Cavan Community ENews 13.3.26
- 2 hours ago
- 22 min read
Welcome to your weekly ENews. Our news is compiled weekly from our over 500 member groups (557 as of this week!), partner agencies and funders. The deadline for submitting to cavanppn@gmail.com is noon Wednesdays and we can only take community focused news. Please note that views/items contained within our ENews may not reflect the values/policies of CavanPPN.
Many Thanks, The CavanPPN Team (Aisling, Finian & 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: Local Improvement Scheme Opened
2. FUNDING: The Heart of the Community Fund
3. FUNDING: Native Tree Scheme
4. FUNDING: Communicating Europe Initiative 5. FUNDING: Children's Promise Grant
6. FUNDING: Peace & Changemaker Fund 7. FUNDING: Community Heritage Grant Scheme
8. FUNDING: EU Fund For Education & Training
9. FUNDING: CLAR Funding Extensions
10. FUNDING: Funding for Local Agricultural Shows
TRAINING
11. TRAINING: RiSE Social Enterprise Funding
12. TRAINING: New Community Training Courses for PPN Groups
13. TRAINING: Irish Scholarship & Workshops
14. TRAINING: Dementia Training For Cavan
15. TRAINING: Ripple Effect Environmental Training
SURVEYS/CONSULTS 16.SURVEYS/CONSULTS:RACE Consultation
17.SURVEYS/CONSULTS: National Drugs Strategy 18. SURVEYS/CONSULTS: The Cost of Disability in Ireland 19.SURVEYS/CONSULTS: Diversifying Sports Volunteering 20.SURVEYS/CONSULTS: Geopark, Your Community, Your Say 21.SURVEYS/CONSULTS: Calling All West Cavan Communities
EVENTS & OTHER NEWS
22. National Voter Register Day 23. Seachtaine na Gaeilge na Cabhan 24. Ballyjamesduff St. Patrick's Day Parade 25. International Volunteer Year 2026 26. Ancient Earth Experience in Killykeen This March 27. Ballinagh Saint Patrick's Day Parade 28. Irish Bat Conference 29- Call for Creative Presenters for A Project 30- Gaelscoil Clothing Collection
31- Future of Planning in Ireland and What It Means To You
32 Community Conversation
33 Older Person's Drop in Info Sessions
FUNDING
Local Improvement Scheme Opens Nationwide
LIS providing funding to upgrade rural roads and laneways
€2 million increase secured in Budget 2026
Essential funding to improve road access to homes and farms in rural areas
Ringfenced funding to upgrade eligible roads on our offshore islands
The Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, has today (Wednesday, 25 February) announced the opening of the 2026 Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) which will provide €17.55 million for repairs and improvement works on non-public rural roads and laneways under the scheme.
This investment demonstrates the continued commitment of the Government to vital road infrastructure in rural Ireland, providing access to people’s homes and farms.
This announcement brings to a total of over €201 million that has been allocated to local authorities under the Scheme since it was re-introduced in 2017. The allocation of funds is for works to be carried out in 2026 on roads not normally maintained by the local authorities.
Eligible Roads
Eligible roads under the Local Improvement Scheme are:
non-public roads that provide access to parcels of land of which 2 or more are owned or occupied by different persons, one of which must be for agricultural purposes;
provide access for agricultural / harvesting purposes (including turf or seaweed) for two or more persons.; or
non-public roads leading to important community amenities such as graveyards, beaches, piers, mountains, etc.
Non Eligible Roads
Non-eligible roads include:
roads leading to commercial enterprises. Further information can be found in the Scheme outline, published on gov.ie
Local contribution
The financial contribution provided by the household/landowner is set at:
10% of the estimated cost for eligible roads with up to and including five households/landowners, and
15% for those roads with six or more households/landowners.
The maximum amount that any household/landowner is required to contribute is capped at €1,200 where all beneficiaries contribute.
2. Heart of the Community Fund
Applications Open for Heart of the Community Fund
This year, The Ireland Funds will award $1 million in grants through two targeted rounds of the Heart of the Community Fund.
