History of Cavan Town

Cavan town is rich in history and many buildings have survived for generations. Those interested in following the designated town walks (available at the Tourist Office) will discover a wealth of historical and architectural wonders in Cavan Town.

Among Cavan's fine buildings are the Town Hall and the Roman Catholic Cathedral. The Town Hall was built in 1909 and served as Cavan's first movie house. The Roman Catholic Cathedral of SS Patrick and Felim is the most dominent building in the town. Completed in 1942, with 68m spire and flanking domes, the vast interior is styled like a basilica and extensive use is made of different colours of marble. The cathedral houses many fine examples of ecclesiastical art.   There are also stained-glass windows by Harry Clarke (1889-1931), who was one of Ireland's  leading artists.

Located on Abbey Street, St. Mary's Abbey was built in 1300. A 3-storey bell tower and a graveyard from this important Franciscan friary still remain. The abbey was originally built by the famous O Reilly clan in 1300. A plaque on the wall commemorates Eoghan Rua O Neill, who was interred here in 1649. Although the graves are no longer visable, many prominent members of the O' Reilly family are also buried here, including Myles 'the slasher' and Primate Hugh.

Three miles west of Cavan town is Kilmore Cathedral. A church first established here in 885 AD later became a Church of Ireland Cathedral and the seat of a bishop. A new cathedral was built on the site in the 19th Century. The new cathedral was intended as a memorial to Bishop Bedell (Bishop from 1629 to 1642) who made a significant contribution to the Irish language by translating the Old Testament into Irish. An original copy is on display in the cathedral. Built into the modern Church of Ireland Cathedral is a fine twelfth-century Romanesque doorway which was probably removed from an early monastery on Trinity Island in Lough Oughter, three miles away.

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