Welcome to Bailieborough – Fáilte go dtí Coill an Chollaigh
Situated on the eastern side of Cavan, Bailieborough is a Plantation Market Town founded in the early 17th century. Its an area of outstanding natural beauty with many of the attractions within walking distance of the town itself.
As with much of Cavan, the area is also popular with fishermen, with many fully stocked lakes available. Enjoy the hospitality and relaxation only available in Ireland’s famous, green countryside.
Accommodation
Hotels, Houses and B&B’s from the town and around the local area available.
Pubs
A selection of Pubs from the town and Local area.
Food
A selection of local places to grab a bite to eat.
Restaurant & Pub Food
Deli
Walks
Nature walks from around the local area.
Fishing/Angling
With plenty of lakes available, Bailieborough and the surrounding area is perfect for fishing.
- Parker’s Lake
- Castle Lake
- Drumkeary Lake
- Skeagh Lake
- Galloncurra Lake
Supplies for Fishing/Angling can be purchased in Bailie Stores.
Local Information
Bailieborough is a vibrant and busy town set in the mountains of East Cavan. The town is dramatically located under the watchful eye of Lough-an–Leagh mountain (1119ft); an area of outstanding natural beauty. On a fine day it is possible to see 14 counties from the summit.
Restaurants, lakeside chalets and the hotel & shops in the centre of the town ensure Bailieborough caters for all visitors. The town boasts a fine public library; the beautifully restored 17th Century Wesleyan Chapel Arts and Cultural Centre; and leisure centre with swimming pool.
An interesting feature of the town is the “Stations of the Cross” by George Collie, RHA in the Roman Catholic Church. There are also a number of 19th century churches, a Masonic hall and a market house which can be visited. Click here for information on a walking tour of Bailieborough
Walkers will really enjoy the fine walks at the Castle Lake and Forest , just outside the town. The 3km lakeside path circumnavigates the lake offering fine views of the water and birds and wildlife. (see the walks section for map and detailed description). Exploring the forest you will find the Fort and a monument to those who died in the 1748 rebellion at nearby Rebel Hill.
The Town Lake in the centre of Bailieborough and several other lakes in the surrounding area provide excellent coarse and pike fishing. Click here for angling information for Bailieborough.
Bailieborough Leisure Centre
Need to relax or keep fit? You are in luck, with immediate access to both a pool and gym, Bailieborough Leisure Centre is there to cater to options ranging from fitness to relaxation. Featuring a large pool and well equipped gym is one of the best features of the town, with only a 5 minute walk from the Main Street to reach it.
Opening Hours
| Monday | 7.15am-6pm | 8pm-10pm |
| Tuesday | 7.15pm-7pm | 8pm-10pm |
| Wednesday | 7.15am-5.30pm | 8pm-10pm |
| Thursday | 7.15am-8pm | 8pm-10pm |
| Friday | 7.15am-8pm | 8pm-10pm |
| Saturday | 11am-8pm | |
| Sunday | 11am-6pm |
Some articles by people on their experiences talking a relaxing walks around the scenic areas surrounding Bailieborough.
Town Lake and Castle Lake – A Wildlife Walk
If you start your walk from Drumbannon end of the town keep an eye out for the trees that have been planted inside the wall and down towards the Lake-shore.
You should see Irish Oak, Horse Chestnut, Wild Cherry, Purple Beech and a Rowan Tree.
There are an abundant variety of plants and Wild Life which inhabit the area and if you are lucky you will be surprised what you can see.
Walking towards the church car park, you will come across Alder, Hornbeam, Ash, Birch, Hazel and Rhododendron. On your right, there is a path that leads onto the ancient Crannog which is a Bronze Age structure built as a safe refuge for the locals to protect from marauding invaders. On the Crannog, you will see an old Scots Pine which was planted in the eighteenth century and which attracted a grant of five pence per tree planted.
In the beautiful boggy area on the left in Spring and Summer there is an abundance of Heather, Bog Cotton, Sedges and Water Iris growing. This area provides a resting place for the wide variety of bird-life which breed and thrive in this area. Out on the water you can enjoy the newly arrived Mallard, Mute Swans, Moorhen and Great Crested Grebe. On the bog the secretive Snipe feed and hide until disturbed by a passing walker or rambling dog.
This walk can be completed in fifteen minutes but if you want to absorb all that this area has to offer you could comfortably pass an hour of very enjoyable time.
