Cavan is the biggest town in County Cavan. It gets its name from its geographical location in a valley. The name "Cavan" comes from an Irish word meaning a "hollow".
A busy shopping street in Cavan
Cavan is a thriving town with a variety of shops and services. In this photograph we can see a pretty pedestrianised street in the town.
Courtesy Cavan County TourismA busy shopping street in Cavan
Courtesy Cavan County Tourism
Courtesy Cavan County Tourism
A busy shopping street in Cavan
Cavan is a thriving town with a variety of shops and services. In this photograph we can see a pretty pedestrianised street in the town.
Courtesy Cavan County TourismIn the 10th century County Cavan was known as East Breifny or Breifny O'Reilly. The O'Reillys were the most important clan in the region. Their main castle was located on Tullymongan Hill and like many castles or fortresses a town grew up in proximity to it. That town is present day Cavan.
In 1300 Giolla Iosa Roe O'Reilly financed and built a monastery. Today only the belfry tower remains standing. Many members of the O'Reilly family are buried in the graveyard including Giolla Iosa Roe himself.
By the 1600s the O'Reilly clan no longer ruled Cavan. East Breifny became the modern county of Cavan in 1579 and Cavan town was granted the right to govern itself and hold markets and fairs.