Things to do

in Cavan!

Things to do in Cavan!

With a unique and vibrant character, County Cavan is undoubtedly one of Ireland’s best-kept secrets. Breath-taking landscapes, rich culture and a thriving hospitality scene combine to make Cavan a feast for the soul;whether rest and relaxation, adrenaline-fuelled activity or simple family fun, it’s got something for everyone.

Refresh your spirits in County Cavan, a County with an ancient and colourful heritage. Enjoy a hot stone massage at a luxury spa or a round of golf at a championship golf course. Experience the finest of food at one of our many award-winning restaurants. Discover spectacular scenery, wonderful fishing, cruising and activities.

Go walking amidst lake-dotted countryside or canoeing through the interweaving channels of Lough Oughter. Whatever you’re after, it’s all here in Cavan, the perfect place for tranquillity and activity.

Check out Wildflower Glamping situated only 10 minutes from us here at Carafin Activity Park. The perfect place to get close to nature and relax after a day of fun at the park!

Visitor Information

Cavan Tourist Information Office
Cavan Tourist Office, Johnston Central Library
Farnham Street, Cavan
t: +353 (0)49 433 1942
e: fun@thisiscavan.ie
www.thisiscavan.ie

Getting here

Located on the main N3 Dublin-Donegal road, Cavan town is centrally located between Belfast and Dublin — approximately a two hour drive from the main ferry ports and airports in both cities.

By Car:
Dublin – Cavan 114 km
Belfast – Cavan 142 km
Galway – Cavan 170 km
Derry – Cavan 156 km

By Bus:
Regular buses from Dublin and Donegal service Virginia and Cavan town.
Cavan town is also serviced regularly from Belfast, Sligo and Galway.

For further information visit www.buseireann.ie or contact the Cavan office of Bus Eireann at:
t: +353 (0) 49 433 1353 or 433 2533
e: info@buseireann.ie

Grab a bite!

Situated close to us here at Carafin Activity Park is Murph’s Gastro Pub in Butlersbridge. Perfect for a bite to eat after a day of adventure at Carafin Activity Park!

Forest Parks

Killykeen Forest Park, Cavan
www.coillteoutdoors.ie

Located just outside Cavan town and close to Killeshandra, Killykeen is popular with families, bird watchers, walkers, anglers and boaters. A picturesque forest park wrapped around the Lough Oughter lake system with a network of forest walks, picnic areas, a swimming area, family cycle trail (3km) and multi-access trails and paths. The famous Clough Oughter from the shore of the park.

Equestrian Activities

Cavan’s beautiful and rugged countryside can also be enjoyed from the saddle. See below for details of excellent riding schools offering a variety of activities from trekking to hourly lessons.

Cavan Equestrian Centre,
Latt, Cavan
www.cavanequestrian.com
t: +353 (0)49 433 2017
e: info@cavanequestrian.com

Cavan Equestrian Centre specialises in Horse & Pony International Performance Sales involving Show Jumpers, Hunters and Eventers. The centre also stages weekly show jumping events and national and international showjumping events. See www.cavantourism.com for dates of shows.

Golf

Slieve Russell Hotel Golf a Country Club, Ballyconnell
t: +353 49 952 6444
18 holes
Par: 72
Length: 7053 yards

County Cavan Golf Club, Drumelis, Cavan
t: +353 49 433 1541
18 holes
Par: 70
Length: 5632 metres

Belturbet Golf Club, Erne Hill, Belturbet
t: +353 49 952 2287
9 holes
Par: 68
Length: 5347 yards

Visitor Attractions

Cuilcagh Lakelands Global Geopark

The Geopark inhabits the rugged uplands and the gentle lowlands of West Cavan and Fermanagh.
Recognised by UNESCO to have exceptional geological heritage, the Geopark showcases some of the finest natural landscapes in Ireland. Waterfalls, old abbeys, megalithic tombs, forests and amazing show caves are among some of the attractions.
Creepy crawly days, heritage trails, fossil fun days, guided walks and scavenger hunts are some of the events on offer. Carafin Activity Park are a proud business network member of Cuilcagh Lakelands Geopark.
Visit www.cuilcaghlakelands.org

Cavan County Museum Ballyjamesduff
www.cavanmuseum.ie
t: 049 854 4070
Award-winning museum with medieval Dug-Out boat, Sheela-na-Gigs, galleries on Folk Life, the Great Famine, Percy French and the GAA.
See the Killycluggin stone and the three-faced Corleck Head. Ample parking, coffee shop, gift shop, playground.

Turbet Island Motte & Bailey, Belturbet
Turbet Island motte-and-bailey is scenically situated on the River Eme in Belturbet. The site has a motte, a steep-sided mound of earth with a flat top, a bailey, and an attached enclosed area that once contained houses and other buildings. There are walking trails around the island and information panels for visitors.

Clough Oughter Castle, Lough Oughter
Near Killeshandra, is the impressive Clough Oughter Castle, sited on an island in the middle of Lough Oughter. It was built by the Anglo-Normans in the early 13th century but was soon captured by the O’Reilly clan, the Irish rulers of east Breifne. Owen Roe O’Neill, leader of the anti-English revolt of the 1640s, died here in November 1649. Clough Oughter is a Geopark site.

Christian Heritage

Drumlane Abbey, Milltown
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.

The remains include a round tower, church, graveyard, fragments of a cross-inscribed stone and the site of a priory. The church features a number of interesting stone heads, one above the door in the west wall and another three on the external face of the east window. Drumlane Abbey is located 1km outside the village of Milltown not far from Belturbet and Butlersbridge.

Walking

The Killykeen Greenway

Cycle or walk the Killykeen Greenway (Only a short drive from Carafin Activity Park) through lake-dotted landscapes of Lough Oughter enjoying beautiful vistas, along winding country lanes.

Start at the footbridge in Killykeen Forest Park and follow the signs towards Killehandra via the upper trail on the Gartanoul penninsula. Download the map of the trail here. Contact fun@thisiscavan.ie for a copy of the Cavan trails guide.

Canal Walk, Ballyconnell
Part of Failte Irelands National Looped Walks Network
Distance: 5km
Grade: Easy
Terrain: Forest path
Approximate time: 1 hour 20 mins

Killeshandra Forest Walk, Killeshandra
Part of Failte Irelands National Looped Walks Network
Distance: 6km
Grade: Easy/Moderate
Terrain: Forest path
Approximate time: 1 hour