For the first open call grant round of the Heart of the Community Fund 2026, The Ireland Funds will prioritise applications from organisations working in two areas:
Education: This priority focuses on organisations providing access to learning, both formal and informal, across all age levels.
Innovation: This priority supports organisations taking innovative approaches to address a problem, either by creating something new or enhancing an existing solution.
Read the full details Deadline: Friday, 20 March 2026
3. Native Tree Scheme
Have you heard about the Native Tree Area Scheme? It's a simple way to plant native trees and earn annual payments.
The NTAS makes it easy for farmers and landowners to establish small native woodlands on suitable land. Suitable projects can be approved quickly and planted during the current planting season.
Annual premiums of €2,206 – €2,284 per hectare for 10 years
Plant up to 1 hectare, or up to 2 hectares along watercourses
Straightforward approval process (no licence required)
Improve biodiversity, protect water quality and enhance farm sustainability
Contact your local Registered Forester or Teagasc Forestry Adviser to get started.
4. Communicating Europe Initiative
Applications Open for the Communicating Europe Initiative 2026
The Communicating Europe Initiative seeks to improve the quality and accessibility of public information on European issues, at local, regional or national level. The focus of projects this year is on Ireland's 2026 Presidency of the Council of the European Union as well as the related County Pairings programme.
Increased funding has been allocated to the initiative for 2026, with a total of €775,000 available for eligible projects.
The deadline for receipt of applications is 24 March.
5. Childrens Promise Grant
The Grants Programme is a funding programme within Katharine Howard Foundation (KHF). KHF focuses on prevention and early intervention initiatives, to support the best life outcomes for young children.
Application for the 2026 Grants Programme opens online today, Wednesday 18 February and close on 19 March at 1pm.
6. Peace Plus Changemaker Funding
Applications are open for grants of between €10,000 and €100,000 through the PEACEPLUS Change Maker Funding Programme. See details at: PEACEPLUS Change Maker Funding
7. Community Heritage Grant Scheme
Our Community Heritage Grant Scheme is now open for applications. The scheme supports community/voluntary groups nationwide with heritage projects - built, natural, and cultural.
The maximum amount available per organisation is €25,000. The closing date for applications is 20th March 2026 at 8pm.
For further info click here.
8- EU Funding For Education & Training
With the new year comes a variety of exciting new education-based funding opportunities! Erasmus+, the EU’s funding programme for education, training, youth and sport, has published calls for proposals for collaborative projects focused on promoting and supporting lifelong learning, digital education, and micro-credentials.
Any nonprofit organisation actively working in the fields of education and training can apply for funding to deliver projects that address the Erasmus+ programme’s objectives and priorities.
The open calls for proposals include:
Adult Education: Motivation in Motion: Empowering Adults to Upskill and Reskill - Deadline: 8/4/2026. This call aims to support innovative approaches to stimulate adults to engage in learning activities in their usual and trusted environments. Call details and application link here.
Digital Education: AI-powered Personalised Learning Pathways for Basic Skills – Deadline: 8/4/2026. This call aims to foster the application of ethical and transparent AI-based personal learning pathways at school education and initial VET level. Call details and application link here.
Digital Education Content: Success factors in decision making and use by teachers, trainers and school/institution leaders – Deadline: 8/4/2026. This call aims to promote and establish collaboration and agreement between teachers/educators, creators/providers of digital education content. Call details and application link here.
Micro-credentials: Focus on eco-systems – Deadline: 8/4/2026. This call aims to support developing micro-credentials’ eco-systems in STEM. Call details and application link here.
Vocational Education and Training: Developing basic skills in Vocational Education and Training - Deadline: 8/4/2026. This call aims to fund projects to test and pilot promising and innovative practices to improve basic skills in VET. Call details and application link here.
The Access Europe team is here to provide you with support and advice around these and other EU funding project applications. Contact us today at europe@wheel.ie to begin your EU funding journey and sign up to our Access Europe Newsletter to stay informed on upcoming Erasmus+ calls and other EU funding opportunities.
