Things to do in County Monaghan
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Carrickmacross Lace Gallery
In the town’s former cattle yards, a local cooperative runs the Carrickmacross Lace Gallery, which sells the distinctive gossamerlike designs. Designs here are appliquéd on organza using thick thread and close stitches. Excess organza is cut away and the work is embellished with a variety of point stitches, guipure, pops and the lace’s distinctive loop edge. Most famously, Carrickmacross lace graced the sleeves of Princess Diana’s wedding dress.
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Monaghan County Museum & Gallery
Over 70,000 artefacts from the Stone Age to modern times are housed at this excellent regional museum. Its crowning glory is the 14th-century Cross of Clogher, an oaken altar cross encased in decorative bronze panels. Other impressive finds include the Lisdrumturk and Altartate Cauldrons, medieval crannóg artefacts, and some frightening knuckle-dusters and cudgels relating to the border with the North.
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Market House
This restored 18th-century market hall turned arts venue hosts exhibitions, concerts and drama productions.
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Squealing Pig
This popular bar and restaurant is one of the town’s liveliest spots, with a young, fun vibe. It’s all comfort food here with steaks, burgers, rich pastas and stir-frys dominating the menu. By night the Pig really takes off with three bars and a nightclub keeping the energy and noise levels pumped up.
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Andy's Bar & Restaurant
A longstanding local favourite, this Victorian bar and old-school restaurant still proudly serves the likes of deep-fried brie, prawn cocktails and pavlova, as well as fillet steak on breaded potato croutons with Andy's own pâté.
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Rossmore Forest Park
Crumbling remains of the Rossmore family's 19th-century castle, including its entrance stairway, buttresses and the family's pet cemetery, can be seen at Rossmore Forest Park , where rhododendrons and azaleas blaze with colour in early summer. Along with forest walks and pleasant picnic areas, the park contains several giant redwoods, a fine yew avenue and Iron Age tombs. It's 3km southwest of Monaghan on the Newbliss road (R189).
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Sherry's
Entering Sherry's, one of Monaghan's oldest bars, is like stepping back into a spinster's parlour from the 1950s. The old tiled floor, beauty board and dusty memorabilia probably haven't been touched in decades.
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St Joseph's Catholic Church
Craftsmanship also shines at St Joseph's Catholic Church, with 10 windows designed by Harry Clarke, Ireland's most renowned stained-glass artist.
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Ulster Canal Stores
To learn about the history of Clones lace, see it on display or purchase samples, visit the Ulster Canal Stores.
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Venture Sports
Fine fishing abounds in the area; contact Venture Sports for permits, tackle and local knowledge.
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Squealing Pig
One of the town's liveliest spots, with a young, fun vibe, solid comfort food (steaks, burgers and battered cod), three bars and a pumping nightclub.
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Other Sights
In Church Sq, the hefty obelisk the Dawson Monument(1857) commemorates Colonel Dawson's unfortunate demise in the Crimean War. Overlooking it is the Gothic St Patrick's Church and a stately Doric courthouse (1829). Heading west you'll find the Rossmore Memorial (c 1875), an over-the-top Victorian drinking fountain that dominates the Diamond. The town also has a number of buildings with gently rounded corners, an unusual architectural feature in Ireland.
Just out of the centre of town on the Dublin road is another piece of Victorian whimsy, the mock-14th-century St Macartan's Catholic Cathedral (1861), topped by a teetering 77m-high, needle-sharp spire.
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Eastern Regional Fisheries
Fantastic fishing around Carrickmacross includes Loughs Capragh, Spring, Monalty and Fea. Contact details for guides, boat hire and tackle are listed on www.monaghantourism.com.
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Carrickmacross Lace Gallery
In the town's former cattle yards, a local cooperative runs this tiny but fascinating lace gallery, where you can see lace-making demonstrations and check out exquisite designs. Unlike Clones' crocheted lace, designs here are appliquéd on organza using thick thread and close stitches. Excess organza is cut away and the work is embellished with a variety of point stitches, guipure, pops and the lace's distinctive loop edge. Most famously, Carrickmacross lace graced the sleeves of Princess Diana's wedding dress. Carrickmacross' lace makers can take commissions.
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