Cavan By Rachel Mahony

Where is Cavan? County Cavan (Irish: Contae an Chabháin) is a county in Ireland. It is in the province of Ulster and is part of the Border Region. It is named after the town of Cavan and is based on the historic Gaelic territory of East Breffny (Bréifne). Cavan County Council is the local authority for the county, which has a population of 76,092 according to the 2016 census.

Cavan’s population and location Cavan is in Ulster, in the northern part of Ireland. It is surrounded by the counties of: Longford, Leitrim, West Meath, Meath, Louth, Monaghan and Fermanagh. Cavan has a population of 76,092 Largest towns Cavan - 10,914 Bailieborough - 2,683 Ballyjamesduff - 2,661 Virginia- 2,648 Kingscourt- 2,499

Landmarks of Cavan Erica's Fairy Forest Cavan cathedral Dun na Ri Forest Park Cavan museum

History of Cavan Cavan was founded by the King of East Breifne, Giolla Íosa Ruadh O’Reilly, sometime between 1300 and his death in 1330. During his lordship, a Franciscan friary was built close to the O’Reilly stronghold at Tullymongan. The friary’s location is marked by an eighteenth-century tower in the graveyard at Abbey Street Cavan is a medieval town and this can be seen in the narrow streets of Abbey Street, Bridge Street and Main Street. The O'Reillys later built a new castle in the late fourteenth century on Tullymongan Hill, overlooking the town centre. In the 15th century, the local ruler, Bearded Owen O'Reilly, expanded the town marketplace. This brought merchants (traders) to the town from Dublin and Drogheda. The phrase "life of Reilly" is believed to come from the great wealth and power of the O'Reilly clans, some of which came from their market.

Famous people from Cavan Neven Maguire was born in Cavan. He began cooking at the age of twelve in the kitchen of his family restaurant, MacNean's in Blacklion, County Cavan

Cavan Sport Cavan have won the All-Ireland Football final on 5 occasions – All 5 victories came between 1933 and 1952. Meanwhile, they have won the Ulster Championship on 39 occasions. Their last win was in 1997 when they beat Derry 1-14 to 0-16. It was their first Ulster title in 28 years.

Interesting Facts Cavan is known as 'The Lakeland County' and is supposed to contain 365 lakes. Lough Sheelin is the county's largest lake; it is situated in the south of the county and forms a three way border on its waters between counties Meath, Westmeath and Cavan. “An Cabhán” is an old Irish word meaning “The Hollow” – and in a simple way that says a lot about this place. Cavan is a refuge, a place to rejuvenate, a shelter from stress. Maybe if heaven was on earth it would be called Cavan! Jonathan Swift, Dean of St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin, wrote part of his world-famous book Gulliver’s Travels while staying in Cavan at the home of his friend Thomas Sheridan in Mullagh.

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