Cavan Community ENews 11.9.26
Updated: 3 hours ago
With over 40 pieces of news this week (including several new funds and new community training) welcome to your weekly ENews. Our news is compiled weekly from our over 500 member groups (573 as of this week!), partner agencies and funders. The deadline for submitting to cavanppn@gmail.com is noon Wednesdays with the title 'ENEWS ITEM' and we can only take community focused news. Please try to ensure that items fit to one A4 page for ease of reading by recipients. Please note that views/items contained within our ENews may not reflect the values/policies of CavanPPN.
Many Thanks, The CavanPPN Team (Aisling & Daniel). info@cavanppn.ie, CavanPPN, CCLD, Corlurgan, Cavan. H12 X9Y1
CONTENTS (Shaded are new items this week, but all are still relevant/in date)
FUNDING
1-FUNDING: Biodiversity Fund 2-FUNDING: 3 Conservation Grants Open
3-FUNDING: Be Active EU Sports Awards
4-FUNDING: Artists with Disabilities Fund
5-FUNDING: Rural Action Awards 6-FUNDING: Rivers/Waterways Barrier Removal Fund 7-FUNDING: Pilgrim's Euro Legacy Fund TRAINING 8-TRAINING: Free TrustBuild Residency Training Course For Cavan Community Leaders 9-TRAINING: CavanPPN Training to Years End 10-TRAINING: PPN Stakeholder Training 11-TRAINING: Sports Training 12-TRAINING: Response to Self Harm in Young People 13-TRAINING: Heritage Keepers Workshop 14-TRAINING: Inspire Wellbeing Training 15-TRAINING: Disability Support Training
SURVEYS/CONSULTS 16.SURVEYS/CONSULTS: Shape the Future of Irish Inclusive Tourism 17.SURVEYS/CONSULTS: Research Ireland Consult 18.SURVEYS/CONSULTS: National Predator Survey 19.SURVEYS/CONSULTS: Adult Literacy for Life Review EVENTS & OTHER NEWS 20- Eco Feile Festival Comes to Cavan 21- Storytelling in Mullagh 22- Future is Creative 23- Carers & Parents Supports 24- Homegrown Seeks Land Partners To Help GROW 25- Culture Night 26- Mullagh Fair 27- Shrek in Tullyvin 28- Creative Brain Week 2027 29- Environmental Network Newsletter 30- Celebrate Recovery Month 31- Ireland the EU Talk in Cavan Library 32- Neuroclima Event 33- ReLove Fashion for 12-19 Year Olds 34- NDA 2026 Annual Conference 35- Cavan Community Cinema Screening 36- Independent Living & Hearing Supports
37- Irish-Latvian Storytelling
38- Failte Chorus Singing Group
39- English Language Book Club in Cavan
40- Drummany Spirit Events Upcoming
41- Children's Tractor Run in Ballyhaise
42 Sustainability Plan Website Launched
FUNDING 1 Biodiversity Fund
Community Foundation Ireland’s Biodiversity Fund is running again this year in partnership with the National Parks & Wildlife Service.
It will be opening on Monday August 24th and closing on Friday 2nd October. Information on the grant round will be available on the ‘Applying for Funding’ page on our website in the lead-up to the opening date.
The Biodiversity Fund has two strands:
Applicants who want to work with an ecologist to create a Community Biodiversity Action Plan (CBAP) with an ecologist.
Applicants who want to implement actions/recommendations contained in their CBAP.
Those wishing to apply are welcome to contact Cavan County Council Biodiversity Officer, Naomi Mitten, at nmitten@cavancoco.ie for advice or help with applications.
2 Three Conservation Grants Open
Three key built heritage schemes are open: the Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS), deadline Friday 30th October, 2026. Historic Structures Fund (HSF) accepting applications until Friday 27th November 2026. and Historic Thatch Buildings (HTB) for 2027. Deadline Friday 30th October, 2026.
3 Be Active EU Sports Awards
The awards recognise outstanding sport initiatives that help improve health, strengthen communities, promote inclusion and support shared European values. They highlight best practices and inspiring projects that encourage people of all ages and backgrounds to take part in sport and stay active.
