Discover Mount Nugent

Traditional basket weaving, church architecture and historic buildings are among Mount Nugent’s defining themes. The Carraig Craft Visitor Centre, two churches from different building periods, a limestone bridge and Lisnabrin House each give the village its own cultural or architectural character.

Crafts and church architecture

The Carraig Craft Visitor Centre in Mount Nugent is a museum with exhibitions on traditional basket weaving. This craft theme complements the village’s architecture. If you are particularly interested in basket weaving, the museum is a fitting focus for exploring this local subject. Check the current visiting arrangements before you go.

St Bride’s Church of Ireland Church is a Gothic Revival hall-and-tower church dating from 1804. Most of its historic features remain intact, and the interior has also undergone only minor changes. Notable details include an excellent staircase, a gallery and joinery.

St Brigid’s Roman Catholic Church is a detached Roman Catholic church with a T-shaped plan, built around 1820. Its Gothic Revival chancel and sacristy additions date from around 1890. The decorative ceiling design is probably from the late 19th century. Together, the two churches show different architectural forms and several layers from different periods: from the 1804 construction date of St Bride’s to the later additions at St Brigid’s.

Bridge and historic building at the village entrance

The four-bay limestone road bridge in Mount Nugent was built around 1750 and crosses a tributary of Lough Sheelin. Its appearance is defined by several arches, a sturdy structure, rustic cutwaters and massive wing walls. The bridge is considered an example of a bridge type that is now relatively rare. Its architectural details give it a picturesque appearance and make it a prominent feature of the approach to Mount Nugent.

Lisnabrin House is a historic building on the southern approach to Mount Nugent and retains its traditional form. Its surviving features include sash windows and a distinctive porch, which contribute to the house’s character and charm. Together with the bridge, it complements the church architecture with other historic building forms in the village landscape.

More destinations in the wider County Cavan destination

In the wider County Cavan destination, the 21.7 km long-distance trail Cavan Way connects the villages of Dowra and Blacklion. Cavan Way in County Cavan runs along rural and riverside paths, quiet roads, karst terrain and open bogland. Cavan Way in the wider County Cavan destination therefore offers a different theme from Mount Nugent’s village architecture: the focus here is on the varied landscapes along a long-distance trail.

Cavan Burren Park is also part of the wider County Cavan destination and is an important site in the Cuilcagh Lakelands UNESCO Global Geopark. Killykeen Forest Park, meanwhile, is located in the wider County Cavan destination, around the Lough Oughter lake system. Killykeen Forest Park in the wider County Cavan destination has accessible walking trails and a family cycling trail.

In the wider County Cavan destination, Killeshandra Lake and Forest Walk is a 6 km marked trail suitable for a family outing. The route map for Killeshandra Lake and Forest Walk in the wider County Cavan destination was last updated in 2021, so check current conditions locally. For a different focus, St Kilian’s Heritage Centre in Mullagh, County Cavan, provides information about the life and influence of St Kilian. The exhibition includes a 15-minute audiovisual presentation, maps, photographs, statuettes, manuscript facsimiles and art reproductions.

Discover more destinations: Cavan, Belturbet, Mullagh, Cloverhill, Dowra, Swanlinbar, Ballyconnell, Blacklion.

See the wider travel guide: County Cavan.