The Forest is partially bordered by what is known locally as 'the Famine Wall', which stretches halfway along the road from Cootehill to Rockcorry (the R188).

A description from 1844 states "the banks of the Cootehill (Dromore) River, for several miles above the town, furnish a constant series of very rich close landscapes, chiefly of the class which may be designated languishingly beautiful."

The lakes have a number of crannógs which provided traditional fortification until, possibly, the late 16th century and perhaps helped facilitate trade with settlements up stream.

Designed by James Wyatt in 1770, it is modelled on the Pantheon in Rome and is, according to John R. Redmill, DipArch, FRIAI, RIBA, a leading Irish architectural conservationist, "one of the most important 18th century buildings in Ireland".

The mansion was designed by William Burn, the famous British architect, for The 3rd Baron Cremorne (later created The 1st Earl of Dartrey).

The location was once part of the wider region of Dartrey (Dartraighe, Dartraige Coininnsi, Dairtre, Dartree, Dartry) Kingdom which stretched north to Clones, belonging to the McMahons and O'Boylans.

The larger kingdoms territory decreased as the area took on a more ecclesiastical power structure from Armagh and allied with the Northern and Southern Ui Neill who dominated the political sphere serving as High King of Ireland from the Hill of Tara.

The king of Dartraige, a flame of valour, is entitled to four bondsmen of great labour, four swords hard in battle, four horses, and four golden shields... 20.

In cheist sea for chloind Cholla for sluag luchair Liathdroma can fis a tuarastail tall ó ríg Fuaid na find-fearand.

Atá sund, sloindfed-sa daíb senchos cloindi Cairpri chaím: cluinid, a lucht Fáil na fian, tuaristla áilli Airgiall.

Atá sund senchas na slóg dá tuc grád co bráth Beneón; acht int í bus treórach teist ar cach n-eólach is ard-cheist.