9- Expansion of CLAR
Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, has today (Tuesday, 10 March 2026) announced an expansion of the CLÁR programme. This follows a commitment given in the Programme for Government to carry out a comprehensive review of the eligibility criteria of CLÁR with a view to expanding the programme to rural areas which were previously ineligible.
That review was completed by the All-Island Research Observatory in Maynooth University. The Pobal HP Deprivation Index and the CSO Urban and Rural Life in Ireland classification were used to identify areas classified as highly rural and remote while also experiencing socio-economic disadvantage.
The review has resulted in the addition of new Electoral Divisions (EDs) in 20 counties, including 10 or more new EDs in Donegal, Limerick, Tipperary and, for the first time, Wexford. One Electoral Division (ED) was also added in Kildare for the first time.
Announcing the details of the expansion today, Minister Calleary said:
“I am pleased to announce the 110 new Electoral Divisions with a population of nearly 150,000 people that are now designated as CLÁR areas. For the first time in its history, there will be over 1 million people living in parts of Ireland that are eligible to apply for this important funding”.
A copy of the report completed on the expansion of CLÁR areas together with updated county maps is available here.
The Minister also announced that the 2026 CLÁR programme, with an increased budget of €12 million, is now open for applications.
Minister of State Buttimer added:
“The CLÁR programme has proven its value to rural communities all across the country over the years, and I know that community groups will continue to make great use of this funding again this year. The range of projects that can be funded under CLÁR continues to be one of its strengths, and today’s announcement will be welcome news in many rural communities.”
Under the initiative, funding will be provided across three measures:
Measure 1
Development of community facilities and amenities including sports facilities, youth clubs, teenage spaces, playgrounds, sensory gardens, walking tracks and much more. There are new items eligible for support this year under Measure 1, including support for traffic safety measures with a particular link to community facilities or events, and for initiatives aimed at reducing light pollution in rural communities.
Measure 2
Support for vehicles for community transport used to transport cancer patients or persons with reduced mobility, for community first responders and for meals on wheels organisations.
Measure 3
Tailored funding for our offshore island communities under the specific ‘Our Living Islands’ measure.
“Community groups should contact their local authority in respect of applications for community facilities under measure 1.
“Organisations can apply directly to my Department for projects under Measure 2 & 3. My officials will be providing capacity building seminars for community organisations interested in applying for Measure 2 and separately for Measure 3 on Wednesday March 25th. Interested organisations can register their interest at clar@drcdg.gov.ie.”
Full details of the scheme and measures to be funded are available on the Department’s website.
10- Funding For Local Agricultural Shows
Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, has today announced an investment of over €1 million to support 126 Agricultural Shows right across the country.
As part of the initiative, each show will receive a grant of between €4,200 and €11,400 depending on their size. This funding will support the work of each of the 126 show committees as they prepare for the upcoming show season.
Minister Calleary made the announcement today as the Irish Show’s Association (ISA) are launching their 2026 Yearbook at an annual event in Athlone.
The funding provided to each show is available in a table HERE
TRAINING
11- RiSE Social Enterprise Training
Good afternoon,
I work as Irish Rural Link Project Officer with the new Peace Plus RiSE Social Enterprise project which recently launched. Irish Rural Link are joined in the project by Rural Action operating in Northern Ireland, Social Enterprise Northern Ireland and the Scotland Social Enterprise Academy.
RiSE will provide training, networking and practical support to help organisations enhance sustainability, expand income generation and increase access to vital community services. The project will be of significant value to both existing social enterprises and community organisations with a social enterprise ambition operating in the border counties. We're keen to ensure that all existing rural social enterprises and community organisations with a social enterprise ambition in the border counties are fully aware of the project.
