An Cabhán · Ulster
From about the 13th century Cavan was East Bréifne, or Breifne O'Reilly, after the family that ruled it — which is why it is still called the Breffni County. Bréifne had been one kingdom under the O'Rourkes until it was split in about 1256, the O'Rourkes keeping the west (now Leitrim) and the O'Reillys the east. Drumlins, lakes and heavy wet clay made it hard country to invade, though Norman mottes and castles such as Clogh Oughter and Castlerahan still stand.
| Province | Ulster |
|---|---|
| County town | Cavan |
| Population | 81,704 (2022) |
| Area (km²) | 1,932 |
| Population change in the Famine, 1841–51 | -28% |
| Daily Irish speakers | 479 (2022) |
| Highest point (m) | 665 — Cuilcagh |
| All-Ireland football titles | 5 |
| Townlands | 1,985 |
| Baronies | 8 |
| Civil parishes | 36 |
| Recorded monuments | 2,475 |
| Ringforts | 1,202 |
| Holy wells | 37 |
| Historic buildings recorded | 770 |
| Castles on the site | 3 |
| Battles and sieges | 2 |
| Workhouses | 4 |
| Railway stations (with an article) | 13 |
| Towns on the site | 7 |
| Surnames on the site | 25 |
Every figure is from a page on myireland.ie that names its source — see https://myireland.ie/counties/cavan/. Printed from myireland.ie, the atlas of Irish history.