Deadline: 17 Sept
4 Artists with Disabilities Fund
5 Rural Action Awards Rural Action is delighted to announce that the Rural Action Awards are now open for applications, offering £1,000/€1,000 to support practical projects that make a positive difference in rural communities.
We would really appreciate your help in spreading the word by sharing the attached poster and information through your networks, mailing lists, social media channels and with any rural community organisations you work with.
The Awards are open to constituted rural community based organisations across NI and the border counties, including community groups, charities, sporting and cultural groups, heritage groups, PTAs, youth groups/clubs and social enterprises.
Projects should be practical, achievable within 12 weeks and could include improving shared spaces, supporting wellbeing, purchasing equipment or bringing people together.
Closing date: Sunday 20th September 2026
To find out more and apply: Rural Action Awards - Rural Action
6 River/Waterway Barrier Fund
National Barriers Mitigation Programme - Inland Fisheries Ireland - 22nd Sept
Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has opened a new round of funding for projects that remove physical barriers from rivers and waterways.
Local authorities or other state agencies involved in the management of Irish water bodies are encouraged to apply for the funding. Local angling groups or barrier owners are also encouraged to nominate their projects via the Expression of Interest process.
Deadline: 22nd September 2026
7 Pilgrim's European Legacy Fund
Pilgrim’s Europe Legacy Fund
Food company Pilgrim’s Europe has launched a new Legacy Fund to support charities and community organisations across the areas where its people live and work.
Charities and community organisations in and around Pilgrim’s sites can now apply for £5,000 to support a project that will make a meaningful and lasting difference locally.
The fund is open to registered charities, community organisations, not-for-profit groups, Community Amateur Sports Clubs, educational and training institutions, cultural and environmental organisations, and social enterprises with a clear community benefit.
It will support a broad range of causes, including community and voluntary projects and educational, cultural, environmental and youth-focused initiatives.
Applications are for £5000 / €6000. Pilgrim’s Europe reserves the right to increase or decrease the sum as it sees fit.
Deadline: none mentioned
TRAINING
8 FREE TrustBuilding Residential & Course For Cavan's Community Leaders
You are invited as a member of Cavan's community groups to help build our communities into safe spaces of courage, trust and belonging for all.
A Courage & Renewal® programme to support your sense of belonging and engagement in community.
BUILDING TRUST in COMMUNITIES is a three-part programme funded by Cavan Co. Council PEACEPLUS programme 2024 - 2027, and available at no cost to participants. Part 1 - Orientation/Introductory Day workshop on Saturday October 31st 2026 at the Civic Centre, Belturbet, Co. Cavan. H14 VH57
Part 2 - Residential Gathering/Retreat from November 13th to 15th 2026, at An Tobar Retreat Centre, Navan, Co Meath. C15 XD6H
Part 3 - Follow-Up Day workshop on Saturday 28th November 2026, at the Civic Centre, Belturbet, Co. Cavan. H14 VH57
Full Details here:
9 Free Community For 2026 Remaining
CavanPPN will be supporting training for its member groups in the following opportunities. We have LIMITED numbers for each module and so this is a first come, first serve basis. The training is FREE for members of CavanPPN registered groups ONLY. Email your interest to info@cavanppn.ie with your name, the name of your group and which training you are interested in. 1 training per member please!
10 PPN Stakeholder Training
PPN Stakeholder Training
The online only self-paced training videos programme for PPN stakeholders has been developed with SJI. Registrations for the online only training is now open. Social Justice Ireland is providing this training on behalf of the Department.
The online only training covers the following:
- An Introduction to the PPNs (2 Modules)
- Local Government Budgets
- PPNs and Local Government
- Effective Participation in Consultations
- Effective Facilitation
- Strategic Planning
- Measuring Outcomes and Impacts
This is online only and is intended for self-directed learning at the learner’s own pace. Social Justice Ireland will provide some support via the webform on each Module page. There are no scheduled classes as part of this training.