Phase One - (The Training Element) closes for Expressions of Interest on March 27th. This cross-border training will be delivered online and in person by the Social Enterprise Academy and will include a paid residential training event in Scotland. The programme will run for 10 months and will include about 8 days in total of engagement. The schedule (cognizant of busy schedules and the fact that a good number of participants will be volunteers) will be finalised after consultation with successful applicants.
Importantly successful completion of the training programme gives access to Phase 2 of the programme. In this phase tailored mentor support and €5000 in support will be provided.
I've attached a programme pamphlet and FAQ document. The Expression of Interest Form can be accessed online here.
We've arranged an online information session scheduled for 7pm this Thursday 12th, Thursday 19th and and Thursday 26th March. Please find the link to all sessions here.
It would be very much appreciated if you could forward this email to your relevant networks..
Very happy to take a call or answer emails on the project at any time.
Regards and Thanks
Brendan Mulry
Project Officer,
PEACEPLUS RiSE Project
Irish Rural Link
Unit 2A,
Moate Business Park,
Clara Road,
Moate, Co. Westmeath,
N37W9RO
Tel. 087 49 55 821
12- Free Community Training For CavanPPN members Cavan PPN currently has a number of training courses available to our member groups.
They are available FREE OF CHARGE for member groups.
All the courses are online and places are provided on a first-come, first-served basis.
Your Move: A Women's Leadership Framework for Today
Upcoming Training:
A-Z of Data Protection – Becoming & Remaining Compliant with GDPR
… and more!
(Please note: you must be part of a member group of Cavan PPN to avail of these training courses).
For more information, and to register, please click on the link below: Events | Cavan PPN | Public Participation Network
13- Irish Scholarship & Workshops This year we are running a secondary student scholarship programme which will enable 4 students to attend the summer school Coláiste Sheosaimh in Connemara.
We all know how tight things are currently for families and the fees involved in attending Irish summer schools are substantial. The scholarships will allow 4 students to attend for only €500 each instead of the usual €1,250.
Each year we host Irish Oral workshops in Johnston Central Library, Bailieborough, Virginia, Cootehill, Belturbet and Arva Libraries. The workshops are free and we have at least 12 - 20 spaces in each location so can offer places to around 100 students. The course is facilitated by an exam instructor, so the students get excellent notes and advice on the exam.
Full details available on: News - Cavan County Libraries
14 Dementia Training For Cavan
15 Ripple Effects Toolkit
Dear friends,
My name is Emily, and I am writing to you from the University of Galway, where I am a consortium partner on the Horizon Europe project SHARED GREEN DEAL. This project supports communities in driving local level change on topics like energy, biodiversity, food, circular economy, and mobility.
We are pleased to invite you to a special online workshop to test and experiment with a new toolkit:
The Ripple Effects Toolkit – How local actors can drive change from the ‘in-between’.
Building on insights from 24 social experiments across Europe, this interactive session invites local change makers to explore how their community action can create ripple effects that connect everyday practices with organisational and policy change.
The 1.5-hour workshop is offered online in March and April 2026 (on several dates and in several European languages) and is designed for community organisations, local/regional authorities, facilitators, educators, and others working on sustainability and social innovation.
The content is the same in each session, so participants are invited to register for one workshop in the language that suits them best.
In English the workshops take place on: 17 March and 31 March
Full details and registration:https://sharedgreendeal.eu/events/ripple-effects-toolkit-how-local-actors-can-drive-change-between
Participants will receive early access to the final toolkit and training materials (in English) and may request a certificate of participation.
We would be delighted if you share this invitation with organisations, colleagues and partners who may be interested.
Best regards,
Emily Gray
Emily Gray
Postgraduate researcher, Geography
University of Galway
SURVEYS/CONSULTATIONS
17- RACE Consultation The State Examinations Commission (SEC) is leading a comprehensive review of the Reasonable Accommodations at Certificate Examinations (RACE) Scheme from February to May 2026. We are sharing a link to the consultation, you can share for young people/parents to take part in the survey or make a submission with your Comhairle na nÓg. Please find the link and information about RACE below
What is the RACE schemeThe RACE scheme helps students who have physical, vision, hearing or learning difficulties to take the State examinations by putting in place a number of supports (sometimes called accommodations). The Scheme provides support for candidates who may have difficulty showing what they know in an examination setting. These supports are intended to reduce the impact of a disability on a candidate’s examination performance, allowing them to show their true ability. However, the supports must make sure that these students do not gain an unfair advantage over another student taking the same examination.
