In Lisnalong, fishing at Ballynascarva Bridge and Lisnalong Lake goes hand in hand with canoeing on the Dromore. The facilities offer several points to consider when planning your visit—from a baiting spot and parking to a guided trip with a set starting point and destination. You can plan your time by the water around a fishing spot or a paddling trip, and consider other attractions in County Monaghan as an additional option.

Fishing at Ballynascarva Bridge and Lisnalong Lake

There are fishing areas next to Ballynascarva Bridge, where bank fishing is possible. Upstream of the bridge on the River Dromore, there is a baiting spot for bream, roach, hybrids, perch and pike. Angling information about the bridge was published in 2018. Check current local access before fishing; conditions and access may change.

Lisnalong Lake is home to tench, bream, roach, hybrids, perch and pike. Parking is available along the main road. The species lists for the lake and bridge area overlap, including bream, roach, hybrids, perch and pike; tench is also listed for the lake. A baiting spot upstream of the crossing is noted at the bridge, while parking along the main road is indicated at the lake.

Canoe Trips on the Dromore

The first half of a canoe trip starting in Lisnalong follows the Dromore along the border between County Cavan and County Monaghan. This border route gives the first section a clear geographical reference and offers a distinct experience alongside the fishing spots at the lake and bridge.

Guided canoe trips last about three hours. They start at Ballinascarva Bridge in Lisnalong, County Monaghan, and finish at Haltons Park in Cootehill. Include the endpoint in your day’s plans and check the latest trip details before travelling.

Culture and Nature in County Monaghan

For more cultural attractions in County Monaghan, Monaghan County Museum at the Peace Campus in Monaghan Town offers a varied programme of exhibitions and events about the county’s history. In Inniskeen, the Patrick Kavanagh Experience explores the poet’s life through artefacts, multimedia, texts and films. The guided tour includes the main exhibition, a visit to Patrick Kavanagh’s grave, a short walk around Inniskeen and a visit to the Poetry Jukebox on the River Fane. Check the tour’s booking conditions in advance.

Carrickmacross Workhouse has been restored as a visitor and community centre. Guided tours there explain life, death and emigration during the Great Famine of the 1840s. At the Carrickmacross Lace Gallery, you can view and buy Carrickmacross lace; demonstrations are available on request. The two attractions have different focuses: tours at the workhouse cover history and emigration, while the Lace Gallery centres on traditional craft.

County Monaghan also offers more opportunities for nature and water activities. Lough Muckno Leisure Park in Castleblayney covers 900 acres of wooded grounds and offers fishing, walking trails, water sports and picnic areas. National and international waterskiing and angling competitions are held at Lough Muckno; check the dates if you would like to plan around a competition. Alongside canoe trips on the Dromore, the county therefore offers other activities centred on water and nature.

Discover more destinations: Mullinacross, Carrickmacross, Clones, Ballybay, Glaslough, Clontibret, Doohamlat, Corkeeran.

For the broader travel overview: County Monaghan.