Local Attractions
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Cuilcagh Boardwalk Trail
Just under an hour’s drive from Nellie’s Cottage, this iconic trail is one of Ireland’s most stunning walks. Stretching across the rugged landscape of the Cuilcagh Mountains, the boardwalk leads to a breathtaking viewpoint at the summit. It’s a must-do for nature lovers, photographers, and hikers who want to experience one of Ireland’s most unique outdoor adventures.
Marble Arch Caves
Discover a hidden world beneath the ground with a guided boat and walking tour through the Marble Arch Caves. Located within the same geopark as the Cuilcagh Trail, these fascinating limestone caves feature underground rivers, stalactites, and echoing chambers. An ideal day out for families or anyone intrigued by geology and natural beauty.
Cavan Burren Park
A peaceful gem tucked in the heart of Cavan’s prehistoric landscape, this park offers megalithic tombs, walking trails, and incredible views over the surrounding countryside. Explore ancient stone formations and archaeological sites that date back over 5,000 years. It's perfect for a slow, scenic wander steeped in history and nature.
Shannon Pot
Located a short drive away, this tranquil pool is believed to be the legendary source of Ireland’s longest river — the River Shannon. Surrounded by quiet forest and gentle trails, Shannon Pot is a serene place that connects visitors with Ireland’s natural mythology and hydrological history.
Killykeen Forest Park
This lakeside park is a paradise for walkers, cyclists, and those looking to kayak or paddleboard. With trails weaving through woodlands and along the shores of Lough Oughter, it’s a peaceful spot perfect for a picnic or outdoor adventure. Wildlife is abundant, and the area is especially beautiful in early autumn.
Lough Sheelin
Lough Sheelin (Irish: *Loch Síodh Linn*, “lake of the fairy pool”) is a limestone freshwater lake straddling Counties Cavan, Meath and Westmeath. It’s part of the River Inny system (and ultimately the Shannon), and its alkaline waters and shallow depth make it especially fertile — ideal habitat for wild brown trout, which anglers prize highly. Over the years it has faced environmental challenges (nutrient enrichment, invasive species etc.), but thanks to local conservation efforts and stricter fishing regulations it’s recovering well and remains one of Ireland’s premier trout loughs.
Derries Lake
Derries Lake, on the shores of Lough Gowna in County Cavan, is a peaceful spot much loved by local anglers and nature-lovers. The water is generally shallow—often 1-3 metres—with some deeper areas (up to about 4m) near specific launching points. You’ll find good stocks of pike, perch, roach, bream, hybrids and eels, and a number of accessible swims for bank fishing. The surroundings are fairly rural, quiet and scenic, making Derries a nice setting whether you’re after angling or just somewhere calm to spend an afternoon by the water.
Castle Saunderson
Castle Saunderson is a striking Gothic-Revival country house in north County Cavan, near Belturbet, now largely in ruin. It was extensively remodelled around **1835–1840** for the Saunderson family, incorporating parts of an earlier 18th-century building. While the main residence has suffered fire damage and long years of neglect, the surrounding demesne has been partially restored with woodland walks and interpretation panels. Since 2012 there has been an International Scout Centre on the grounds, which brings life and activity to the estate despite the castle’s fragile state.
Cavan County Museum Ballyjamesduff
Cavan County Museum in Ballyjamesduff is a fascinating place for anyone interested in County Cavan’s past. Housed in the former Poor Clare convent built in the 19th century, the museum’s exhibits span over 6,000 years — from prehistoric artefacts like the Killycluggin Stone to medieval finds, and on into more recent times. You can also explore immersive historical installations, including a full-scale World War I trench replica and a 1916 Rising exhibition, both designed to bring moments of Irish history alive. For lighter moments, there are galleries on folk life, costume, the local GAA, and the life of Percy French, alongside gardens, a café and regularly changing temporary shows. If you're in the area, it’s well worth a visit.
Loughcrew Megalithic Centre
The Loughcrew Megalithic Centre in County Meath sits at the foot of the **Loughcrew Cairns**, a cluster of 5,000-year-old Neolithic passage tombs. Visitors can take guided walks to the tombs, admire ancient carvings, and enjoy sweeping views from the hilltops. On-site you’ll also find a heritage cottage, café, and camping facilities, making it a welcoming base to explore one of Ireland’s most remarkable prehistoric landscapes.
Tullynally House & Gardens
The Loughcrew Megalithic Centre in County Meath sits at the foot of the **Loughcrew Cairns**, a cluster of 5,000-year-old Neolithic passage tombs. Visitors can take guided walks to the tombs, admire ancient carvings, and enjoy sweeping views from the hilltops. On-site you’ll also find a heritage cottage, café, and camping facilities, making it a welcoming base to explore one of Ireland’s most remarkable prehistoric landscapes.
Drumlane Abbey
Drumlane Abbey & Round Tower, just outside Milltown in County Cavan, is an ancient monastic site with roots going back to about **555 AD**, traditionally attributed to Saint Columba. The surviving features include a striking round tower (once wooden, later rebuilt in stone under the Augustinians), the remains of a large medieval church, a cemetery, and fragments of cross-inscribed stones. It sits in a peaceful lakeside setting overlooking Garfinny (or Grafinny) Lough, making it both atmospheric and scenic. Over the centuries it was attacked, rebuilt, and eventually suppressed in the Reformation, but today it’s preserved as a national monument, with paths, car parking and interpretive information available for visitors.
Cavan Genealogy Centre
The **Cavan Genealogy Centre** in Cavan Town is a specialist resource for people researching family history and ancestors in County Cavan. It’s housed on the first floor of the Johnston Central Library on Farnham Street. The centre has built a large database with over half a million records — baptisms, marriages, burials, pre- and post-Famine land records, census returns, and more. It offers a confidential research service for people tracing roots in Cavan, as well as serving visitors from abroad who want to connect with their heritage.
Cavan Adventure Centre
The **Cavan Adventure Centre** (Inishmore, Butlers Bridge, Co. Cavan) is an outdoor activity hub set in the heart of Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands, in a Special Area of Conservation. Since 2008, they’ve been offering land and water-based activities for people of all ages — kayak, canoe & paddleboard trips, mountain biking, summer camps, school tours, and a floating inflatable Water Park. It’s a great place to connect with nature, explore the waterways around Lough Oughter (even paddle to Clough Oughter Castle), or simply spend a fun day outdoors.
Derrycassin Woods
Derrycassin Woods (Co. Longford, on the shores of Lough Gowna) is a lovely woodland area made for peaceful walks and family outings. You’ll find several way-marked trails there, including a Nature Trail, the Walled Garden Walk, and the Main Avenue Walk, of varying lengths so there’s something to suit casual strollers and more energetic hikers alike. There are picnic benches, a children’s playground, and nice lake views—especially along the lakeshore paths. There’s also a bit of history: you can still see remains of the old walled gardens, stone bridges, and the site of the old mansion house that once stood here.
