Five miles west of Cavan town is Killykeen Forest Park, in the heart of Cavan's lakelands. Marked trails lead into the dark forests where visitors can view the park's fauna and flora, disturbed only by the sound of birdsong and the rippling waters of Lough Erne. Killykeen is a special place in all seasons and at all times.
Erica's Fairy Forest
Erica's Fairy Forest is a magical, Fairy Forest dedicated to the memory of Erica Ní Draighneain, (2010-2016). This Fairy Forest, will have that same sense of wonder and delight in all things magical.
Just like Erica.
Arts & Theatre
The arts scene is vibrant in County Cavan with a variety of local music and cultural festivals taking place throughout the year. The Dancing in the Drumlins Set Dancing Festival takes place in January while both the County Drama Festival and the NYAH Traditional Arts Festival take place annually in March.
Traditional music sessions frequently take place throughout the county with the Wednesday night session in the Farnham Arms Hotel on the Main Street in Cavan town a favourite.
For a full list of festivals and events in Cavan please visit the Events page on this website. Click here to visit the Cavan Arts website.
The Ramor Theatre
Main St, Virginia t: +353 (0)49 854 7074
e: ramortheatre@cavancoco.ie w: www.ramortheatre.ie
The Ramor Theatre in Virginia is a fully equipped performance venue which operates a full programme of music, drama and dance events. The programme includes jazz, traditional, opera, contemporary, drama and classical www.ramortheatre.ie
The Shannon – Erne Waterway
The Shannon-Erne Waterway links the great rivers of Shannon and Erne, connecting Counties Cavan and Leitrim. It traverses 62.5 kms of lake and river and still canal sections. The waterway has 16 fully automatic locks, 34 stone bridges and 6 fully serviced mooring areas and is Europe's longest navigable Inland waterway.
The waterway exquisitely weaves together the streams, rivers and lakes picturesquely scattered between Leitrim Village and the River Erne. The Waterway meets the Erne at Belturbet in County Cavan and from there; the vast expanse of the River Erne is open to you. The variety of landscape and wildlife, as well as the great historical and archaeological sites en route, guarantee your enjoyment of this superb and peaceful waterway.
The River Erne
Eighty-four km of the majestic River Erne is navigable from Belturbet to Belleek in Co Fermanagh. There is only one lock on the system, Portora Lock. Services are located at many locations along the river. It is truly unspoilt and tranquil leisure oriented expanse of water for boating enthusiasts and game and coarse anglers.
Share Discovery Village
Located on the beautiful shores of Upper Lough Erne, around 30 minutes from the hotel, you can find a variety of activities to choose from at Share Discovery Village, Lisnaskea. SHARE are a lakeside charity who offer accessibility to all! Here, you are sure to find an activity that you will love, whether you prefer a relaxing trip exploring the majestic Fermanagh Lakelands or an exhilarating adventure to get your heart racing! Choose from water activities such as their thrilling Water Park, banana boating, kayaking or windsurfing. Land activities include archery, combat corps, mountain biking and various arts & crafts. Alternatively, you can book on to The Inishcruiser and explore the many islands speckled throughout Lough Erne as well as take in historical views such as Crom Castle.
W: https://sharevillage.org/ T:0044 (0)28 6772 122 E: info@sharevillage.org
Further Information
For maps and guides to both the Shannon - Erne Waterway and River Erne, visit the website of Waterways Ireland www.waterwaysireland.org or the Inland Waterways Association of Ireland www.iwai.ie
Cruise Hire Companies
Emerald Star
Belturbet, Co Cavan
t: +353 (0)71 962 7633
e: info@emeraldstar.ie
web: www.emeraldstar.ie
Kingfisher Boating Holidays
Belturbet, Co Cavan
Contact: Quivy Marina
t: +353 (0)86 6383923
e: info@boatingholidaysireland.com
For further information on activities in Co Cavan please click here
Christian Heritage Sites – Co Cavan
St. Kilian's Heritage Centre
Mullagh, Co Cavan t: +353 (0)46 924 2433 e: stkiliancentre@eircom.net
St. Kilian's Heritage Centre celebrates the life and times of Kilian, a 7th Century saint born in Mullagh. During his mission to modern-day Germany, Kilian was martyred, and is now one of the patron saints of Wurzburg in Germany. His life and death are represented through artifacts and an audio-visual presentation in the heritage centre.
Ogham stones found in Cavan can be seen at the centre. A craft shop, tourist information point and tea room with home-made tea, scones and apple tarts is available. Mullagh is located 10km from Virginia on the R194. Virginia is located on the main N3 (future M3) Dublin – Cavan – Donegal Road.
Opening times : Easter to Oct: Tues-Fri 10am - 6pmSat, Sun and Bank Holidays 2pm - 6pm
Adm : Adults €3 Students, OAPs & Groups, €2.50
Cathedral of St. Feidhlimidh
Kilmore, Cavan, Co. Cavan t: +353 (0)49 433 7168 or +353 (0)49 433 1918
The Cathedral is situated on a wooded hill not far from the shores of Lough Oughter. According to tradition, it is in this picturesque landscape of that St. Fethlimidh founded a small church in the 6th century.
In 1152 the first Cathedral was built in the vicinity and in 1454, the parish church of Kilmore became the Cathedral. Following the reformation in the 16th century, it continued as a Cathedral for the Church of Ireland. The present Cathedral was completed in 1860. Kilmore is located on the right 5km from Cavan town on the R198.
Drumlane Abbey Milltown, Co. Cavan
Drumlane monastic site is located just outside the small village of Milltown, about 4 miles from Belturbet. The monastery occupies a very scenic site on the edge of Derrybrick Lake. It was reputedly founded by St. Mogue, the Bishop of Ferns, in the 6th century, though some have argued that St. Columcille was the original founder and that St. Mogue simply re-established it.
About 150 metres from the church there are a series of earthworks which probably represent the remains of the 12th Century Augustinian Priory. The Priory may have been demolished after the suppression of the monasteries in the 15th and 16th centuries. Drumlane Abbey is located 1km outside the village of Milltown not far from Belturbet.