This training is available to the following PPN Stakeholders:
- PPN Workers
- PPN Secretariat Members
- PPN Representatives
- PPN Member Groups
- Local Authority Staff
- Elected Councillors
To register, please complete the Registration Form at the following link: : Register for Training | Social Justice Ireland
11 Sports Partnership Training
Upcoming Training & Education Courses |
We have had lots of recent enquiries around our Safeguarding Workshops and upcoming training courses, so we are delighted to be able to share details of these with you. Spaces tend to fill up fast on these so please don’t hesitate to book in! |
12 Responding to Self Harm in Young People
13 Heritage Keepers Workshop
14 Inspire Wellbeing Training
Inspire Wellbeing's community trainer, Andrea Wilson, will be offering a free 2-hour wellbeing workshop to any interested group in the Cavan area on the morning of Wednesday 18 th November. Please see details below and contact me if you would like to avail of this opportunity or discuss future dates.
What is the project?
Right Support Right Time is a new cross-border mental and wellbeing service designed to help people find the support that works for them, at the right time, in the right way.
We know that life can be overwhelming at times. Things like money worries, housing problems, health issues, grief, loneliness, or family stress can all affect our wellbeing.
That’s where Right Support Right Time comes in.
We focus on the everyday issues that can lead to poor mental health and help people take positive steps forward. We know that everyone’s experience is different, and so is the type of support that works best. That’s why Right Support Right Time offers a range of support programmes, so you can find the approach that feels right for you.
Some people benefit most from a listening ear and some space to talk things through. Others may want help to take practical steps, learn new skills, or understand their rights. Whatever the need, we’ll work together to figure out what support will make the most difference.
We are offering FREE mental health & wellbeing workshops
These 2 hour, in-person workshops aim to promote wellbeing, help build resilience and raise awareness of support though the RSRT programme. Here are some options below:
Mental Health Awareness
Food & Mood
Improving Sleep
Understanding Alcohol and Other Drugs
An Introduction to Self-Care
Managing Stress & Anxiety
Mental Health in Older Age
Peer Support
Managing Conflict / Life Changes
Coping with Grief and Loss
Mental Health & Menopause
Who is Right Support Right Time for?
The service is open to anyone aged 16 years and over, living in Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland, as well as families.
We’re especially focused on supporting people who are most likely to experience poor mental health and least likely to access support, including:
People living in areas of deprivation
People with intellectual and/or physical disabilities, that is affecting their mental health
People experiencing homelessness
Newcomer families and people seeking international protection
If you are interested in booking a workshop, please do get in touch.
15 Disability Support Training
My name is Claire Kenny, and I’m the ONSIDE (Evolution Outreach, Navigation, Social Inclusion and Digital Engagement) Community Development Worker for Cavan with Independent Living Movement Ireland (ILMI).
I’m getting in touch to introduce myself and share an exciting new project coming to Cavan over the coming months.
ONSIDE Evolution is about bringing disabled people together, building connections, and creating opportunities for them to get more involved in their local communities.
We will be running a six-week social inclusion and IT course for disabled people, with the first week taking place in the week of the 12th of October.
We will be working with disabled people aged 16 and over across Cavan, offering opportunities to:
• meet and connect with other disabled people
• build digital skills and confidence
• take part in training and peer activities
• become more involved in the local community
• share experiences and highlight what matters to disabled people in Cavan
• build confidence to have a stronger say in decisions that affect their lives
Participants will also receive a tablet and internet connectivity to help them get connected and take part.
A big part of my role is getting to know people, groups, and organisations across Cavan, and making sure disabled people hear about the opportunities available through ONSIDE Evolution.
I am looking to connect with member organisations of the PPN that may be interested in this project, or that may have disabled members who could benefit from it. I would be delighted to chat with one of you to discuss how you are spreading the message among your members. It would be great to have the opportunity to talk to your linkage groups about the project and to find out about any upcoming plenaries or networks that I could attend and provide information about the project.
I would be delighted to have a chat over the phone, Zoom, or Teams, to tell you a bit more about what we’re doing and to hear what is happening in your community.
You can contact me directly on 087 342 8547 or by email at clairekenny@ilmi.ie.
ONSIDE Evolution is a three-year cross-border PEACEPLUS project led by Disability Action Northern Ireland in partnership with Independent Living Movement Ireland, the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, and Supporting Communities. In Cavan, ILMI delivers the project, led by disabled people.
I’m really looking forward to getting out and about, meeting people across Cavan, and seeing what we can build together. Talk soon!
