Cavan is located in the province of Ulster, one of the three Ulster counties in the Republic of Ireland. It is a relaxed and easy-going place, and its landscape’s highlights include a cluster of lakes along the Shannon-Erne Waterway, the Cavan Way and wooded parklands.

Cavan may not be one of Ireland’s better known tourist destinations, but its rural charms, vibrant towns & beautiful scenery are certainly worth exploring, and the lack of tourists enhances its reputation as one of the country’s hidden gems. There are plenty of accommodation options, from luxurious hotels such as the Slieve Russell Hotel (which has its own helipad) and Radisson Farnham Estate to more modest B&Bs or family run guesthouses in towns such as Ballyconnell, Ballyjamesduff and Belturbet.

Cavan has got no shortage of county neighbours, bordered as it is by Fermanagh, Monaghan, Louth, Meath, Westmeath, Longford and Leitrim. It is one of Ireland’s premier fishing counties, and the collection of lakes, in western Cavan, which are together known as Lough Oughter, are one of the country’s best places to spend an angling holiday. Belburbet is a lovely gateway town to explore this lakeland region, and visitors can rent boats there to cruise along the River Shannon.

The north-west of the county is prime walking and hiking territory, and one of the better ways to experience it is via the Cavan way (a 25 km marked trail) which stretches from Dowra in Leitrim, to Blacklion on the border with Fermanagh. The little border town of Blacklion is also famous as the location of one of Ireland’s best restaurants, ‘MacNean House’, run by celebrity chef, and Cavan native Neven Maguire. His wonderful modern Irish dishes are well worth the slightly expensive prices (although the weekend lunches are reasonably priced and excellent) and a celebratory dinner at MacNeans is the perfect way to end an active walking holiday along the Cavan Way trail.

Cavan has hosted the Fleadh Cheoil Na hEireann a number of times, including 2010 and 2011. As one of the biggest festivals in Ireland, the Fleadh attracts around 320,000 people to Cavan during its August run and is a massive celebration of Ireland’s musical culture and heritage. Comhaltas Ceoiltoirí Éireann stages over 160 musical competitions during the festival. The music and craic of the festival spill on to the streets of Cavan, with traditional sessions in nearly every pub making it a fantastic way to experience the best of Irish music in a lively atmosphere.