Things to do in Monaghan & many reasons to visit
- Karyn Farrell
- 2 hours ago
- 10 min read
Monaghan is a county I'd passed through many times but had never taken the time to explore. Until recently that is. Since then I've experienced Monaghan in all weather conditions: in its vibrant Autumn colours, in an unexpected heatwave, and in the midst of what seemed like Monsoon season. And while it may not feature on the obvious tourist trails, it has a quieter alluring charm that will appeal to nature and history lovers alike. There are plenty of great things to see and do, including scenic lake & forest walks, museums & historic buildings, picturesque towns and villages, and one of Ireland's most beautiful castle stays.
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Highlights:
Book a stay in a luxury castle estate at an affordable price at Castle Leslie: one of Ireland's most characterful hotels in a jawdropping lakeside location
Commune with nature at Lough Muckno Leisure Park, one of Monaghan’s most scenic walking routes
Don't miss the iconic Tin Church at Laragh
Enjoy a family day out at Rossmore Forest Park - a fantastic amenity for nature lovers of all ages
Immerse yourself in the county's rich architectural heritage on the Monaghan Town Trail
Best things to do in Monaghan: an overview
Lough Muckno Leisure Park
Lough Muckno is my first introduction to Monaghan. It’s a cold, crisp and clear November day - winter is on the way but the colours of Autumn remain. The lake is mirror-like and still and the horizon is like a painting, with reflections of bright blue sky and big fluffy clouds. The lake is cocooned by forest, its treetops gilded by the glorious winter sun. Birds are singing noisily overhead while on the lakeshore, ducks squabble over food.
I plan a quick pitstop en-route to Donegal, but end spending a couple of hours here as it's absolutely gorgeous. I can't believe I've never been before. The park spreads across acres of wooded terrain, bookended by two islands: Black Island and White Island. Located on the outskirts of Castleblayney, this fabulous public amenity is set on 900 acres of forest. It's a nature lovers' paradise with activities for all the family including accessible walking trails, water sports, fishing and a terrific playground.
A vibrant yellow coffee truck on the lake shore is selling hot beverages and snacks, a welcome treat on a chilly winter’s day and there are plenty of picnic tables to sit and enjoy the expansive views.
From the car park, a wooden bridge provides access to the Black Island, and a series of looped walking trails from 600 metres to 2kms, with options for all levels of fitness and abilities. The High Road trail has a steeper incline but opens out to glorious views across the lake. I spend an idyllic few hours tramping through the woods on the Shoreline and Island Circuit Walks. I'm one of the few visitors on this briskly cold day but I feel the presence of nature all around me, from the rustling of leaves and branches overhead, and the gentle lapping of water on the shore. There's something calming and soothing about being entirely cocooned by trees.
Download a map with some key points of interest and walking trails here
I read later that Lough Muckno Leisure Park originally formed part of the Blayney family estate, from whom the town of Castleblayney takes its name. It's ridiculously picturesque and a place to easily lose a few hours. My one small gripe is that the trail signage could be better. Some colour-coded arrows on all routes would make the intersections of the trails a little easier to navigate, but other than that, it’s a little hidden treasure.
Where to stay in Castleblayney:
The Hillcrest, a luxury self-catering holiday home with four bedrooms and two bathrooms, is less than a kilometre from Lough Muckno Leisure Park. We are planning a stay here in late 2026.
The Hillcrest, Castleblayney, Co. Monaghan
Tin Church, Laragh
I'm driving along a quiet country road when an unusual building comes into view. Perched on a rocky outcrop, it's a striking sight on approach, enveloped in the golden glow of the late evening sun. An endlessly curious creature by nature, I immediately look for somewhere to pull in as I navigate a bend in the road. I find a little carpark to the side and set off to investigate.
It turns out that this is quite an iconic building indeed: one of a kind in Ireland, a 19th century corrugated iron clad church in a Swiss Gothic-hybrid style. Constructed of tin, it's believed to have been a gift from mill owner James McKean to his wife after their honeymoon in Switzerland. The location is beautiful, surrounded by woodland and overlooking a river. According to the website, it was deconsecrated in the 1950s but was reopened in 2014 as a working music venue and community hub.
Worth nothing that it can also be booked for weddings.
Tin Church, Dooraa, Laragh, Co. Monaghan, A75 E448. Google Maps link here
Where to stay in Monaghan
Top pick for a luxury stay: Escape to the chateau
Castle Leslie Estate: the ultimate rural retreat in a woodland & lakeside setting.