Kind Regards
Claire Kenny
ONSIDE Evolution development worker, Cavan
Independent Living Movement Ireland
Carmichael House,
North Brunswick Street,
Dublin 7.
D07 RHA8
SURVEYS/CONSULTATIONS
16 Shape the Future of Irish Inclusive Tourism
Help shape the future of accessible and inclusive tourism in Ireland.
Fáilte Ireland's Your Voice, Your Journey Visitor Consultation aims to understand visitors' experiences and expectations of accessible and inclusive tourism when travelling in Ireland.
People across Ireland are invited to share their experiences of accessible and inclusive tourism and help inform the future development of tourism across the country.
The consultation will gather insights across areas including trip planning, transport, accommodation, attractions and visitor experiences. It will help identify barriers, opportunities and priorities for the future development of tourism, providing an important evidence base to support future planning.
The Your Voice, Your Journey Visitor Consultation has been co-designed with national advocacy organisations representing disability, sensory impairment, age friendly and access and inclusion interests.
The survey is open from 4th of September and will remain open for eight weeks until 29th of October.
Further information and guidance on how to participate is available on the Your Voice, Your Journey webpage Fáilte Ireland Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Survey
Please help spread the word by sharing the survey with colleagues, members, friends and family and encouraging as many people as possible to take part. Attached is a suggested social media post and you can find more social media assets for download. You can also repost Fáilte Ireland's LinkedIn survey launch post. Please consider posting on your website, newsletter or social media channels to help raise awareness of the consultation.
Thank you for your participation and support in sharing the survey.
Erin Bottomley
Officer, Inclusive Tourism
Beech Road, Killarney, Co. Kerry
17 Research Ireland Consult
Research Ireland is inviting people across Ireland to take part in the Research in Ireland Barometer 2026. This national project is exploring how people experience research in everyday life - what it means to them, where they encounter it, and whether it makes a difference to the things they care about. The survey takes approximately 10-12 minutes to complete and is open to anyone aged 16 or over living in Ireland. We are particularly interested in hearing from people whose voices are not always included in research and public discussions.Take part in the survey: Survey link
Be in with a chance to win 1 of 5 €100 One4All vouchers!
If you would like to learn more please contact barometer@researchireland.ie.
Thank you for helping ensure a wide range of voices are heard.
18 National Predator Survey
The survey takes approximately five minutes to complete and is completely anonymous. It explores people's encounters with, and perceptions of, some predators across the island of Ireland.
As the research aims to engage a broad range of people from a range of backgrounds across the island of Ireland, I am contacting biodiversity officers across the Republic of Ireland to ask for your support in sharing the survey through your local networks. Your connections with local communities provide an amazing opportunity to reach people who we may not otherwise be able to engage directly, and I would really appreciate your help in extending the reach of the research within your region.
If possible, I'd like to ask if it's possible to do any of the following:
Sharing it through staff communications
Sharing to community organisations
Including the survey in email lists and/or newsletters
Sharing it via social media channels
Passing it on to wider networks that may be interested
Informally sharing it with friends and family
Completing the survey yourself
I would also be very interested to hear about any upcoming community events where myself or volunteers may be able to attend or engage directly with participants to help increase awareness and participation.
You can access the survey here UUPredatorSurvey.com, with further information available in the banner below and the attached poster.
Thank you very much for your time and support. Every response helps improve the reach and quality of the research.
If you require any additional information, please do not hesitate to contact me. I would be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Thank you for your time,
19 National Adult Literacy For Life Review
The Government is doing a mid-term review of the ten-year Adult Literacy for Life Strategy 2021-2031.
This is a chance for community and voluntary groups to share your views on how the strategy is being implemented.
Government consultation
We are now halfway through the 10 year Adult Literacy for Life Strategy. SOLAS, Ireland’s Further Education and Training authority, has hired independent consultants Three Sixty Insights to review the strategy.
Survey
Three Sixty Insights are running a survey. The survey closes on 18 September.
You do not have to answer all the questions. You can give your general view on how the strategy is going in question 6.
Service users and Learners
If you have service users or learners who could participate in this survey please share this opportunity with them. You can also support them to complete the survey.
