County Cavan - Environment

1. Walks

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The Cavan Way

The Cavan Way provides a pleasant hill and valley walking connection between the Leitrim Way at Dowra, a small village community near the source of the River Shannon and the Ulster Way at Blacklion village. Following generally the course of the young river to its source at the mystical Shannon 'Pot', the walk follows quiet valley and rivreside landscapes to the more unenclosed uplands of the spring line of the river's source. The walker will enjoy the upland section between the 'Pot' and Blacklion, which includes the forested Burren area and its cemetery of ancient tombs, stone megaliths and monuments. Fine views are obtained from these elevated upland areas. Route Details: Dowra, Shannon Pot, Blacklion. Total Distance: 26km/16 miles. Longest Stage: Dowra to Blacklion - 26km/16 miles. Highest Point: Giant's Grave - 260m/850ft.

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2. Parks

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Killykeen Forest Park

This beautiful park is wovan around the lake and islands of Lough Oughter. A number of marked trails range in length from 1.5km to 2.8km, each offering enchanted views and a diversity of habitat for the wild fauna. Norway and Sitka spruce are the main tree species with a considerable amount of mixed woodland, including ash, oak, birch, sycamore, beech and alder. Stoat, badger, fox, grey squirrrel, hedgehog and rabbit are among the variety of fauna which can be spotted here. The tree mixture and wide expanses of water attract a great variety of bird life. Herons, coot, moorhen, cormorant and great crested grebe, mallard and tufted duck are here as are the wagtail, kingfisher, warblers and reed bunting. The park contains sites of great historical interest including an Iron Age ring fort and Clogh Oughter Castle which can be seen from the Derinish Trail. The castle stands on an island and is a 13th century de Lacy Castle which was later claimed by the O'Reily chieftains of the area. When the site was excavated in 1987 human remains were found from the last Cromwellian siege of 1653.

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3. Bogs

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Cuilagh Mountains

The blanket bog plateau is a rich depository of acid loving plants such as butterworth, sundews and bladderworth as well as a wide variety of heathers and grasses. You can see out some myrtle and a variety of delicate orchids. The peregrine falcon can be found on the plateau while other species which find an ideal habitat in Cavan include the blackbird, merlin, red grouse, golden plover, stonechat, whinchat, wheatear, skylark, swan and dipper. Nesting snipe, great crested grebe, curlew and redshank occupy the shores of Upper Lough Erne and up to 5% of the world's whooper swan population winter here. Undisturbed marshland, which covers much of the lake shores of Cavan attracts birds such as snipe, curlew, lapwing, redshank and water rail. A colourful hunter along the reed beds is the hen harrier. The old oak wood near Teemore on the Shannon Erne Waterway harbours sparrowhawk and Kestrel while Inishfendra Island near Crom Castle on Upper Lough Erne contains Ireland's largest heronry. The water soldier offers a graceful display when it rises to the surface of the water to flower in July. Rival displays are provided by the arrowhead, frogbit and flowering rush. Woodlands harbour jay, woodcock and pheasant as well as migrant warblers while the colourful silver washed fritillary, peacock and red admiral butterflies, give flamboyant displays.

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4. Lakes

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Lough Sheelin

Farming activities have enriched the lake but in recent years there has been a major improvement in fishing quality. The average weight of trout caught is 2 Ib. Duck fly appears in mid-April. May/June is the high point of the fishing season when there are major Chironomid hatches. Perch fly are important in mid-season and towards the end of the season Sedges become significant. Imitative and traditional fly patterns are recommended.

