Monaghan (Muineachan)
County Monaghan
In the literary world County Monaghan is most famous for the poet Patrick Kavanagh who was born in the village of Iniskeen.
Although Kavanagh spent most of his literary career in Dublin his earthy poetry and prose was rooted in the landscape and customs of his home county.
The rolling countryside of drumlins and farmlands is typical of the province of Ulster, although through a quirk of history Monaghan ended up in the Republic of Ireland when the border was drawn in 1921.
The county is full of stately homes and farmhouses giving testament to its planter history, notably at the Italian styled mansion at Castle Leslie.
There are a number of ancient sites in the county including a wedge tomb at Lisnadarragh, Dun Dubh at Tiaravera and the triple ring fort of Tullyrain at Shantonagh.
The town of Clones is synonymous with sport in Ireland: it is the home of Gaelic football and hurling in Ulster.