Hidden Gems at Ballyconnell

​Cavan Burren Park
Tread carefully across the blanket of green moss and soft grass around the Cavan Burren Park, as ancient secrets lie underfoot. This is one of the most exceptional prehistoric landscapes in Ireland, where a tropical sea once ebbed and flowed 350 million years ago. There’s a great interpretative centre where you can find all about the geological history of the area, before you head out to discover it for yourself. There are over 10km of trails to explore, including bog bridge trails over ancient limestone, and with short distances many are ideal for smaller children. Feel like taking it further? Try the 26km walking trail from Dowra to Blacklion. 
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Lough Scur
Exploring the small lakes of the Shannon-Erne Waterway is a joyous experience, whether by cruiser or kayak. Unsurprisingly, lots of folklore swirls around these rippling waters, not least of which is Lough Scur, which is thought to have attracted Mesolithic hunter-gatherers to its shores as early as 8000BC. The lake is packed with history, from ancient stone “druid’s altar”-type monuments to the 13th century Castle O’Connor and 16th century Castle Sean. But of particular interest is the eerily titled “Prison Island” or “Jail Island”, linked to a notoriously cruel 17th century landlord called Shane Reynolds, who was known for beheading people for minor offences. The prison he ordered to be constructed on the small island in Lough Scur must have been an indescribably tough place to be, with tiny jail cells that only had six inch air holes. Today, only tumbledown ruins are left, but standing on the island it’s easy to let your imagination run riot about how horrific penal life was here.  Don’t be surprised if you spot a few people fishing out and about on Lough Scur – it’s a favourite destination for local anglers thanks to a consistent stock of roach, hybrids and skimmers, especially around The Rocks. And if you’re interested in making a holiday of it, Lakeside Cottages is a great place to staty, with a wealth of local knowledge and hundreds of lakes right on the doorstep.

Corleggy Cheese
Tucked away within the soft rolling hills of County Cavan sits a fairytale-style white cottage fringed with firebox-red trim. This is the home of Corleggy Cheese, whose name aptly translates as “little windy hill”. It’s an unassuming little place for the hand-crafting of a cheese that has been ranked in the top 2% in the world, when it won a Super Gold at the 2016 World Cheese Awards. You will notice Corleggy on menus locally, but if you’re interested in the process of cheesemaking, keep an eye on the website and social media feeds for their one-day cheesemaking classes. 
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Sliabh an Iarainn
As you travel through County Leitrim, look up as the beautiful Iron Mountain (or Sliabh an Iarainn) comes into view – a place so appealing that it was once the landing place of Tuatha dé Danann, a mythical race of god-like people who had incredible powers. Great walking trails here allow you to explore this majestic area, from a half-day amble to a full 20km-hike along country roads, forest and open mountain paths. Want to find out more about the mountain? Pop into the Sliabh an Iarainn Visitor Centre, which details the history of the Cavan and Leitrim railway, the canal, lakes and the local iron and coal mining industries.
leitrimtourism.com

Aughrim Wedge Tomb
The grounds of a five-star hotel seem an unlikely place to find an archaeological monument that dates back to 2000BC, but that’s exactly what you’ll find if you wander around the gardens at the Slieve Russell Hotel. The Aughrim Wedge Tomb was discovered when a local business was quarrying on Slieve Rushen mountain. It was excavated and reconstructed in the hotel in 1992. Interested in visiting? Just pop along to the hotel grounds and you’ll find the tomb sitting within a small enclosure to the right of the main building. 
slieverussell.ie

The Cottage Market
Get a sense of local life in Ballyconnell on the first Saturday of every month with the Cottage Market. There’s a real sense of community spirit as you walk around the market stalls at The Courtyard at Lizzie Buggies. Open between 1pm and 5pm, the mix of stalls includes home baking and handcrafted items, and local musicians are invited along to add a bit of atmosphere to proceedings. 
thecottagemarket.ie