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County Monaghan
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| Attractions: Carrickmacross |
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| Co. Monaghan Muineacháin Prov. Ulster Republic of Ireland |
| Major cities: Monaghan, Clones, Newbliss, Carrickmacross, Castleblayney, Clones |
| Surface: 1,294 km2 Population: 52,772 |
The Gaelic name of County Monaghan, Muineacháin, is derived from Muine Cheain, meaning the Land of the Little Hills. It refers to the gentle whale-shaped hills, known as drumlins or druim, in the area. These drumlins are created by the movement of ice during the last Ice Age and they often appear in collections of hills with the same shape, size and orientation, the so-called drumlin fields.
Although the occurrence of drumlins is not restricted to County Monaghan, there are also drumlins in Northern Ireland, the United States and Poland, your visit might be a good opportunity to observe this phenomenon.
Due to the undulating countryside and the absence of mountains, only a few drumlins rise are higher than 300 meters, County Monaghan is excellent suited for the less experienced hiker and cyclist, while the occasional lakes are seducing the angler.
Remains of mammoths, bears and giant Irish deer are suggesting that the climate in ancient County Monaghan was more moderated. Obviously the presence of these preys attracted humans. As a consequence there are several megalithic sites and pre-historic remains.
County Monaghan have its share of monastic sites, but if you are interested in more recent history you might get disappointed.
The MacMahon's, the dominating family in the region, and their allies, the McKennas and O'Connollys, maintained in control of the county even after the Anglo-Norman Invasion. Joining the Irish Catholics during the 1641 Ulster Rebellion was fatal for the MacMahon reign. Following their defeat there was some plantation by mainly Scottish farmers.
Most of the towns in County Monaghan are small market towns, with the city of Monaghan as the agrarian centre. Visitors interested in Irish poetry might want to visit the Patrick Kavanagh Literary Resource Centre.