Cavan, the most southerly of the Ulster counties, is largely undulating land, with low round hills and myriad lakes. It was created by Elizabeth I of England, and is one of three counties situated in the province of Ulster that are not part of Northern Ireland. The River Erne, rising in Lough Gowna and flowing northwards through the centre of the county, spreads itself in a maze of small sheets of water separated by promontories and islands of every shape and size.

It is mostly rural and agricultural with only 16.8% of the population living in the three towns of 1,500 or over. Cavan is characterised by drumlin countryside dotted with many lakes and small hills. The North West area of the County is sparsely populated and mountainous. The county has several areas of highly scenic landscape.