My Ireland
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“To be dead is to stop believing in the masterpieces we will begin tomorrow.” – Patrick Kavanagh (1904 – 1967)
The famous poet and novelist may not be around to see it, but a mini-masterpiece has been created in his honour amid the rolling drumlins of his home village of Inniskeen, County Monaghan. The deconsecrated 18th-century St Mary’s Church is a fitting site for the Patrick Kavanagh Centre, an attraction dedicated to the author of beloved works such as On Raglan Road and The Great Hunger. A young Kavanagh regularly attended mass here and even served as an altar boy. Today, devotees of his lyrical work can come to pay homage to the literary legend. The exhibition depicts stages of Patrick Kavanagh’s life and artistic craft through touchscreens, letters, film and more, all of which can be enjoyed on the self-guided tour.
For a more in-depth experience, opt for the guided or deluxe guided tour experience. The former includes a poignant visit to Kavanagh’s grave in the churchyard, as well as a short trip to Inniskeen village, while the latter involves a bus trip along the Kavanagh Trail. The trail can also be walked or cycled and takes in many locations around the idyllic countryside that feature in his work, including the Kavanagh Homestead and Billy Brennan’s Barn. For fans of the Monaghan man, or for those interested in finding out about one of Ireland’s most important writers, it’s a great way to uncover the world that inspired him. This is Kavanagh country, a land of farmers, rural landscapes and old Irish life forever immortalised in gorgeous verse.
Patrick Kavanagh Centre, County Monaghan
Need to know
The Patrick Kavanagh Centre is open Monday to Friday, 10am to 5pm.
More information on booking self-guided, guided and deluxe guided tour experiences can be found on the site.
Facilities include a gift shop, toilets with baby changing rooms, free WIFI and The Raglan Road Tea Rooms, a delightful little café in a restored cottage beside the centre.