Focus groups
Sign up for one of the focus group taking place throughout September. You do not have to do the survey to take part in a focus group.
Contact info@threesixtyinsights.ie if you have any questions
EVENTS & OTHER NEWS
20 Eco Féile Festival Comes To Cavan
Cavan’s flagship sustainability and innovation festival, Cavan Eco Féile, will take place from 23rd – 25th October with free live concerts from acts like The Tumbling Paddies, The Highstool Prophets, Groev, and Spirit of Smokie, a climate expo featuring 13 floors of exhibits, local food and drink offerings, sustainability talks and workshops with leading business figures, and much more.
See: https://ecofeile.ie for further details!
21 Storytelling Event in Mullagh
22 The Future is Creative Call For Presentations/Workshops I am getting in touch about our callout for the Arts in Education National Day taking place at TU Dublin on Saturday 7 November.
Call for Presentations and Workshops
Deadline: Wednesday 16 September 2026
This year's theme: The Future is Creative: Why arts and creativity in education matter more than ever.
⠀
As we navigate a world shaped by rapid technological change, climate challenges, evolving communities, and new ways of learning and connecting, human creativity has never been more important.
We invite artists, creative practitioners, teachers, educators, academics and arts in education professionals to share presentations or workshops. We are particularly interested in projects and practices that explore:
- Arts in education in the age of AI and emerging technologies
- Arts based approaches to connect with nature, climate action and sustainability
We would really appreciate it if you could share this with your networks.
23 Mind Me, Mind You Event for Parents & Carers
24 Homegrown Seeks Land For Growing
Hello Cavan Public Participation Network ,
I’m contacting you from Homegrown.ie, an independent early-stage Irishproject exploring how adults who want to grow food might be matched with organisations and landholders that have suitable, safe andgenuinely underused outdoor space. Could your PPN circulate a short invitation to relevant community,voluntary and environmental member groups in Cavan, or point us togroups that manage community centres, parish grounds, socialenterprises, gardens or other suitable outdoor spaces?
We are looking for:
• potential hosts open to a small, reversible pilot;
• trusted local groups willing to help shape safeguards; and
• introductions to landholders who have clear authority over a suitable site.
Any pilot would require landholder approval, local support, safe access, insurance, planning and environmental checks, and a written time-limited agreement. Operational, residential, protected, habitat-sensitive and strategically reserved land would be excluded. Exact locations could remain private during assessment, participation is optional.
Kind regards, Homegrown.ie hello@homegrown.iehttps://homegrown.ie
25 Culture Night 2026
Culture Night 2026 returns on Friday, 18 September, inviting people across Ireland to come together for a night of free cultural discovery, creativity and connection in towns, cities, villages and rural communities nationwide.
This year's programme continues to celebrate the artists, venues, organisers and communities who bring Culture Night to life locally.
At the heart of it all is a simple idea: One Night for All. A shared night of culture that's welcoming, local and free. Whether you're planning a full evening out, joining something nearby on the night, bringing family and friends along, or seeing a familiar place in a whole new way, there's a place for everyone.
Link to events: Events • Culture Night
26 Mullagh Fair Day
27 Shrek in Tullyvin
28 Creative Brain Week 2027 Dates
CREATIVE BRAIN WEEK DUBLIN DATES
March 1st to 5th 2027
The week will be based in Trinity College Dublin,and across partners venues in Dublin during the week. More information will be available via emails from early 2027,so aside from putting the dates in your diary now, there is nothing for you to do. As you have received this email,you will be sent a priority booking email in late Januarybefore general booking is open to the public.If you want to recommend Creative Brain Week please ask people to register here for priority booking.
29 Environmental Network Newsletter
Below is our September newsletter. As always this newsletter is free to share with your PPN groups in full or in part. If you want to share the full newsletter here is the link: https://conta.cc/4gBVYdF
This month there is lots that I think would be of interest to wider community groups. The new All Ireland Pollinator Plan has been launched which is a wonderful tool for any group. Likewise a new website has been created by two groups in Wicklow that allows communities or businesses to create a Sustainability Plan for free, very worth checking out. There are two wonderful competitions for young people open for registration as well.