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5. Woods and Forests

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6. Bird Watching

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Cuilagh Mountains

The blanket bog plateau is a rich depository of acid loving plants such as butterworth, sundews and bladderworth as well as a wide variety of heathers and grasses. You can see out some myrtle and a variety of delicate orchids. The peregrine falcon can be found on the plateau while other species which find an ideal habitat in Cavan include the blackbird, merlin, red grouse, golden plover, stonechat, whinchat, wheatear, skylark, swan and dipper. Nesting snipe, great crested grebe, curlew and redshank occupy the shores of Upper Lough Erne and up to 5% of the world's whooper swan population winter here. Undisturbed marshland, which covers much of the lake shores of Cavan attracts birds such as snipe, curlew, lapwing, redshank and water rail. A colourful hunter along the reed beds is the hen harrier. The old oak wood near Teemore on the Shannon Erne Waterway harbours sparrowhawk and Kestrel while Inishfendra Island near Crom Castle on Upper Lough Erne contains Ireland's largest heronry. The water soldier offers a graceful display when it rises to the surface of the water to flower in July. Rival displays are provided by the arrowhead, frogbit and flowering rush. Woodlands harbour jay, woodcock and pheasant as well as migrant warblers while the colourful silver washed fritillary, peacock and red admiral butterflies, give flamboyant displays.

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7. Scenic Drives

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Deep in the heart of Ireland

CAVAN The county town, blessed with abundance of beauty all around: the labyrinthine Oughter Lakes system with wonderful angling, Cloughoughter Castle (13th century), the Folk Museum, Kilmore romanesque ruin, a crystal factory and a golf course.

BAILIEBOROUGH The road to it passes through a landscape of tumbling hills, lakes and forest. Moybollogues's ancient graveyard is interesting.

VIRGINIA Well names not only because American Civil War hero Gen Phil Sheridan was born nearby but also because of its gentle landscape of which the gem is Lough Ramor, studded with islands and with bathing places. At Cuilcagh House Jonathan Swift began "Gullivers Travles". The house no longer stands.

BALLYJAMESDUFF Immortalised in song by Percy French. Ruins include Kilnacrott Abbey and Ross Castle.

MOUNT NUGENT Near Lough Sheelin popular trout water, also Crover Castle (14th Century) and Ross Castle Keep (14th Century.

DRING At the southern end of meandering Lough Gowna.

GOWNA At the centre of the lake system which is the source of the Erne. Ruins on St Colmcille's Island and ancient tombs at Loughduff. Angling everywhere.

ARVAGH Lakes, lakes and more lakes. Also archaelological monumnets and panorama from Bruse Hill.

KILLESHANDRA On the west side of Lough Oughter, near Killykeen Forest Park projecting into the lake. Ancient remains include Corabrassan and Granshagh Forts and a 17th century abbey. Nature lovers will be charmed by Killykeen. Pig House collection at Cornafean. and extensive collection of folk memorabilia is displayed in farm outhouses including the original 'pig house' from which the collection gets its name.

BELTURBET At the south end of Upper Lough Erne, its cruisers voyage across the border for over 50 miles into Ulster. Historic remains include Drunlane Church and round towr and the site of St Colmcille's Abbey (6th century). Also golf and fishing.

BALLYCONNELL At the head of a long-disused canal, the village is back in the news as developers discuss the dream of joining the Erne to the Shannon to form one of the world's greathest pleasure waterways.

SWANLIBAR Reached by the road round the foot of Slieve Rushen, this is the village whose bygone spa waters had the desirable property of 'curing low spirits.'

DERRYLIN A village once noted for stonemasons they have left strange carved heads atop some walls. Turn east here to cross Upper Lough Erne by bridges affording splendid views.

LISNASKEA Fermanagh's second largest town. Nearby archaeological sites included eerie Aghaulurcher churchyard with strange headstones and touching insceiptions. The church was abandoned after a Maguire slew a kinsman on the alter in 1484.

MAGUIRESBRIDGE Still in a land of eerie stories, the village is 'headquarters' for ladies said to work 'cures' by magic. the Colebrooke River has an international reputation among anglers for both coars and game fish.

LISBELLAW A trim village with the parish church built on a huge rock in the middle.

TEMPO Secluded among the hills; bear right through Clabby to join a very scenic road over the ragne via Lendrum's Bridge to Fintona.

FINTONA So many poets has our regions produced that Fintona has 13 pubs to provide inspiration. Don't miss the statue of St Laurence in chains over the church door. Two miles further on, Seskinore forest is where the northern Forestry Department rears pheasants, grouse and old-style domestic flow of curious appearance.

KNOCKMANY FOREST High in the hills, it has a chambered grave with geometrical designs similare to those on tombs in the Boyne Valley.

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