Cavan Town, founded by the O’Reillys, is unusual in that it was Ireland’s only medieval Gaelic Town. It takes its name from the Irish word Cabhain which means hollow. In the late 13th Century, brothers Ferghal and Giolla Iosa Rua O’Reilly settled at Tullac Mangain. Up to the early 1400s it was a thriving market town but it was then burned by the Normans in 1439. It was unfortunately burned for the second time in 1468 by the English Lord Deputy Tiptoff, Earl of Worcester. Historically Cavan was part of the western province of Connaught but it officially became part of Ulster in 1584 when Breffni was shired and became the county of Cavan.
In the early 17th century, when Cavan was planted with English and Scottish settlers, it became the chief town of the county. In 1610 Cavan town received a municipal charter of incorporation from King James I (VI of Scotland).
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In Cavan Gaol, some inmates broke out by whittling away at the railings and replacing them with wooden railings until they were ready to flee… Read More>>
The borough of Cavan was established and this meant that it was entitled to hold a set number of markets and fairs. It could also send two members to Parliament and regulate its own affairs. In the early 1600s, County Cavan was planted with English and Scottish settlers. Cavan then became the chief town of the county. In 1610 Cavan town received a municipal charter of incorporation from King James I (VI of Scotland). The borough of Cavan was established and as such was entitled to hold a set number of markets and fairs. It could also enjoy regulation of its own affairs and also send two members to the Irish parliament.
The Corporation of the Borough of Cavan ceased to exist legally in 1840. However, shortly before this happened in 1837 the Cavan Borough Commissioners came into being. This was again succeeded in 1855 by the Cavan Town Commissioners which were entrusted with the municipal government of Cavan. Then in 1900 Cavan Urban District Council was established.