Thank you.
Kind regards,
Anna
17- Public Consultation on National Drugs Strategy
Minister Murnane O’Connor launches public consultation on the draft national drugs strategy
The Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy, Jennifer Murnane O’Connor TD has launched a public consultation on the draft national drugs strategy.
The consultation aims to capture a wide range of views, including from those with lived and living experience of drug use and those involved in the provision of services, recognising that Ireland’s response to drug use requires a comprehensive, whole-of-society approach. The consultation will be open for six weeks until 10 April 2026.
Upon completion of the public consultation, a report will be produced for consideration of the Steering Group tasked with drafting the strategy. This report will subsequently be published.
Minister Murnane O’Connor said:
“I am committed to delivering a strong, future-proof national drugs strategy that supports us to respond to the ever-changing challenges posed by drug use and harmful alcohol consumption.
“It is essential that this strategy is informed by the unique insights of people who use drugs, their families, communities, and those who plan and deliver essential services. Their perspectives are critical in helping us to shape how we respond to emerging drug trends, how we prioritise prevention and how we can ensure faster, fairer access to quality integrated healthcare for anyone dealing with drug-related harm.
“I recently published a draft of the strategy, and I’m now encouraging members of the public to have their say. By sharing your opinions and perspectives via the public consultation, you can help to ensure that the final strategy can effectively respond to drug use through a comprehensive health-led approach.”
The draft strategy sets out a vision for a society where individuals, families and communities are protected from harms associated with drug use and harmful alcohol consumption. It priorities prevention, addressing health and social needs, and promotes equitable access to quality, person-centred, integrated healthcare and recovery services.
The public consultation is the final phase in a series of extensive stakeholder engagements aimed at securing a wide range of perspectives on the approach to reducing drug-related harms.
18- The Cost of Disability Public Consultation
We are looking for your views on two things:
The agenda and format for a Cost of Disability Strategic Focus Network Summit. This will be held on the 13 May 2026. This will be a one-day event where key people and groups meet to discuss the cost of disability and help shape future strategy. The summit will include Disabled Persons’ Organisations, Senior Government Officials, employers, civil society representatives and stakeholders with subject expertise. The Minister for Social Protection will chair the Summit
A cost of disability payment. The government has promised to bring in an annual cost of disability payment. We would welcome your views on how the payment should be designed
19- Diversifying Sports Volunteering
As you know the consultation for the Diversify the Volunteer Base in Sport Insights Report is now underway. S3 Solutions are delighted to have been appointed by Sport Ireland to undertake this important research study, which aims to broaden the volunteer base.
The input of individuals (both volunteering and non-volunteering) from across the country is vital to inform the development of this research, which will directly influence practice within the sports sector at a local, regional and national level. We would deeply appreciate your assistance in raising awareness of the digital survey across your network of volunteers and any stakeholder organisations within your network who serve the needs of underrepresented groups, such as Women, People with Disabilities, Ethnic Minorities, LGBTQI+, Traveller/Roma Communities, Youth, and Older People.We are really keen to see the views of those currently volunteering and those who face barriers to volunteering reflected in the report recommendations.
This survey will provide us with insights into the experience of volunteers and non-volunteers as well as underrepresented groups which improve our understanding of the barriers to participation and the value gained from participation in volunteering also. It will take approximately 8 minutes to complete. The survey can be accessed via the following link and will close on Monday 13th April 2026 at 5pm.
Information in relation to how this data is used is included in the introduction to the survey, please read this and if you have any questions about the survey or the process please do not hesitate to ask.
S3 Solutions and Sport Ireland would like to express their thanks in advance to everyone who completes the survey, sharing insights and recommendations which will help to increase diversity within the volunteer base.
