County Monaghan – created in 1585 from the MacMahon lands
County Monaghan came into being in 1585, when Lord Deputy Sir John Perrot met local Irish chieftains who asked for their lands in the old kingdom of Airgíalla to be formally apportioned to them. The new county was divided into five baronies: Farney, Cremorne, Dartrey and Monaghan under the MacMahons, and Truagh under the McKennas.
Much older traces remain too: court cairns, dolmens and wedge tombs are spread across the county. Unlike most of Ulster, Monaghan was not planted after 1603, and much land stayed with the native families. Today it is a county of rolling drumlins, lakes and lively market towns with around 65,000 residents. Have a Monaghan story to share? Tell the community!