Castle Leslie Estate is no ordinary hotel. Set in a wooded estate overlooking Glaslough lake in Co. Monaghan, it's an experience in its own right, chock-full of history and stories. The lands have been occupied by members of the Leslie family since the 1660s, one of the few examples of a castle estate still in the hands of the original family. Castle Leslie shot to fame in 2002 when it hosted the wedding of Paul McCartney and Heather Mills. If those walls could talk...
Despite being one of the most luxurious estates in Ireland, it's got a relaxed and unpretentious atmosphere, where guests are more likely to be wearing muddy hiking boots instead of Manolo Blahniks. It doesn't try too hard, and it doesn't have to. You can leave your notions at the door. A fab spot for a few days of downtime.
Castle Leslie is located in the picturesque and charming village of Glaslough. With traditional stone-faced houses, brightly coloured flowers and hanging baskets, perfectly preserved facades and original phone boxes, it’s not hard to see why it’s a frequent winner of the Tidy Towns competition. It's definitely worth a wander during your stay. It's a short five minutes' walk from the Lodge, or a slightly longer walk from the Castle.
The grounds are one of its greatest selling points. Set on over 1000 acres of sprawling woodland and overlooking a lake, the views on a blue-sky evening are nothing short of spectacular. There are plenty of walking trails to enjoy throughout your stay. Don't miss the walled garden marked by an ornate entrance gate. Breathe in the rich scents of herbs, plants and wild flowers, while from the top of the garden, views of the lake are revealed through gaps in the trees.
Guests can book a stay in the main castle or in The Lodge. We opt for the latter, home to fifty rooms, all of which are tastefully designed and very much in keeping with the overall feel of the estate and its period features. Though they are a little more restrained than the Castle rooms, they are no less plush. If the Castle rooms are a little out of your price range, they make for an affordable though no less luxurious, alternative.
Rooms are a decent size, with huge comfortable beds and original art work by local artists on the walls. My favourite feature was the huge wraparound courtyard with a stripped brick wall adorned with creeping ivy and lined with plants. A set of table and chairs create a self-contained oasis of tranquility for our stay.
Quirky features abound in these rooms and the bathroom was no exception with elaborate tap fittings and towel hooks. The claw-leg bath is deep and big enough for two - just saying.
But of course, even if you're not staying in one of the Castle rooms, you absolutely should pop up for a visit. The common area rooms are richly decorated and filled with eclectic objects and artworks. A stately entrance with wooden doors leads the way to a whole other world. Grand drawing rooms and dining rooms line the corridor, and the views from the bay windows are fabulous.
One of my all-time favourite places to stay in Ireland, and there are great deals to be found, particularly if you go off-season or midweek. Find out more here
Castle Leslie Estate, Glaslough, Castle Leslie Estate, Co. Monaghan, H18 FY04
Alternatively you can book a private luxury self-catering cottage on the scenic grounds of the castle. It sleeps five.
Monaghan town: things to see and do
An unexpected April heatwave calls for a pitstop in Monaghan town, en-route to Donegal. Grinded Coffee on the corner of Church Square is a specialty coffee shop: a cool spot with friendly staff and they make a mean iced latté. I decide to linger a bit longer and order some homemade quiche and salad to take away from the renowned and hugely popular Dinkin's Bakery.
It's my first time ever in Monaghan and I'm immediately taken by this attractive market town, lined with historic buildings. I don't have time to linger on this occasion, but I'm encouraged to come back again to investigate its rich architectural heritage.
Monaghan Town Heritage Trail
Unfortunately, my next visit coincides with Monsoon season. Or at least that's what it feels like after five consecutive weeks of rain. On an abysmally wet evening, I set off with a map of the Monaghan Town Heritage Trail, highlighting ten points of historic and architectural interest, and areas of natural beauty. There's much to see in a very small geographic area, but my enjoyment is hampered somewhat by the relentless rain. I sigh and think how pleasant this whole experience would be if I'd had time to explore during the heatwave. Here are some of the points of interest on the trail.
Rossmore Monument
Though compact in size, Monaghan town boasts four squares. The Diamond is one of the main focus and congregations points of the town, and at its heart stands the Rossmore Memorial, a 19th century octagonal Victorian monument with a fountain at its centre. Erected in honour of the 4th Baron Rossmore  who died in a hunting accident in Windsor Castle in 1874, the letters Rossmore are engraved into the monument's eight columns.
