Ireland Guide
Louth, Monaghan and Cavan
Inniskeen
Best accessed from Dundalk, a dozen kilometres east, the village of Inniskeen was the birthplace of the poet and writer Patrick Kavanagh. His grave can be found beside St Mary's Church, while the church annexe houses the Patrick Kavanagh Rural and Literary Resource Centre (Tues– Fri 11am–4.30pm, plus mid-March to Sept Sat 2–6pm & June– Sept Sun 2–6pm; 
042/937 8560, 
www.patrickkavanaghcountry.com ; €5) which has stacks of memorabilia related to the poet, as well as a specially commissioned series of twelve paintings based upon his epic and extraordinarily emotive poem The Great Hunger. The centre stages several weekends devoted to poetry and writing, plus an annual weekend in late November celebrating Kavanagh's life and work. If you're in need of refreshment try the aptly named Poet's Rest coffee shop next door. The only accommodation in the village is provided by Gleneven House ( 042/937 8294, www.gleneven.com ; Price: €60-90), a hundred metres or so towards Dundalk from the Resource Centre,which has a mix of comfy en-suite and standard rooms.