Virginia —County Cavan

The town of Virginia was founded in 1612. It was named in honour of Elizabeth I, Queen of England. It was a stop on the coach road between Cavan and Dublin, but it was only in the 19th century that it enjoyed great success. It is pleasantly sited on the shores of Lough Ramor. The local landlords, the Marquesses of Headfort, only resided here during the summer, and their summer house is now the site of the Park Hotel.
The old Catholic church in the town was built c. 1845. It was replaced in the late 1980s by a new structure. The old church has been transformed into a community theatre and concert venue.
Four miles north of the town is Killinkere, the reputed birthplace of American Civil War general Philip Sheridan.