Ballybay

united kingdom

Ballybay sits among County Monaghan's drumlins, those distinctive rounded hills left by glaciers that give this area its character. The town revolves around Lough Major, grand for fishing and kayaking, with the Wetlands Centre nearby for birdwatchers. The R183 connects you straight to Castleblayney and Cootehill, while Monaghan town is just 15 km up the road. For Dublin, head south to pick up the N2. The border's close by, so you'll see plenty of Northern reg plates about. The main street keeps its proper market town feel, with traditional shopfronts and local pubs that haven't changed much since Patrick Kavanagh's time in nearby Inniskeen.