St Patrick’s Church of Ireland
Church Square is another focal point of the town, lined with historic buildings. The 19th century church is its dominant feature, a striking regency Gothic structure of soaring verticality with a sharp needle spire and pointed turrets on either side. Access to the interior is by appointment only so I couldn't visit on this occasion.
The Courthouse
Built on the site of an old jail (how apt...) the courthouse stands adjacent to the church and dates to the mid 19th century. It's an imposing, elegant building in a pared-back, almost austere neo-Classical style, fitting when we consider its purpose.
At the front of the courthouse is a sombre memorial to the victims of the 1973 Monaghan bombings - a reminder of its not so distant history.
Peter’s Lake
It's not often one finds a lake in the centre of a town. It's a popular local amenity but on this particularly wet evening, I had the place to myself. Just me and the moorhens. The lake is lined with trees and has benches dotted around its perimetre. A water feature in the centre provides a hypnotic soundtrack and it's a popular spot for anglers.
Monaghan County Museum
Swot up on your history of Monaghan at its county museum. Located in the state-of-the-art Peace Campus in Monaghan Town,  it showcases the diversity of the countyʼs rich culture and heritage, and houses an astonishing 50,000 artefacts in its collection. Visitors can also enjoy a vibrant programme of exhibitions and events throughout the year. The museum is free to visit.
Monaghan County Museum, Peace Campus, North Rd, Kilnacloy, Monaghan, H18 RP20
Rossmore Forest Park
What a gem of a place this is. Despite the torrential rain, I really enjoyed exploring the many places of interest in this forest park. Built on the former 18th century Rossmore Castle estate, the site has been redeveloped into a fantastic public amenity, catering to art and nature lovers, and families alike. As you can see below, only the supports to the castle walls and the entrance stairway now remain. The rest seems to have been mysteriously swallowed up in the landscape and as far as I could see, is now hidden beneath the mound of a hill. From the top, there are expansive views of the surrounding countryside.
There are a number of colour-coded lakeside and forest looped walking trails to enjoy, from 1km to 8kms, and a recently opened Family Cycle Trail. According to the brochure, many of the original estate trees still remain, including Scots pine, cedars and a monkey puzzle. Giant redwoods can be found on the main avenue to the car park, and an avenue of yew trees is one to look out for on your visit. I make a note to return in summer to view the the rhododendron and azalea colour extravaganza.
On a wet winter's day, the air is dank and grey, but it's a verdant paradise in the depths of the nature trail with luminous green moss and foliage all around. Almost like a scene from the Shire in Hobbiton.
The park is rich with birds and wildlife, with ample signage pointing out what to look out for including otters, badger, foxes, hedgehogs and pigmy shrews.
And now for my favourite part... The seriously cool Giant Sculpture trail. Kids will love the challenge of finding the adorable carved animals dotted throughout the estate, and a series of enormous Drumlin Giants. At the time of writing, new artworks are still being added to the site.
Download the forest park map  here with trails and points of interest noted. The visitor map here notes the location of the sculptures and gives some background history. My advice: use the QR code to download the Rossmore Forest Park app in advance. It's got everything you need to get the best out of your visit, and to make sure you don't anything. You could easily spend a day here. I've promised myself a return visit when the weather gets a little brighter.
Rossmore Forest Park is located 3.5 km south west of Monaghan town.
Facilities: a picnic area, huge carpark, toilets, coffee dock and outdoor seating.
Where to stay in Monaghan town
An affordable stay and a friendly welcome awaits at the traditional family-friendly Hillgrove Hotel
Located on the outskirts of town, the hotel is popular with families but also has a thermal suite and spa for those looking for some relaxation on a night away. It also has a gym, if that's your thing. Hotel rooms have been given a facelift in recent times. I love the dark toned feature walls and the pop of colour
Hillgrove Hotel, Old Armagh Rd, Latlorcan, Monaghan, H18 RK15
Getting there
Monaghan is approximately a 1.5 hours drive from both Dublin and Belfast Airports. There are no direct trains from Dublin to Monaghan but there is a frequent Expressway bus service with Bus Eireann. Journey time approx. 2.5 hours.
For car hire, one of the best value sites we've used to date is Discover Cars, comparing prices across 700 suppliers.