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Irish Independent
01-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
August bank holiday in Monaghan: Five fun-filled attractions to do as Farney County gears up for weekend of entertainment
In keeping with previous years, a comprehensive line up of events and attractions have been pencilled in by community groups and local dotted across its inviting landscape over the course of the next number of days. Here are a flavour of just some of the many eye-catching delights and activities that are in store over the coming days. Follow Independent Monaghan on Facebook Plein Air Workshops in Rossmore Forest Park In what is arguably one of Monaghan's most treasured locations, Rossmore Forest Park will provide the backdrop to an outdoor spectacle for art enthusiasts that has to be seen to be believed. Armagh native and Monaghan resident Lynsey McKernan will lead a three hour workshop on Friday (August 1) entitled 'Lughnasadh'. The session will guide enthusiasts through the unique experience of painting outdoors – immersed in nature and responding to the lights, atmosphere, and shifting elements. Those taking part will be afforded the chance to create a piece that captures not just what you see, but how the moment feels. All materials are provided, and the workshop is free. No experience needed with beginners and all levels welcome. Castleblayney Show The Castleblayney Show on Bank Holiday Monday (August 4) attracts a large crowd from the local, national and even international areas. Agriculture is the show's main focus but this has broadened over the past number of years to include Side Shows, Trade Stands, The All Ireland Baking Championship, an Artisan Food Hall showcasing local produce at its very best, and much, much more. Children's Entertainment is free and includes Face Painting, Hair braiding, science fun and plenty more on the day. The success of Castleblayney Show has ensured its position as one of Monaghan's Major attractions and the program of events incorporates many elements including Cultural, Commercial and Competitive Interests ranging from Cattle, Sheep, Goats, Horses, Poultry, Home Industries, Horticulture, Needlework, Crafts, Photography, Art, Post primary and primary schools. The Show provides hours of opportunity for you to see the latest inventions, product services available in the county and surrounding areas and sample food and refreshments from a wide range of suppliers. Carrickmacross Walking Tour The Walking Tour of Carrickmacross aims to bring alive the vibrant history of the south Monaghan town, including the Famine Times, the two families who owned the town for many years while also charting its time through the War of Independence. Carrickmacross can call upon many famous residents, including Daniel McGovern and Patrick Kavanagh with plaques dedicated to their work being seen as part of the tour. Other cultural items of interest are Carrickmacross Lace and the Harry Clarke stained glass windows in local Churches. The tour takes approximately one hour with participants being asked to wear comfortable walking shoes. Due to the inclement Irish weather, organisers have also advised members of the public to bring an umbrella and a rain jacket. There is no charge to take part in the tour and no booking is required, however numbers will be restricted due to health and safety reasons. On that basis, a designated meeting point to the front of the Shirley Arms Hotel at 11am has been pencilled in. If you have a large group and would like to organise a private tour, please contact the Chamber of Commerce Secretary at the email info@ (Please note: There will be a fee for private tours.) Pay a visit to Castleblayney Outdoor Activity Centre Castleblayney Outdoor Adventure Centre is located in the beautiful surroundings of Muckno Lake and wooded parklands. The Centre is ideally located to suit the many water sports and outdoor activities programmes on offer. A facility that has become a haven for children in the throes of their summer holidays, a wide variety of camps offering everything from kayaking, climbing and shelter building have become a firm and keenly awaited fixture on the local landscape. Sample the delights of Gr8 Entertainment There are few, if any, better ways to keep the kids occupied over the bank holiday than to pay a visit to Castleblayney's GR8 Entertainment. Established in 2010 to provide a new way of entertainment for people in the North East, this thrill-seeking entertainment complex, caters for all ages from one-year-old upwards. What's more, GR8 Entertainment have been catering for School Tours for over 15 years, taking in nearly 100,000 children through its doors since first opening. Put simply, GR8 Entertainment boasts the best 10 Pin bowling xxperience in the North East. Its 10,000 sq ft soft-play area is equipped with a three tier climbing frame, slides, ball polls and toddler play area. Factor in golf simulators, gaming areas, arcades and much, much more, you could do a lot worse than to mark your bank holiday card for a visit to Monaghan's premier entertainment complex.
Irish Independent
26-06-2025
- Irish Independent
Bare-chested man was so irate following late night brawl gardaí ‘could hear his teeth grinding in anger', court hears
Today at 09:27 Gardaí were forced to arrest a bare-chested man who was found in such a 'highly aggressive' state following a late night brawl that officers could hear his teeth grinding in anger, a court has heard. Twenty-eight-year-old Darren Cunningham, of Glasdrummond Road, Crossmaglen, Armagh was detained as gardaí responded to reports that a fight had broken out moments earlier along Castleblayney's Main Street on July 14, 2019. Follow Independent Monaghan on Facebook Sgt Lisa McEntee said when officers arrived at the scene they found the 'shirtless' Cunningham with cuts to his face. Judge Gerry Jones was told when questions were asked of the accused as to how he sustained his injuries, Cunningham declined to provide any information, instead stating that he had fallen just prior to gardaí's arrival on the scene. Sgt McEntee said in the ensuing minutes that followed, Cunningham's manner took a more militant turn in an episode the court heard was fuelled by the Armagh man's alcohol intake. 'He declined to provide any information and was highly intoxicated and aggressive,' Sgt McEntee continued. The court was told Cunningham's frustration intensified to such an extent that 'gardaí could hear the grinding of his teeth' in a show of unbridled anger which coincided with his arrest. Less than three months later, Judge Jones was told of how Cunningham was arrested for a second time where he was found once again in a 'highly intoxicated' state. Unlike the earlier episode, however, Cunningham on this occasion provided gardaí with a false name which ultimately led to his arrest and subsequent prosecution. Upon hearing the State's evidence, to which Cunningham pleaded guilty to, Judge Jones ordered him to spend a period of time in the holding cells of Monaghan Courthouse. When the case was recalled, defence solicitor Niall Fox said while the charges were of 'some vintage' dating back six years, there were certain mitigating factors at play. 'On both occasions, he was very heavily intoxicated,' he said. 'It's not an excuse but he had been the subject of a very serious assault and didn't want to explain that to the guards.' Mr Fox contended his client was very much contrite over his actions on both occasions, adding how the hour and half spent in custody had provided a 'very salutary' lesson for him. And, in a bid to convey that sense of remorse to the court, Mr Fox said Cunningham would not be opposing the court to hold onto €750 in bail monies which had been previously handed in. Judge Jones subsequently accepted that offer by allocating the three figure sum to the court poor box before striking out the case.