Of particular interest to counties on the border there is an invitation to a cross-border project launch between IEN and Northern Ireland Environment Link taking place in Louth.
Lots more below including more events and info on the call for comment on the Risk Assessment for Cherry Laurel.
I am always available to share your news or announcements through this monthly newsletter, including if you would like to put a call out for new members (maybe you have an induction event coming up or something similar that can be shared publicly). If you'd like to receive a reminder for a call for content (sent each month a few days before the newsletter goes out) you can join the mailing list here to receive the call for content. Otherwise, you can email me at any time with items to include in next months newsletter sent on the 1st of each month.
Is mise, le meas,
Catherine.
(Irish Environmental Network/Environmental Pillar)
30 Celebrating Recovery Month
31 Ireland and the EU - Celebrating Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
Join broadcaster and author, David McCullagh for a timely talk on Ireland's relations with the EU, the UK and how 50 years of EU membership has changed us.
Johnston Central Library
Saturday, 12th September
3pm
All welcome.
Book your place by phoning the library at 049 4378500 or emailing library@cavancoco.ie
This event has been supported by Europe Direct Clones, our local contact point for information on your rights and entitlements as an EU Citizen.
32 Neuroclima Event
NEUROCLIMA: Have Your Say on the Future of Climate Policy
Wednesday, 30 September 2026 | 10:30am - 12:00pm
Join us on Zoom! https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/neuroclima-have-your-say-on-the-future-of-climate-policy-tickets-1998966623983
Represent County Cavan. Shape the Future.
Are you involved in local climate, environment or agricultural policy in County Cavan?
Join us for an exclusive introduction to NEUROCLIMA, a Horizon Europe-funded project exploring how AI and digital tools can support better-informed decision-making, community climate action and policy development.
This is an opportunity for County Cavan policymakers and elected representatives to have their say, share local perspectives and help shape the development of tools designed to support climate and environmental decision-making.
Be Among the First to Trial the Tools
Participants will be among the first to explore and test the NEUROCLIMA tools, including:
NEUROCLIMA Bot – An AI-powered tool providing accessible and reliable climate adaptation information.
NEUROCLIMA Lens – A research tool, similar to Google Scholar, bringing together trusted scientific and policy sources.
Deliberation Tool – Supporting meaningful dialogue between policymakers, communities, experts and other stakeholders.
Have Your Say
The session will provide an opportunity to:
Represent County Cavan and share local priorities and perspectives.
Test emerging AI and digital tools and provide direct feedback.
Explore how technology could support local climate action and evidence-based policymaking.
Discuss the future of the agri-food sector and the challenges and opportunities facing rural communities.
Engage in deliberation with EU policymakers and contribute to discussions that can inform future policy.
Register now via evenbrite: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/neuroclima-have-your-say-on-the-future-of-climate-policy-tickets-1998966623983
33 ReLove Fashion Cometition For 12-19 Year Olds Open
The competition, which has just launched for its third nationwide year, invites young people aged 12-19 to create a wearable fashion piece by upcycling unwanted clothes and textiles, promoting creativity, repair, reuse, and sustainable fashion. With finished outfits due at the end of January, it serves as the perfect term project for schools and youth groups.
Those who register their interest before 30th September will be entered into a draw to win a sewing machine, and all participants can receive a free bag of unwanted textiles from participating charity shops to upcycle, if they so wish.
Teachers, youth group leaders and teenagers are invited to find out more and register on www.relovefashion.ie.
34 NDA 2026 Annual Conference
Invitation:
NDA 2026 Annual Conference: Disability inclusive responses to natural and man-made emergencies – Article 11 UNCRPD
Date: Thursday, 15 October 2026
Time: 9:30am – 4.15pm
Location: Aviva Stadium, Lansdowne Road, and Online
Cost: Free of charge
The National Disability Authority would like to invite you to its 2026 Annual Conference. This year’s event will examine disability inclusive responses to natural and man-made emergencies in line with Article 11 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD). Article 11 UNCRPD focuses on situations of risk and humanitarian emergencies. It requires measures to be taken to ensure the safety and protection of disabled during situations of risk and humanitarian emergencies. Situations of risk and humanitarian emergencies worldwide can include natural disasters, climate change events, war, pandemics and other crises.