20- Your Community Your Say on YOUR Geopark
Calling All Community Voices of the Geopark
Cuilcagh Lakelands Geopark spans the stunning landscapes of Fermanagh & Cavan, from ancient caves and towering cliffs to peaceful woodlands and lakelands shaped over 895 million years. With over 10,000 years of cultural heritage, this place is alive with stories.
We’re creating a brand new Community Plan, and we want your voice at its heart.
Share what matters to you, heritage, environment, tourism, signage, future projects, community wellbeing & more.
Join our community drop in sessions. Have your say. Help shape the future of our Geopark.
21- Calling West Cavan Communities
This May join us for our 3rd in a series of 6 Community Conversations. May's theme is 'Rural Isolation and What It Means To You', and will feature community developer for the Northwest with Muintir na Tire, Caitriona Sinnott. Tea, coffee and food served beforehand and a workshop on community issues and solutions afterwards. Be sure to come along and join in... the community conversation!
To view a recording of our previous Community Conversations you can see them here: Stradone on New Communities with Rafaela Radulescu: https://youtu.be/9XCogH9NmJI Gowna on Arts in the Community with Grainne Conaty: https://youtu.be/KnKz_Q5p5dI
EVENTS & OTHER NEWS
22- National Voter Registration Day
We are writing to let you know that National Voter Registration Day (NVRD) will take place again on Thursday, 30 April 2026.
National Voter Registration Day is a grassroot, community-led initiative that has been running for several years, bringing together local organisations, CSO’s, volunteers, Local Authorities, PPN’s and public representatives to encourage and support voter registration across Ireland.
Endorsed by the Electoral Commission, each year Local Authorities, CSO’s and local groups host registration drives, events or share information online, to highlight the importance of being registered to vote for positive civic engagement and participation. The campaign continues to grow annually, with increasing participation nationwide.
This year's theme is “Have Your Say: Engaging with Irish Public Representatives” to expand conversations on how and why to engage with public representatives and encourage civic engagement. Registration Drives could host a coffee morning/afternoon not only to register or update people’s details but also to speak about this theme, where possible. We believe NVRD could complement the Local Authorities efforts to update inaccuracies in the electoral registers, in line with the recommendations by the Electoral Commission on the Oversight Report on the Electoral Registers.
We will host an online information session on Monday 16th March from 4-5pm to clarify any questions about this campaign, your role on the day and how we can continue increasing voter registration, especially among minority groups.
Below is the link for the information session for next Monday 16th March from 4-5pm.Topic: National Voter Reg Day briefingTime: Mar 16, 2026 04:00 PM DublinJoin Zoom Meetinghttps://us02web.zoom.us/j/81396433239Meeting ID: 813 9643 3239We hope to see many of you online next Monday. Since some of you mentioned you will be on leave that day, we will try to record the session and share the slides afterward.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to get back to us.
Kind regards,
Liliana on behalf of
The National Voter Registration Day Team
23- Seachtaine na Gaeilge sa Cabhán
SEACHTAIN NA GAEILGE sa Chabhán
Tá #SeachtainNaGaeilge2026 buailte linn! Féachaigí anseo Clár na nImeachtaí don chontae idir inniu agus Lá Fhéile Pádraig
Scannáin, siúlóidí, seó sorcais, seisiúin ceoil, céilithe, ciorcail comhrá, ceardlanna, ceardlann drumadóireachta, léachtaí, PopUp Gaeltachtaí, agus go leor leor deiseanna labhartha agus céiliúrtha eile.
GRMA do na grúpaí éagsúla a chuidigh linn an clár seo a chur le chéile. #GCPN
Bígí linn! Fáilte roimh chách!
24- Ballyjamesduff Saint Patrick's Day
The annual St Patrick's Day Parade takes place at 4pm in Ballyjamesduff on Tuesday 17th March.
