South Ulster, the Counties of Armagh, Cavan, and Monaghan

The newest volume in the "Buildings of Ireland" series covers the inland counties of Cavan, Monaghan, and Armagh, an area stretching from the thinly populated uplands around the Cuilcagh Mountains and the cradle of the Shannon to the fertile Blackwater valley and southern shores of Lough Neagh. Carrickmacross and Bailieborough typify the Irish market town with their generous main streets and lively architectural contrasts. The unpretentious Gothic halls at Carsan and Derryvalley contrast with the rogueish Gothic-Revival displays at Bessbrook and Butlersbridge. Country houses range from Lough Fea, Thomas Rickman's only Irish house, to Hilton Park, an ambitious Italianate mansion. Saint Peter's church, Laragh, a roadside Gothic fairytale in tin, is a memorable landmark, as is the august Rokeby obelisk at Armagh. Throughout South Ulster, the use of local building materials – ranging from dark gritstones to warm sandstones – adds to the rich architectural variety while establishing a sense of place.