If you are feeling energetic carry on to the Castle Lake which can be accessed from the Cavan Road and the Creamery Road.
This beautiful stretch of water is one of around half a dozen Lakes in Ireland that has a looped walk circumnavigating the Lake. The shorter walk, 3km takes about 45 minutes and the longer one 7km will take 90 minutes.
Here you will find the ruins of Bailieborough Castle, built in the 18th Century. Close-by there is the Hanging Tree and near-by hidden away in the plantation is the little Cemetery, which contains the Graves of the Seven Marist Brothers, whose order used the Castle as a Novitiate.
In the Spring and Summer, the area is a riot of colours and the Bluebells are magical. Tall Foxgloves adorn the sides of the paths as you make your way around the lake.
The area around the Lake has been planted by Coillte and you will see the trees at their various stages of development. There are a couple of Ancient Oaks which have been around for hundreds of years and worth a visit.
The wildlife is abundant and is very visible.
On the water you can see Mute Swans, Mallard, Great Crested Grebe, Moorhen, Cormorant and a single Gull. Where the Lear River enters the Lake keep an eye out for the magnificent Kingfisher and the Grey Heron standing motionless waiting for his lunch to swim past. At the Stone Bridge where the stream exits from the lake, the Dipper can be spotted and in Summer the Bats can feed in this area. Overhead you may here the call of the Raven as they play and the Buzzard, with its distinctive call is now a regular visitor As it soars in the heavens on the air currents.
The Cavan Branch of Birdwatch Ireland have an annual Dawn Chorus outing starting at 4:30am where a symphony of birdsong can be heard all along the Lake-shore walks.
If you visit at a quiet time you may be surprised by a Red Squirrel, Otter, Pine Marten or Fox.
Town Lake and Castle Lake – A Wildlife Walk
If you start your walk from Drumbannon end of the town keep an eye out for the trees that have been planted inside the wall and down towards the Lake-shore.
You should see Irish Oak, Horse Chestnut, Wild Cherry, Purple Beech and a Rowan Tree.
There are an abundant variety of plants and Wild Life which inhabit the area and if you are lucky you will be surprised what you can see.
Walking towards the church car park, you will come across Alder, Hornbeam, Ash, Birch, Hazel and Rhododendron. On your right, there is a path that leads onto the ancient Crannog which is a Bronze Age structure built as a safe refuge for the locals to protect from marauding invaders. On the Crannog, you will see an old Scots Pine which was planted in the eighteenth century and which attracted a grant of five pence per tree planted.
In the beautiful boggy area on the left in Spring and Summer there is an abundance of Heather, Bog Cotton, Sedges and Water Iris growing. This area provides a resting place for the wide variety of bird-life which breed and thrive in this area. Out on the water you can enjoy the newly arrived Mallard, Mute Swans, Moorhen and Great Crested Grebe. On the bog the secretive Snipe feed and hide until disturbed by a passing walker or rambling dog.
This walk can be completed in fifteen minutes but if you want to absorb all that this area has to offer you could comfortably pass an hour of very enjoyable time.
If you are feeling energetic carry on to the Castle Lake which can be accessed from the Cavan Road and the Creamery Road.
This beautiful stretch of water is one of around half a dozen Lakes in Ireland that has a looped walk circumnavigating the Lake. The shorter walk, 3km takes about 45 minutes and the longer one 7km will take 90 minutes.
Here you will find the ruins of Bailieborough Castle, built in the 18th Century. Close-by there is the Hanging Tree and near-by hidden away in the plantation is the little Cemetery, which contains the Graves of the Seven Marist Brothers, whose order used the Castle as a Novitiate.
In the Spring and Summer, the area is a riot of colours and the Bluebells are magical. Tall Foxgloves adorn the sides of the paths as you make your way around the lake.
The area around the Lake has been planted by Coillte and you will see the trees at their various stages of development. There are a couple of Ancient Oaks which have been around for hundreds of years and worth a visit.
The wildlife is abundant and is very visible.
On the water you can see Mute Swans, Mallard, Great Crested Grebe, Moorhen, Cormorant and a single Gull. Where the Lear River enters the Lake keep an eye out for the magnificent Kingfisher and the Grey Heron standing motionless waiting for his lunch to swim past. At the Stone Bridge where the stream exits from the lake, the Dipper can be spotted and in Summer the Bats can feed in this area. Overhead you may here the call of the Raven as they play and the Buzzard, with its distinctive call is now a regular visitor As it soars in the heavens on the air currents.