Prizes for Floats, Children's Entertainment and fun for all the family. All Welcome
25- International Voluteer Year 2026
I’m getting in touch about International Volunteer Year 2026 (IVY 2026) – a global year designated by the UN to celebrate and advocate for volunteering. Volunteer Ireland has been named the national lead on IVY 2026 by the Government of Ireland and will deliver a programme of activities together with other partners in the sector.
They wanted to share some information about IVY 2026 and some ideas for how you can get involved.
Call to action: 26 for ‘26
The main call to action for IVY 2026 - 26 for ’26 - was launched in January. Volunteer Ireland are calling on people to volunteer 26 hours during 2026. They can take the pledge on Volunteer Ireland's website and they’ll get a digital pledge badge. They’ll also be gathering their stories and sharing them throughout the year. It’s a lovely way to recognise your existing volunteers and could even form part of a volunteer recruitment campaign.
Video series: A day in the life of a volunteer
Volunteer Ireland are asking volunteers across the country to share a day in their life as a volunteer. They want to showcase volunteering in all its forms. Volunteering is often undervalued and misunderstood and they want to change that. They want to show people what it's really like to volunteer and they need your help!
They're looking for volunteers to take part in a series of A Day in the Life of a Volunteer videos. All people need to take part is to be a volunteer and have a smartphone. Volunteers don't need any special skills and Volunteer Ireland will be there to offer support and guidance. Do you know a volunteer that could fit the bill? It would be a great showcase for some of your organisations and the volunteer roles they have on offer. Volunteers can complete the form below to indicate their interest in taking part. Or you can email amy@volunteer.ie for more information.
Quick hits: Easy ways to mark IVY 2026
One of the easiest ways to get involved is to talk about the importance of volunteering and help amplify the IVY 2026 message. For example, you could:
· Add the IVY 2026 logo to your email, website and events
· Let your volunteers know that it’s IVY 2026 and thank them for their contribution
· Mention IVY 2026 and the importance of volunteering in event speeches, policy meetings and presentations
· Ask volunteers to take the 26 for ’26 pledge
· Ask a volunteer to get involved in the day in the life video project
You can find more logos, blurbs and social assets on the IVY 2026 Trello board.
If there’s anything else Volunteer Ireland can do to support your engagement with IVY 2026 or if you’d like any more information, please get in touch - amy@volunteer.ie.
26- Ancient Earth Experience in Killykeen
We are delighted to invite you to our Ancient Earth Experience for adults and kids at 10am on Friday 20th, March in Killykeen Forest Park. We will meet beside the footbridge from 930am onwards. It is a free event sponsored by Cavan Arts and Cavan County Council that involves walking through time to understand how life evolved and where we might be going. There will be music, poetry and games and people are welcome to walk a little or a lot. Wrap up well and bring your curiosity.
Booking 0852703080 or fiachra@ecopeaceproject.org
Tá ríméad orainn cuireadh a thabhairt duit chuig ár ‘Siúlóid An Domhan Ársa’ le haigaigh daoine fásta agus do leanaí a dhéanamh ar siúl Dé hAoine 20ú Marta ag 10 a chlog i bPáirc Foraoise Coillidh Chaoin.
Buailfimid le chéile in aice leis an droichead coisithe ó 9.30 r.n. ar aghaidh. Beidh go leor ceol, filíocht agus cluichí ann agus tá fáilte roimh dhaoine siúl pé méid is mian leo.
