About Us
Welcome to the Ulster Canal Stores Visitor Centre
Open Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 4pm
Our Lace Museum, Restaurant and Craft shop is situated in Clones at the heart of the Drumlin countryside in County Monaghan. Travel time of just over 90 minutes from Dublin, Belfast or Galway.
We are based in a recently refurbished former canal storehouse built in the late 1800’s. This limestone cut building is quaint yet welcoming and retains many of its original features. Perfect for a stop-off while deciding on where next to explore in Ireland’s Ancient East. Why not relax in our our restaurant with a Cream Tea or coffee from our Lucaffé range, before visiting our Clones Lace Museum portraying the social history of the area?
Clones town boasts of a wealth of historic sites dating as far back as the sixth century, and throughout the summer we offer guided heritage tours prior arrangement. With free on site parking, full disabled access and childrens playpark nearby, we look forward to your visit.
Our Mission
To provide the community and visitor with a high quality, memorable experience at all times. Ensuring that with each visit, both members of the local community and tourists all receive a warm welcome and lasting connection with Clones.
History of Clones Development Society
Clones Development Society is a long serving not for profit community development organisation managed by volunteers. It was registered with Irish Provident and Industrial Friendly Societies office in 1995 and has since worked tirelessly for the betterment of Clones and its environs.
The Board of Management consist of members elected by the shareholders at a yearly Annual General Meeting for a three year term.
To its credit Clones Development purchased and refurbished the Canal Stores as a bistro, museum and community amenity to serve its community. Over the years it has provided training programmes for the disability, youth and elderly. It coordinates a meals on wheels service for the elderly and is soon to provide a meals on wheels vehicle to extend the service to a wider geographical area. It continues to promote the restoration of the Ulster Canal from lough Erne to South lough Neagh. Creates employment in different sectors and provided a central hub for start-up business in 1996.