Topics which will be explored as part of the conference include:
barriers faced by disabled people in situations of risk and natural and man-made emergencies, and proposed solutions and good practices to address such challenges
the impact of natural disasters and extreme weather events on people with disabilities and measures to address such challenges
disability inclusive disaster risk reduction and emergency responses
lessons learned from other jurisdictions and previous crises in ensuring respect for Article 11 UNCRPD.
Speakers and panellists at the conference will include disabled people and their representative organisations, public officials and academics.
A conference programme and ‘meet the speakers’ document are available on the NDA website.
The conference will be of interest to:
Policy makers
Public sector officials
Local authority officials
Disabled Persons Organisations and other disability organisations
Disabled people and their families
Professionals and volunteers involved in humanitarian responses.
The Conference will be a hybrid event, in-person at the Havelock Suite, Aviva Stadium, Lansdowne Road or online via Zoom. This event will be free of charge. Registration is now open.
Irish Sign Language interpretation and real-time captioning will be provided (online and in-person). A Changing Places toilet and quiet room will also be available.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us by email at nda.annualconference@nda.ie or by phone (01 608 0400).
We look forward to welcoming you both online and in-person to our 2026 Annual Conference.
GDPR Notice: You have received this email in good faith, as through our work and professional networks we believe this may be of interest to you. If you would prefer not to receive communication like this from us, please reply by email to nda.annualconference@nda.ie.
35 Cavan Community Cinema Screening Hi there,
I hope this finds you well. I'm writing on behalf of Cavan Arts Festival to let you know about an upcoming free community cinema screening, and to ask for your help spreading the word.
Born That Way - Saturday 26th September, 7pm, Townhall Arts Centre, Cavan
Born That Way is a tender and thought-provoking documentary about care, love, community, and the extraordinary life of Patrick Lydon, who co-founded the radically inclusive Camphill Movement in Ireland with his wife Gladys. The film follows Patrick through his final year as he reflects on a life that took him from rock journalism in America to trailblazing community living in Ireland with people of diverse needs, abilities and backgrounds.
The screening will be followed by a conversation and Q&A with filmmaker Éamon Little, Patrick's wife Gladys, and John Clark (co-founder of Camphill Ballytobin and composer of the film's music).
The film has already picked up significant recognition, including the Dublin Film Critics' Circle Best Irish Documentary Award and the Gamble-Paison Prize for Best International Feature Film at the Middlebury New Filmmakers Festival in Vermont, USA.
Admission is free, but registration is required.
Full details and registration: https://cavanartsfestival.ie/cavan-community-cinema-born-that-way/
Given the film's themes of community, inclusion, disability and care, we thought this would resonate strongly with your members, staff and networks, and we'd be so grateful if you could help us reach a wider audience. Specifically, we'd love it if you could:
Share this event with your networks: colleagues, members, mailing lists, or community groups who might be interested
Post about it on your social media channels: we're happy to send images or video clips if that's helpful. Repost promo video:(Instagram) https://www.instagram.com/p/Dcyry1Cjg--/ or (Facebook) https://www.facebook.com/share/v/18LtxJpTZb/
Come along yourselves: we'd love to see you there, and it promises to be a moving and inspiring evening
Cavan Community Cinema is an initiative of Cavan Arts Festival, supported by Cavan County Council and PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).
Please don't hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions, or if you'd like promotional materials (poster, trailer link, images) to help share the event.
36 Independent Hearing & Living Supports
Fintan Gallagher here . I work with Independent Living and Hearing. I am currently reaching out to community groups, clubs, and organisations throughout the region to offer free hearing health awareness sessions and information talks for members.
As part of these visits, we can provide:
• A short talk on hearing health, hearing loss, and the impact it can have on daily life.
• Advice on maintaining hearing health and recognising the early signs of hearing difficulties.
• Ear health checks, including guidance on ear wax management and whether professional wax removal may be beneficial.
• Information on hearing aids and the latest hearing technology available.
• Assistance in checking eligibility for grants and financial supports that may be available toward hearing aids and related services.
• The opportunity for members to ask questions in a relaxed and informal setting.
Our aim is to support people in maintaining their independence, communication, and overall quality of life through better hearing health.