Is turas claochlaitheach é ár Siúloid an Domhain Ársa trí 4.6 billiún bliain de stair an Domhain trí shiúlóid 4.6 ciliméadar ina bhfuil gach méadar cothrom le 1 bhliain. Tá bealach níos giorra ann le suíocháin agus deochanna te ar fáil dóibh siúd ar fearr leo gan an 4.6k a dhéanamh. Is turas álainn é ar a dtugtar cuireadh do scairshealbhóirí an bealach a bhreathnaíonn siad ar an domhan a athrú. Ar an mbealach úsáidfimid machnaimh, cluichí agus ceol chun ceangal a dhéanamh lena chéile, leis an tírdhreach agus gníomhaíochtaí n-oidhreacht chomhroinnte, chun é anseo agus cá bhféadfaimis a bheith ag dul, le tacaíocht ó Oifig Ealaíon an Chabháin
0852703080
27- Ballinagh St Patricks Parade
28- Irish Bat Conference
11th IRISH BAT CONFERENCE
We have a busy programme with over 25 talks planned for Saturday on topics as varied as the impacts of noise and light on bats, bats and pest suppression, monitoring schemes, lesser horseshoe bat conservation, physiology, bat migration and offshore wind. Sunday's workshops include thermal imaging drones for roost surveys, dark sky friendly lighting and ground level tree assessments.
For information about our keynote speakers, conference programme and tickets: Buy tickets – 11th Irish Bat Conference – Riddel Hall, 185 Stranmillis Road, Belfast
29- Call For Creative Presentations For March
Call for Presentations and Creative Workshops: Portal Spring Regional Day 2026
Portal Spring Regional Day at the Garage Theatre, Monaghan on 25th April 2026
Submission Deadline: 18 March
Artists, teachers, academics and arts education professionals… Would you like to be part of the Portal Spring Regional Day? The Arts in Education Portal Team is seeking submissions for presentations and creative workshops for the Portal Spring Regional Day 2026 with a focus on the North-East Region. This regional event will take place on Saturday 25th April at the Garage Theatre, Monaghan.
The event aims to connect teachers, artists, arts managers and anyone with an interest in art and creativity in education based in the counties around Monaghan, Cavan, Louth, Meath and Westmeath. Read more about the Portal Regional Day here.
We are inviting proposals from organisations or individuals who are involved in arts and creative projects in education in the North-East, and who want to give inspiring presentations or workshops that can offer sharing of skills, practical approaches, new insights and critical thinking across the field, from a range of perspectives.
The Portal team is also interested in proposals from arts and creativity in education projects involved in Shared Island Initiatives.
This is a paid opportunity. Presenters who are freelance will receive a fee of €250 each with up to a maximum of 2 presenters per session. Creative workshop facilitators will receive a fee of €425. This fee comprises €250 for delivery and €175 for prep/materials. Maximum of 1 facilitator per workshop.
Read more and apply here by 5pm, 18 March.
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Éilís Murphy
She/her
Events Coordinator
Kids' Own Publishing Partnership
(Arts in Education Portal Managers)
30- Gaelscoil Bhréifne Clothing Collection
31- The Future of Planning in Ireland & How It Affects YOU
Planning and Development Act 2024
What You Need to Know About the Future of Planning in Ireland and How it Affects You
When: Wednesday March 25th, 7pm
Where: Online
You are invited to attend our upcoming webinar with Luke McCann, Senior Associate at FP Logue LLP.
We are very grateful to Luke and excited to hear from his expertise on the Planning and Development Act 2024.
This session will address:
A brief run through the 2024 Act
What changes should you be aware of and know about?
The key impacts on environmental groups and NGOs, including stricter rules for challenging planning decisions, new eligibility criteria for standing, and a requirement to exhaust all administrative appeals first.
Will legal challenges become more difficult and costly?
Has access to judicial review been curtailed and how?
Will organisations that take a judicial review now be liable for the full costs?
What should organisations do if they are unhappy with a planning decision in their area or which impacts their work? What are the courses of action open to them?
About Luke McCann:
Luke is Senior Associate with FP Logue
Before joining FP Logue LLP, Luke worked as an associate in the planning and environment team of a leading Irish law firm. In that role Luke specialised in both bringing and defending legal challenges in the Planning and Environment Court of the High Court, involving complex issues of European and Irish law. Luke also delivered professional training courses on the Habitats Directive.
Prior to qualification as a solicitor, Luke worked as a judicial assistant in the Supreme Court, assigned to the Chief Justice.
Please register through the link above to attend
32- Community Conversation
33- Older Persons Drop In Info Sessions
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