Monaghan

County Monaghan of the province of Ulster in the northern Republic of Ireland consists of lowlands and numerous lake and ponds, measuring some 498 square miles and peppered by drumlins, long oval mounds that occur between lakes. It was a part of the ancient kingdom of Oriel, founded in 330 CE and lasting until the Anglo-Norman invasion of 1171. Monaghan itself remained under the rule of the MacMahon clan, who avoided Anglo-Norman invasion, until the late 16th century, when the English crown took possession. Almost three-quarters of the population live on small farms that produce hay, potatoes, and oats and pasture cattle. Economic activities include dairying, retail marketing, and the manufacture of footwear, textiles, cured bacon, and furniture. The 2003 estimated population was 53,000.