Plan Your Visit

About the Centre

 

The Patrick Kavanagh Centre is housed in this former Roman Catholic church, St Mary’s. This building, which dates from 1820, was deconsecrated in 1974 when a new parish church was built.

Patrick Kavanagh was baptised here, attended regular Mass and served as an altar-boy here in his youth. St Mary’s Church features in his novel, Tarry Flynn, and also in the semi-autobiographical, The Green Fool.

Patrick Kavanagh is buried in the adjoining churchyard, along with his wife Katherine Moloney Kavanagh, his brother Peter, and his sisters Anne and Mary.

Patrick Kavanagh, one of Ireland’s greatest poets, was born here in Inniskeen in 1904. This exhibition honours his life, his writing, and his continuing legacy. Kavanagh’s universal themes of Soul, Love, Beauty, Nature and God are timeless and will resonate in the hearts of readers of all ages for many generations to come.

Plan Your Visit

Our
Experiences

The visitor experience in the centre can be enjoyed in a number of different ways.

Learn more about our tours

Lean more about our tours
  • How to Get Here

    How to Get Here

    Address

    The Patrick Kavanagh Centre,
    Inniskeen, Co. Monaghan, A91 KT20, Ireland

     

    M1 Dublin to South Dundalk

    Follow the Carrickmacross R178 for approx. 5 miles
    At Channonrock junction (Conlon’s pub) turn right for Inniskeen LP1140

     

    N2 from Dublin & Monaghan

    Exit Carrickmacross
    Left along R178 to Essexford
    Left at Kelly’s pub for Inniskeen

     

    From Belfast to Dundalk Bypass via Newry

    Exit for Dundalk town centre
    Follow the Carrickmacross R178 for approx. 5 miles
    At Channonrock (Conlon’s pub) turn right for Inniskeen LP1140

  • Opening Times

    Opening Times

    April – September, Monday to Friday from  10am until 5pm Saturdays and Bank Holidays from 11am until 5pm.

    October – March, Monday to Friday from 10am until 5pm. Closed Bank Holidays over this period.

    Exhibition Box Office closes at 4.15pm

  • Parking

    Parking

    Parking is available directly across the road from the Patrick Kavanagh Centre beside Inniskeen Pitch and Putt.

  • Facilities

    Facilities

    The Patrick Kavanagh Centre is an exhibition and event space, with toilets and baby changing facilities, free WIFI, gift shop and includes visitor information services for tourism in the South Monaghan Region.  A café, The Raglan Road Tea Rooms is located in a restored cottage beside the centre.

  • Tickets & Info

    Tickets & Info

    Patrick Kavanagh Exhibition Experience
    €10 Admission, free entry for Children under 7, €30 Family of 4+ (including 2 or more children)

    – a self-guided tour of the Kavanagh Experience telling the poets story from early childhood in Inniskeen to his blossoming as a poet and ‘character’ in the city of Dublin. Includes the award winning film ‘Pincer Jaws of Heaven’ featuring 10 poems set to stunning footage of Monaghan with an original music score.

     

    Guided Exhibition Tour

    €15 per person, Children under 7 go free. Minimum price €75

    – a guided tour of the Patrick Kavanagh Centre including Kavanaghs grave provided by knowledgeable local guide. Subject to availability of guide and minimum 5 paying customers.  Must be booked in advance.  Contact 042 9378560 or email kavanaghcentre@monaghancoco.ie for details.

    Guided Coach Tour of Kavanagh Trail

    Price on enquiry and subject to minimum 10 paying customers.

    – start with a tour of the Patrick Kavanagh Centre and then take an evocative trip around the Kavanagh Trail.  Includes iconic sites such as Billy Brennans Barn, Kavanaghs Homeplace, Shancoduff and the scenic village of Inniskeen itself.  Must be booked in advance.  Contact 042 9378560 or email kavanaghcentre@monaghancoco.ie for details.

     

    Schools

    For schools wishing to book a tour contact 042 9378560 or email kavanaghcentre@monaghancoco.ie for details.

     

    Book a tour

  • Accessibility

    Accessibility

    The Centre has two floors and is wheelchair accessible on the ground floor with lift access available into the cinema room. The upper floor includes up to 150 seats for visitors to performances stages as part of our festivals and events programme.

  • Useful Information

    Useful Information

    Please allow minimum of one hour for the exhibition experience.  Patrick Kavanagh was laid to rest in the adjoining graveyard and typically visitors to the centre also pay their respects at Patricks grave.  It is also possible to enjoy the Kavanagh Trail which features 10 sites of interest to the Kavanagh Story in and around the environs of Inniskeen.

Book your exhibition ticket today