Clones is a market town half a mile from the border with Northern Ireland. The town rests on a hilltop and gives good views of the area. Indeed the Church of Ireland on its summit dominates the surrounding areas which are mainly flat. Once an important railway junction, Clones boasts some fine Victorian public buildings and houses.

In the centre of the town's diamond is a beautiful high cross with images of Adam and Eve, Abraham offering Isaac as a sacrifice, Daniel in the lion's den, the miracle of the loaves and fishes and the miracle at the wedding in Cana. In the 6th century St Tiernach founded a monastery in the area, which later became an Augustinian abbey. Some remains of the abbey remain in Abbey Street including a round tower.