Irish Independent
24-06-2025
- Irish Independent
Monaghan gardaí crack down on illegal tints and road offences as motorists fined en route to Donegal International Rally
Officers attached to the county's Roads Policing Unit stopped and examined a string of vehicles which were en route to the three day annual car race. A large number of those that were pulled in included vehicles with excessive window tinting. Follow Independent Monaghan on Facebook 'Monaghan Roads Policing Unit were conducting checkpoints monitoring the large volumes of traffic heading for the Donegal Rally,' said a garda spokesperson. 'A number of vehicles were stopped with illegal tints. 'Effects of illegal tints reduce visibility, especially at night or in low light conditions and can hinder a driver's ability to see other road users and pedestrians, increasing the risk of collisions.' One of those to fall under the scrutiny of gardaí was also found to have no NCT, resulting in its seizure. Gardaí released an image of a black Lexus which had no NCT in a detection that will see its driver being hit with a fine and penalty points. 'Other offences for speeding and non-display of N plates were also detected,' added the spokesperson. 'Fixed charge penalty notices will be issued to the drivers.'
Irish Independent
19-05-2025
- Irish Independent
Monaghan community left reeling by loss of ‘totally devoted' family man following Co Armagh road crash
Sixty-two-year-old Paddy McDonald from Errybane, Castleblayney, Monaghan, died when his bicycle was involved in a collision with a car on the Monaghan Road in the Middletown area of Armagh shortly before 2:30pm on Friday. Follow Independent Monaghan on Facebook The popular Monaghan man was pronounced dead at the scene, prompting a PSNI investigation to kick into action. The road was closed for a period of time as officers conducted inquiries and as senior police officials embarked on an appeal for potential eye witnesses to come forward. In the midst of those efforts, tributes have been paid to the well-respected Castleblayney man, many of which have come from a community still reeling by the loss of one of its most endeared and inimitable of characters. 'Paddy was totally devoted to his precious mother Peggy and auntie Bridge,' wrote one local woman. 'They were so blessed to have such a caring son and nephew and Paddy will be so greatly missed.' A death notice on told of how Paddy was remembered with love by his mother, Peggy and sister Marian, aunts Bridge, Kathleen, Ann and Josie, extended family, neighbours and friends. Other tributes singled out the keen cyclist's penchant for the Louth Hunt where Paddy's love for the outdoors and warm persona were perhaps best exemplified. 'Paddy was a great follower of Louth Hunt and a true gentleman, he will be greatly missed by all who knew him,' a further tribute read from a Co Louth based friend. But it was perhaps the flood of heart-rending testimonies that came from several neighbours and friends of Paddy's in his home town, which shone the spotlight on a man and personality who was admired by all who knew him. 'He will be greatly missed around the town of Castleblayney,' noted one local couple, soundings which were echoed by another local man who described his late friend as 'one of life's true gentlemen'.
Irish Independent
15-05-2025
- Health
- Irish Independent
‘Doctors and nurses are at their wits' end' – Health Minister under fire over ‘callous ripping' of services from Monaghan Hospital
The call came from Cavan-Monaghan TD Cathy Bennett as concerns were aired over accident and emergency waiting time lists and the hundreds of patients still waiting to access potentially vital MRI services at Cavan General Hospital. Follow Independent Monaghan on Facebook Ms Bennett lambasted what she branded the 'gall of circular logic' concerning the suitability and demand for an MRI machine in Monaghan Hospital. 'The HSE tells us it cannot determine this without a feasibility study, but that there is not a plan for a feasibility report because there is no service requirement, as people have access to Cavan,' she said. 'Over 1,000 people whom a consultant has determined to be in need of a scan are waiting three months to a year. 'Some 58 people are waiting for more than 12 months and we are told there is not a need to examine the possibility of a machine in Monaghan Hospital and the impact it would have. The gall of circular logic is utterly astounding.' In response, Junior Health Minister Jennifer Murnane O'Connor pointed to a 70pc increase in bed numbers at Monaghan Hospital with the development of pain services, haemochromatosis and an expansion of cardiology services very much ongoing. The Carlow-Kilkenny TD said she was also conscious of recent media reports concerning bed allocation rates at the hospital and confirmed HSE bosses had not made an application for CT or MRI facilities in Monaghan to date. Follow Independent Cavan on Facebook 'However, Cavan and Monaghan Hospital has made an application to replace the existing MRI scanner located in Cavan,' she stated. 'The project has been approved and works are expected to be completed by the end of this year.' Despite those admissions, the former Monaghan County Council cathaoirleach expressed her disappointment at Ms Carroll MacNeill's absence, insisting references of 'substantial investment' were short of what patients in the Farney County required. ADVERTISEMENT 'She should come and do a spot-check and see how overcrowded the hospital in Cavan is and how doctors and nurses are at their wits' end. It is unsafe (and) something needs to be done. 'Put the proper equipment into Monaghan hospital and that will reduce waiting lists.'