The Cavan Branch of Birdwatch Ireland have an annual Dawn Chorus outing starting at 4:30am where a symphony of birdsong can be heard all along the Lake-shore walks.
If you visit at a quiet time you may be surprised by a Red Squirrel, Otter, Pine Marten or Fox.
Lough an Leagh Walk, (the lake of the cure) Bailieborough
Terrain: Mountain and forest paths Distance: 7 km
Grade: Moderate Approx Time: 1 hr 20 mins
Located between the towns of Kingscourt and Bailieborough. Follow signs to Lough an Leagh from both towns. Parking is available at top of the mountain near the main picnic area and Mass Rock. There is a fairy fort to the right of the mass rock lovely views. Follow the ‘Adrian’s Way’ sign 100 metres from the Mass Rock. Turn left up Adrian’s Way, through the kissing gate. After 600m is a bench on the right with views towards Bailieborough and Cavan Town. On a clear day Cuilcagh Mountain and the windmills in West Cavan are visible. 600m further on the path enters a forested area. Upon reaching a fork in the path, turn left towards the booster station/mast. There is a picnic bench half way up. On a clear day 13 counties are visible from the summit. To the East is the Irish Sea. After rejoining the main path through the forest, continue until the path splits in three. Straight on will bring you to a picnic table at the Kingscourt/Bailieborough Road. Otherwise, take a sharp right to bring you back towards the mass rock and picnic area. The path here is stony so sensible shoes are required. After 1km, you arrive at a public road. Turn left for Bailieborough or right to return to the mass rock. There is steep uphill climb back to the car.
Facilities: Picnic Tables; Information panels Nearby Attractions: Dun a Rí Forest Park, Kingscourt; Wesleyan Chapel, Bailieborough Arts & Culture Centre; Castle Lake Walk, Bailieborough
Town Lake
Roadside car park and some bank-side swims on the west side of the lake.
Parker’s Lake
This rich little lake is very popular but is heavily reed fringed with some stands provided.
The lake itself spans a 15 acre radius. The water is reeded and holds a good stock of quality Bream, with Roach Perch, Pike and Eel. Access to the lake is over private land.
Castle Lake
Well developed fishery in a Coillte (national forestry agency) forest with several access points to car parks. Disabled stand access provided together with a fine network of stands around the lake. There are barriers at the car parks so a trolley to carry gear to walk to the middle areas of the lake is desirable along the beautiful walk around the lake.
The lake is of a 50 acre radius and can be found in the middle of a forest. Parking and access to the lake are very good. It is a rich fishery which provides good fishing for Bream, Roach, Hybrids, Perch, Pike and Eel. Bream fishing is best between the months of April to October, with Roach and Pike fishing throughout the year.
Drumkeary Lake
Smaller fishery to the north of Castle Lake with some difficult roadside parking. Fishing in some roadside swims. Good Pike fishing.
Skeagh Lake
A big lake located above Drumkeary Lake. Small road with some roadside parking and a new car park & boat slipway. Fishing from the east side of the lake. Boat fishing for Pike is excellent on this lake.
It is one and a quarter miles long running north to south and one third of a mile wide at it widest part. It is surrounded by low hills rising to 712 feet above sea level. It has a surface area of 160 acres and a shorline of 3.5 miles. Fishing is from a number of swims on the eastern shoreline. The depth is sloping to about 8 ft on the pole at 13mt to about 18 ft at 40 and 80 reel turns.
Boat hire: 042 966 5340
Galloncurra Lake
Small developed fishery below Parker’s Lake near Killinkere. There are 5 stands provided. Shore can be dangerous in very wet weather. Good Pike fishing.
Information kindly supplied by Cavan Tourism and prebait.com
Many different evening activities are catered for in and around the Bailieborough area. There are many bars open until late and if you are still looking to continue later in the night, you have the Bailie Nightclub located in the center of the town.
For eating out in town, there are both Fox’s Bar & Restaurant and The Bailie Hotel available, no bookings required, just walk in, sit down and enjoy.
If you need to catch a bite after the bars, there are plenty of fast food establishments open late into the night catering to all tastes. Taxi services are available after the bars close to bring you to your accommodation if needed.