Clontibret: Churches, Architectural History and Trails

Clontibret brings together buildings of ecclesiastical history and the Monaghan Way. This gives you a choice when planning your trip: focus on local and architectural history, or take a greater interest in trails and landscapes. The story of the Battle of Clontibret is also part of County Monaghan’s history.

Churches and architectural history in Clontibret

Saint Colman’s Church is a freestanding, gable-fronted Church of Ireland church, built from 1840 to 1842. The ruins of a 16th- or 17th-century church lie immediately beside it. Together with a graveyard and an early 19th-century schoolhouse, the church and ruins form a group of buildings with ecclesiastical history. The contrast between the older ruins and the 19th-century church makes the different periods of construction a central aspect of this ensemble.

Clontibret Orange Hall is also a notable example of local architectural history: the freestanding, three-bay, two-storey hall dates from 1901. Its decorated ridge tiles and window arrangement preserve elements of its architectural heritage.

Another point of interest is Saint Colman’s Church Hall. The freestanding, L-shaped schoolhouse dates from 1862, has three bays and two storeys, and is now used as a community hall. Together with Saint Colman’s Church of Ireland and the graveyard to the east, it forms a group of buildings with ecclesiastical history. Clontibret thus brings together several distinct building types and uses: a church, older church ruins, a hall and a community hall.

Battle history and trails

The history of County Monaghan includes the Battle of Clontibret, fought in May 1595 during the Nine Years’ War. It ended in victory for Hugh O’Neill and is considered the first major setback for English forces during the war. This places the town’s history in a wider historical context without limiting the battle’s story to the churches mentioned above.

In 2017, work began at Clontibret Church of Ireland to create a car park that was intended to serve as an access point to the battle site. Before visiting, check whether the car park and access are currently available.

Clontibret is also connected to the Monaghan Way. The trail follows quiet country roads, cross-country paths, riverside paths and lakeshore paths. Its variety of routes and landscapes offers a different focus from the buildings associated with ecclesiastical history. When planning your stay, you can weigh up whether architectural history or a route through changing landscapes better suits your interests.

County Monaghan as a broader area of interest

County Monaghan also has cultural attractions with their own regional focus. Monaghan County Museum at the Peace Campus in Monaghan Town offers a varied programme of exhibitions and events about the county’s history. The Patrick Kavanagh Experience in Inniskeen presents the poet’s life through artefacts, multimedia, texts and films. Your guided tour includes the main exhibition, a visit to Patrick Kavanagh’s grave, a short walk around Inniskeen and the Poetry Jukebox at the River Fane. If you plan to visit, check the tour’s current booking conditions in advance.

Other themes in County Monaghan range from social history to traditional crafts. At Carrickmacross Workhouse, tours explain life, death and emigration during the Great Famine of the 1840s; the building has been restored as a visitor and community centre. At Carrickmacross Lace Gallery, you can view and buy Carrickmacross lace. Demonstrations are available on request. It is advisable to confirm the availability of tours and demonstrations in advance.

Discover more destinations: Lisnalong, Clones, Monaghan, Corkeeran, Glaslough, Ballybay, Tedavnet, Carrickmacross.

For the broader travel guide: County Monaghan.