Nestled between two drumlins which gave rise to the name Cavan or An Cábhan meaning ‘the hollow place’, Cavan town is a lively and busy destination.
Cavan is unique in being the only Irish town established by a native Irish family; the O’ Reillys and not Anglo-Norman or Norse settlers.
Cavan has many fine buildings, busy pubs, restaurants, cafes, nightclubs, shops, a leisure complex, golf course, cinema, bowling alley and Cavan Equestrian Centre, host to the largest national and international show-jumping events in Europe.
A new state-of-the-art Central Library and Genealogy Centre is located on Farnham Street. The building also houses the Tourist Information Office on the first floor....more
Shopping
Shopping in the centre of the town is mainly located along Main Street and Bridge Street. In addition the town offers several high quality gift and craft shops including Cavan Gifts, The Gift Box and Cavan Crystal Design (on the Dublin Rd).
Three retail parks on the Dublin Road are home to many large stores such as Argos, Woodies, Lifestyle Sports, Homemakers and several large furniture stores.
Farmers' markets take place on Saturday mornings at McCarrons Factory on Railway Road and The Backyard in Moynehall on the Ballinagh Road.
History & Heritage
Cavan town is rich in history and many buildings have survived for generations. Among these are the Town Hall and the Roman Catholic Cathedral. The Town Hall was built in 1909 and served as Cavan’s first movie house. The Cathedral of SS Patrick and Feidhlim was completed in 1942, with a 68m spire and flanking domes. The vast interior is styled like a basilica and extensive use is made of different colours of marble. The cathedral houses many fine examples of ecclesiastical art.
Three miles west of Cavan is Kilmore Cathedral. A church first established here in 885 AD later became a Church of Ireland Cathedral and the seat of a bishop. The new cathedral was intended as a memorial to Bishop Bedell (Bishop from 1629 to 1642) who was responsible for having the Old Testament translated into Irish. His bible remained the standard Irish copy until the 20th century – an original copy is on display in the cathedral.
Built into the cathedral is a fine 12th Century Romanesque doorway probably removed from an early monastery on Trinity Island, three miles away.
For further information on tourism in County Cavan visit www.cavantourism.com
Irish Family History Foundation Stand
Cavan Courthouse
Friday Sat & Sunday
For Enquiries please contact
First Floor, Johnston Central Library, Farnham Street, Cavan
Tel 049 4361094
Email cavangenealogy@eircom.net