A NEW tourist trail focusing on Monaghan Town was officially launched at The Market House on Monday last, May 19.

The trail comprises of ten points of heritage interest, which are the Rossmore Monument in the Diamond, St. Patrick’s Church of Ireland in Church Square, Monaghan Courthouse, Aviemore House on Hill St, Monaghan Co. Museum, the Market House, the Canal Walk, Old Cross Square, Peter’s Lake and the Old Railway Station on the North Road.

An informative brochure detailing the trail was distributed at the launch and will be widely available in the area. County Manager Declan Nelson described the trail as a “very important contribution” that Monaghan Town Council in collaboration with Monaghan Co. Council had made to local tourism and heritage. He added that the trail outlined took 40 minutes to complete but people following it could extend it if they wished. Mr. Nelson thanked everybody involved in the Town Trail, expressing particular appreciation to Town Clerk, Marie Deighan, Town Engineer, Gareth McMahon and said that the exercise was already being repeated in Clones and was effectively in place in Carrickmacross. Ballybay and Castleblayney are next on the list.

Co. Mayor Gary Carville also commended everybody involved and said, “It will enable everybody to share and experience the heritage that is Monaghan.” Cathaoirleach of Monaghan Town Council, Padraigín Uí Mhurachadha also spoke at the launch and said that she hoped that from an educational aspect that the trail would be beneficial.