Discover Lavagh

Lavagh combines traces of the past with paths through the landscape. Nearby, Knocknashee invites exploration with its open summit plateau and sweeping views; in the village itself, a circular route and the Knocknashee Community Hub complete the picture. Court Abbey and Mullinabreena Church also tell different stories. Which of these aspects interests you most can help you decide the focus of your stay and choose the right holiday rental in Lavagh.

Knocknashee: plateau, views and an ancient settlement

Located near Lavagh, Knocknashee is a flat-topped limestone hill that stands 276 metres high. The Knocknashee Trail provides access to the open plateau at the summit. On a clear day, views stretch across Connacht: south to Croagh Patrick, north to Benbulben and Knocknarea, and east towards Boyle. These landmarks give the view different horizons; when visibility varies, the plateau itself remains a distinctive feature of the landscape.

Knocknashee is also notable for its earlier settlement. The hill was once home to a Bronze Age hillfort covering 700 by 320 metres. Two ramparts built of limestone and earth, huts and two cairns are still visible. If you are interested in history, you can take in both the landscape and its surviving structures here, rather than seeing the hill simply as a viewpoint.

Two different details are important when planning your route: the path up Knocknashee is 490 metres long from the lower gate to the upper gate. It climbs steeply at first, with steps on the steepest section. This can help you decide in advance whether the climb fits your plans for the day. If you are travelling with your family, you can take the gradient into account when planning your day and make Knocknashee a particular focus.

Outdoor activities and community in Lavagh

The Nace O’Dowd Park in Lavagh offers a different way to spend time outdoors. It has a 480-metre circular route for walking and running, completed in 2018 and known as the Connacht Gold Track. Its circular layout and designated use distinguish it from the uphill route on Knocknashee. You can plan accordingly, depending on whether you prefer a circular route in the village or the path up to the plateau.

The Knocknashee Community Hub is a community project in Lavagh. It includes a meeting place, a café and an event venue. The café is run by local community volunteers and welcomes visitors who want to enjoy the surrounding countryside and walking trails.

Churches and history

Court Abbey is the ruin of a 15th- and 16th-century church in the townland of Lavagh. It offers a distinct historical point of interest alongside the Bronze Age traces on Knocknashee. At the “Discovering Court” event, geophysical surveys were demonstrated in the field east of Court Abbey in Lavagh; visitors could take part in site visits and demonstrations. The event thus offered an insight into the study of the site.

Mullinabreena Church, also known as the Church of the Sacred Heart, opened on 9 November 1884 and has been the parish church of Achonry ever since. Its remarkable collection of stained-glass windows, memorial inscriptions and religious artworks reflects more than a century of parish history. Those interested in religious art and local history will find a different perspective here from the ruins of Court Abbey or the visible structures on Knocknashee.

More places to explore

Discover more places: Curry, Derry, Castlebaldwin, Cliffony, Gorteen, Geevagh, Tiratick and Ballygawley.

For the wider travel overview: County Sligo.