County Monaghan is the birthplace of the poet and writer Patrick Kavanagh, who based much of his work in the county. You may also like to have a look at our recommended websites or our Local History Video series which demonstrates the various online sources listed below. Local History & Genealogy Research Facilities: There are 3 Microfilm readers & printers located in the Clones Library. There has been a good level of engagement over the years between local and community representatives from both countries with some delegations representing Monaghan at the annual Canadian Irish Festival in Miramichi. Mongán mac Fiachnai, a 7th-century King of Ulster, is the protagonist of several legends linking him with Manannan mac Lir. County Monaghan was among the more severely affected counties during the Great Famine of the 1840’s, being listed in the half-dozen worst hit in all Ireland. Today there are many heritage sites around the county which bear testament to its rich and varied past. Carrickmacross was the first town in Monaghan to build a post-Penal Catholic Church - St. Mary's Church was completed in 1786. History of the Town & District of Clogher, Co. Tyrone, parish of Errigal Keerogue, Tyrone, & Errigal Truagh in the Co. of Monaghan: Dungannon Tyrone Printing Co., 1930: National Library of Ireland Ir 94114 m 2: Roisin McArdle Lafferty : Laggan School 1823-1977: a commemorative history of a Co. Monaghan primary School: Laggan 2007 A large group of Irish visitors, including members of the local Comhaltas group attended the celebrations. They also travelled to Belfast and Dublin. Inhabited from an early era, many relics of the Bronze Age have been unearthed throughout the county over the years. The agreement with Miramichi dates from 1999. The Franciscan abbey, erected c. 1462, was in the centre of what is the present town, while McMahon’s crannóg was on the Convent Lake. There are heritage trails in several of the towns and villages which feature key sites of interest and there are guided options available too which add to the experience. Shantonagh, Ballybay, Co. Monaghan Read More », Shercock Road, Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan Read More », Dundalk Road, Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan Read More », Donaghmoyne, Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan Read More », Town Centre, Clones, Co. Monaghan Read More », Mullan Village, Emyvale, Co. Monaghan Read More », 1-2 Hill Street, Monaghan Town Read More », Dartrey Forest, Rockcorry, Co. Monaghan Read More », Dartrey Forest, Rockcorry, Co. Monaghan Read More », Laragh Village, Co. Monaghan Read More ». Castleblayney and Marseillan began twinning discussions a few years before the official Charter was signed in Marseillan in April 2013. No towering peaks, ragged cliffs or expansive lakes. Monaghan being the garrison town, it was harder to escape payment in that parish than in farther away localities. According to local tradition she took refuge in the townland of Caldavnet, the historical site of her principal church in Ireland and a holy well dedicated to her, and later performed a miracle in a house in the village, hence the name ‘Tigh Damhnait’ or ‘House of Dympna/Davnet’. In 1921 County Monaghan became a ‘Border County’ and suffered a great deal from the imposed division of the country. A quiet county with a sense of awaiting discovery… a palpable feeling of genuine surprise. Explore incredible sights from Belfast to Derry~Londonderry along this legendary coastline. Prior to the 17th century Plantations, County Monaghan was ruled by the McMahons who controlled four fifths of its area, and the McKennas who controlled the remaining one fifth. When the Elizabethans decided in 1585 to divide Ulster into ‘shire-land’, the boundaries of the county were laid out, roughly the same as today’s, but it was not until the first decade of the 17th century that the county was officially formed and named. The festival included a lecture on the shared history and a variety of guided bus and walking tours through parishes and sites of significance relating to life in Monaghan many years ago and relevant to the emigration of large numbers from Ireland to North America. Sites of particular interest outside of the town trails include Errigal Truagh and Donagh old graveyards, the Temple in Dartrey and Drumirril Rock Art site. Ask a question in our Community, they're the people who know Ireland best. She is the patron saint of the mentally afflicted and the patroness of the diocese of Clogher. Many of these are available online but some, such as the Local Newspaper ‘The Northern Standard’ Obituaries have been compiled in-house and are only available to view in a Co. Monaghan Branch Library.