Abbeys & Churches

Belturbet Church of Ireland
The church was built around 1828 within a star-shaped fort, itself dating from 1689. The interior has plaster vaulting and mid-eighteenth century monuments to a local family, the Whytes of Redhills.
The fort would have featured a central rectangular area and lozenge-shaped bastions at the angles to create its star-shape. These forts were designed as a response to the development of artillery and provided a low target for artillery fire and wide banks to absorb the impact of canon fire.

Moybolgue Church
Moybolgue Church lies 4 miles south of Bailieborough. The ruins date from the 15th century. Nearby at Relagh Beg are the remains of a late 12th century castle mound or motte. The remains include a small church and a bell-tower which was used as a place of worship by the local Protestants until two hundred years ago. A Catholic priest had a school at the same time in another part of the building.

Port Island Templeport
Templeport is three miles south of the village of Bawnboy. The island in Templeport Lake was said to be the birthplace of St Mogue. He was a pupil of St David in Wales during the 6th century. He also founded the church at Ferns, Co. Wexford, in the south-east of Ireland where he is known as St Aidan. The remains of a late medieval church and a cemetery are situated on the heavily wooded island. It is best viewed from the parish church of Templeport on the other side of the lake.

St Mary's Abbey, Cavan Town
A three storey bell tower and a graveyard still remain of this important Franciscan friary. Built by the O’Reillys in 1300, the friary was rebuilt many times in the following two centuries following damage in war and fire. A plaque on the wall of the tower commemorates Eoghan Roe O Neill, commander of the Catholic forces in Ireland, who was interred here after his death at Clough Oughter in 1649. Many prominent members of the O Reilly family are also buried here in unmarked graves.

Tomregan or Mullygolman
Six miles south of Ballyconnell is Tomregan. This is the reputed site of a renowned centre of learning of the 7th century. It was founded by St Bricin, who was also a surgeon. Nothing remains of the monastery except the base of a round tower. An odd medieval carving from here is in the Parish church in Ballyconnell.

Trinity Island, Killeshandra
Trinity Island is situated at Lough Oughter, just south of Killykeen. The Romanesque doorway in Kilmore Cathedral may come from Trinity Island. This was the site of a cathedral in the 12th century. A hundred years later a new monastery was founded by monks from Lough Key in Co. Roscommon. The remains of a ruined church and tower are all that remain of the monastery today. The island is accessible by a small causeway.

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