BEST IN TOURISM: A base to explore west Cavan
Trivia House is a not for profit community enterprise, which is run by Swanlinbar Development Association.
The seven-room accommodation was opened in 2021 and provides an affordable, comfortable and clean space for families, groups or friends who are looking to explore West Cavan and South Fermanagh. Each room has an ensuite and has on average four beds per room.
The enterprise was home to refugees from Ukraine for two years but opened to tourists from June 1 this year.
Profits raised at Trivia House go back into the accommodation itself or into the community. The committee employs 11 members of staff who are all local to the area.
Manager of the facility, Tony McGovern, reported that the tourism season in Trivia House was “extremely busy” this year, with guests arriving from all over Europe, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, Columbia and Bolivia and the UK.
The house is located just along the border and tourists “use it as a base” to discover gems in the area such as the Stairway to Heaven, the Marble Arch Caves, Cavan Burren, Enniskillen Castle and Florence Court House and more.
“We’re not costing an arm and a leg so a family can get away for €100 for two adults and two kids.
“When times are hard, we’re trying to just give people a good opportunity to get away.”
Trivia House is also home to the Cuilcagh Cafe, which is open Friday through to Sunday. Tourists can avail of the state-of-the-art cooking facilities available on site, with two “brand new” kitchens and a dining area.
“We had five French families cooking away there, it was like being in the South of France with all the beautiful French cooking going on.
“You could get the smells coming out through the building, it was just heavenly.”
The facility also has a barbecue area, a “lovely” garden and a playground.
The accommodation started as a derelict and unused building and developed through funding from Cavan Leader, International Fund for Ireland, and Cavan County Council.
“It’s all thanks to the funding that we got this thing done.”
Formerly the chairperson of the development association in the area, Tony is keen to bring tourism to the area, especially with “a lot of dereliction” and “a lot of businesses closed down".
“We’re just trying to revitalise the village and hopefully this will be a start for other businesses to open up in the town,” he said, with some opened already.
“It’s all onwards and upwards and positive vibes for the village.
“It’s the brightness of the building, it’s spotlessly clean and very reasonable accommodation price wise, I think people are impressed by the price and the facilities.”
“The reviews on different sites are all ten out of ten,” he beamed.
“We’re very happy to be getting those kinds of scores.”
CONTACT US
Trivia House Hostel is located on Church Road, Swanlinbar
Phone: 087-0903253