Irish Counties - Monaghan

County Monaghan (Contae Muineachán) is a county in the Republic of Ireland. It is one of three counties situated in the province of Ulster without being part of Northern Ireland. The name comes from the Irish, derived from "Muine Cheain" meaning the Land of the little hills. This name refers to the density of drumlins in the area, those small hills formed from glacial action (during a previous ice age).

Monaghan is the birthplace of the poet and writer Patrick Kavanagh, who based much of his work in the county. Kavanagh is one of the most significant figures in mid 20th century Irish Poetry. The poem Stony Grey Soil refers to the county.

Monaghan town's centre of the town is made up of four interconnecting squares: Market Square (or Street), Church Square, The Diamond, and Old Cross Square. Sited in Market Square is the Market House (built 1792), now an art gallery. The County Museum, which has won the Council of Europe Award for its display of history and archaeology, is located nearby. The most outstanding building of all is St Macartan's Cathedral with its wonderful rose window and spire.

Charles Gavin Duffy, the first premier of New South Wales in Australia, was a former resident of Monaghan.

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• Monaghan People
• Monaghan History
• Monaghan Travel

Writers associated with Co. Monaghan include:

• Kavanagh, Patrick poet, & novelist
• McCabe, Eugene playwright, short story writer and novelist
• McCabe, Patrick novelist

Towns and Villages:
Aghabog, Aghnamullen, Ballybay, Clones, Clontibret, Currin, Donagh, Donaghmoyne, Drummully, Drumsnat, Ematris, Errigal Trough, Inishkeen, Killanny, Killeevan, Kilmore, Magheracloone, Magheross, Monaghan, Muckno, Tedavnet, Tehallan, Tullycorbet