By Barry Coughlan
When the brochure says that a particular Irish County has 365 lakes within its narrow borders, you wonder how the figures would be so exact as to have one for each day of the year.
But Cavan natives, well not perhaps all 76,000 of them, will repeat that over and over again to visitors; one thing is sure – it would take a lot of time and effort to disprove the claims.
For certain, the County does have a Hell of a lot of lakes and an indisputable fact is that here in Cavan is the Shannon Pot, the source of the mighty River Shannon located in West Cavan.
An Cabhan is an old Irish word meaning The Hollow, and with centers of population invariably smallish, Cavan is described as a refuge or at least a shelter from stress.
If visitors find Ireland outside of the hustle and bustle of Dublin and to a lesser extent Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford to be a laid back experience the pace of life in counties like Cavan is much slower. Time is known locally as Cavan time, so, ladies and gentlemen, bring your patience hat with you on your travels.
Cavan Town, Virginia, Bailieborough, Ballyjamesduff, Cootehill, Kingscourt, Belturbet, Mullagh, Ballyconnell, Ballinagh, Ballyhaise, Shercock, Killeshandra, Arva, Kilnaleck, Swanlinbar, Butlersbridge, Blacklion, Lough Gowna, and Dowra – these are the centers of population containing more than just a shop or gas station at the crossroads.
For the unfamiliar, Cavan is in Ulster but part of the Republic of Ireland. Part of what’s known as the border region, its nearest neighbors are Fermanagh in Northern Ireland, and Leitrim, Monaghan, Meath, Westmeath and Longford in the Republic.
Apart from the lakes, the Cavan countryside is also dotted with hills and mountains – the highest point being Cuilcagh at 2,182 feet.
Apart from the Shannon Pot, Cavan is the source of many rivers, amongst them the Erne which rises in Beaghy Lough and flows for 75 miles to Lough Erne. The list goes on. Cavan is known as ‘The Lakeland County’ and at 7.3sq miles, Lough Sheelin is the county’s largest lake; it is situated in the south of the county and forms a three way border on its waters between counties Meath, Westmeath and Cavan.
Although the Irish weather is often inclement, Cavan is a county where outdoor fun is much of the attraction to visitors. It is, quite simply, a natural playground for those who much prefer being in the wide open spaces, although a vibrant pub and restaurant culture will certainly keep lots of people happy when the sun disappears and the skies darken.
It is the perfect vacation spot for anyone into boats, fishing, cycling, art, history and generally being in the great outdoors. There are spectacular walking trails, through the aforementioned Cuilcagh Mountains, but of course the county’s quiet charm is best appreciated from the water, which may be one of the reasons that it is a world-famous spot for coarse fishing.
History buffs will be delighted with the range of exhibits at the Cavan Museum with artefacts from the Stone Age right through to more modern times in the 20th century, all housed in an old convent in Ballyjamesduff (Come Back Paddy Reilly!). www.CavanMuseum.ie
The Forest Park at Dún a Rí is situated on the County Cavan-County Monaghan border. The park itself borders the Shercock and Carrickmacross roads at Magheracloone and Kingscourt and it boasts of wildlife including otters, foxes, badger, stoat, squirrels and more. It’s the perfect haven for walking enthusiasts.
The remarkable Burren Park which lays a couple of miles south of Blacklion is an absolute must for visitors to the region.
Under the shadow of Cuilcagh Mountain, the Park is widely recognized as one of the finest prehistoric relict landscapes in Ireland – in a sense this place has stood still in time, surrounded by planted forestry since the 1950s and now accessible to for the public to enjoy and preserve.
Geologically the site is located on limestone bedrock, formed in a shallow tropical sea around 340 million years ago during a time known as the Carboniferous period.
Natural geological features such as a relict river bed, associated dolines and sinkholes across the Lost Valley, where a river sank and disappeared underground, further demonstrate how this amazing pre-glacial landscape would have looked.
And there is evidence of the last Ice Age just about 13,000 years ago. Huge boulders of sandstone were deposited by glaciers on the limestone bedrock of Cavan Burren. These boulders are known as ‘Glacial Erratics’ and there are many to be seen throughout the park, sitting on pedestals of limestone which makes them pretty distinctive.
Lots more information on the geology and archaeology of the site can be found in interpretation across the park and by contacting the Geopark office on +353 (0)71 9853692 or www.macgeopark@cavancoco.ie . Tour guides for groups can be pre-booked. Visit www.CavanBurren.ie.
With kids in tow, families can have some more modern day fun at the Erne Island Water Park.
This inflatable obstacle course is geared for all ages, with slides, climbing frames, trampolines and much more. Young and old can unleash the inner adventurer and immerse in the simple joy of bouncing, jumping, climbing and of course falling off, with the waters of Lough Oughter there to act as a landing pad.
Visitors will be given a wetsuit, buoyancy aid and helmet and brought out to the water park which is open daily from 10 am. Guests just need to bring swimsuit, towel and warm clothes for afterwards.
Other water activities include water bikes or boat trips on the River Erne and fishing for both adults and kids.
Carafin Activity Park offers a day out on the water or land with Hydro Bikes, Pedal Boats, Laserclay and more.
For more general information on the county, more amenities and attractions for all age-groups go to www.thisiscavan.ie