We would be delighted to arrange a visit to your group at a time and date that suits you. The session can be tailored to your members and delivered as a standalone talk or combined with individual hearing and ear health checks.
If this is something that may interest you, I would welcome the opportunity to discuss it further and arrange a suitable date. I am doing a talk in Kilcummin on the 7th of October if this day suits.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you.
Kind regards,
Fintan Gallagher
Community Development & Partnerships Manager
Independent Living and Hearing
0877769003
37 Irish-Latvian Storytelling Event
38 Failte Chorus
Singing is good for the soul!
All welcome! 0852703080
39 English Language Book Club
Welcome to our English Language Book Club starting in 2 weeks in Cavan town.
10am , Tuesday
Bridge Street (upstairs Palanysta)
40 Culture Night At Drummany Spirit
41 Children's Tractor Run
Start your tractor and get in gear!
Ballyhaise Development Association are delighted to invite all the little tractor drivers to our Children’s Tractor Run!
Sunday 20th September
42 Sustainability Plan Website Launched
Two community organisations in Blessington are working together to launch a new website encouraging communities throughout Ireland to create their own bespoke sustainability plans for free.
Building on their previous successful partnerships and extensive experience with joint sustainability projects, the Blessington Tourist Office and Blessington Allotments Campaign formally launched SustainabilityPlan.ie in August 2026.
SustainabilityPlan.ie enables any small business, community group, sports club or school to benchmark their current sustainability performance, set measurable targets over the next five years, and plan how they will make further progress. Completing a sustainability plan provides a clear roadmap to reduce waste, cut emissions, improve biodiversity, and could be beneficial for future funding applications.
In recent years, the Blessington Tourist Office and Blessington Allotments Campaign have completed numerous projects both together and individually, related to waste and emissions reduction, and supporting and promoting biodiversity in the local area. In 2026 the two groups worked together to organise free electrical recycling events in Blessington that collected almost 10 tonnes of e-waste in total. These projects and the positive response and support from the local community inspired and informed the development of SustainabilityPlan.ie and a want to encourage and make it easier for other groups to take similar sustainability actions.
Dónal McCormack, Chairperson of Blessington Allotments Campaign, explains:
“One of the most important aspects of the UN Sustainable Development Goals is partnership, and this has been incorporated into SustainabilityPlan.ie to ensure that organisations developing their own plan work with like-minded groups, businesses and schools to benefit their entire community.
Having a sustainability plan can be beneficial in a number of ways for these organisations. Aside from the obvious sustainability benefits, having a bespoke sustainability plan for your group with achievable goals will help you stand out for all the right reasons when it comes to grant applications.
Ahead of any funding application, organisations with a sustainability plan can demonstrate how the measurable improvements from a project link with their overall sustainability goals, be it a biodiversity initiative, waste reduction project, or another local action. For the first time, organisations can quickly create their own free sustainability plan, benchmark where they currently stand, improve accountability and set measurable goals.
By using SustainabilityPlan.ie, community groups, schools, sports clubs and small businesses can quickly draft a free sustainability plan, which can be brought through their own internal approval process for adoption.”
Blessington Tourist Office Manager Martin Cahill agrees:
“In recent years, the Blessington Tourist Office created our plan for responsible and sustainable tourism, including leaving no trace, preserving local nature and culture, and making a positive impact with local residents. This helped shape sections on SustainabilityPlan.ie and encourages other community groups, sports clubs and schools to be responsible and sustainable in our villages, towns and communities.
Recent projects managed by the Blessington Tourist Office include distributing free battery recycling boxes for the local community, supporting free electrical recycling events, and hosting Halloween costumes and Christmas Jumper swap-shops. Together with the Blessington Allotments Campaign, we were recognised for our sustainability efforts as finalists in the 2025 REPAK Resource Awards.
Our commitment to sustainable tourism and communities is at the heart of everything we do. Stronger community engagement with sustainability projects leads to educational, environmental and social benefits, better funding opportunities, and financial savings. It only takes a few minutes to create a first draft, so we encourage all communities to check out SustainabilityPlan.ie.”
-Ends-
Contact details:
Blessington Allotments Campaign
Chairperson: Dónal McCormack (0862371290)
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