Cavan Community ENews 14.11.25
- Daniel Downey
- Nov 12
- 20 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
Welcome to your weekly ENews. Our news is compiled weekly from our over 500 member groups, 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
FUNDING
1. FUNDING: Music Capital Scheme
2. FUNDING: Rural Action Awards Scheme
3. FUNDING: Community Climate Action Programme
4. FUNDING: Patagonia Enviro Grant 5. FUNDING: Community - Based CCTV Scheme
6. FUNDING: Communications Grant 7. FUNDING: Festival Investment Scheme 2026
8. FUNDING: ACORN Fund For Communities
9. FUNDING: Human Animal Interaction Benefits Research Grant
10. FUNDING: Local Bereavement Development Grant
TRAINING
11. TRAINING: Think Outside the Box Training for Parents
12. TRAINING: Community Climate Leadership Training
13. TRAINING: FREE Community Training Courses for PPN Groups
14. TRAINING: National Literacy Training
SURVEYS/CONSULTS 15. SURVEYS/CONSULTS: Shape National Strategy for Community Safety
16.SURVEYS/CONSULTS: Digital/ICT Training Requirements for Cavan Communities 17. SURVEYS/CONSULTS: Ireland Dog Census 2025 18. SURVEYS/CONSULTS: Shape Your Child's Primary Schools 19. SURVEYS/CONSULTS: ReDeployment of Cavan's CCTV Cameras 20. SURVEYS/CONSULTS: Cavan Renewable Energy Survey 21. SURVEYS/CONSULTS: The Power to Change Survey for Communities 22. SURVEYS/CONSULTS: Consultation On Misinformation & Disinformation
EVENTS & OTHER NEWS
23. Cavan Community Stop Smoking Service
24. Ancient Earth Experience In Killykeen This Weekend 25. Virginia Food & Craft Fair 26. Attention Cavan Vendors & Performers 27. AI For All Ages & Abilities Event 28. Parenting Cavan Event 29. Putting Your House In Order, End of Life Info 30. Theatre of the Oppressed 31. Your Community, Your Services Cavan Event 32. Fairgreen Gardens FunQuiz 33. St Bricin's Table Quiz 34. Drug & Alcohol Awareness Week Webinars
35. SDG Stakeholder Forum Event 36. Alice in Winterland Show
37. See Her Elected - Invitation to Book Launch (Live Stream)
38. CavanPPN Community Winter Conference A Success In Ballyconnell
FUNDING
Music Capital Scheme
Mel from Music Network here, I hope you are well.
I am writing to let you know about the launch of the Music Capital Scheme 2025 which may be of interest to some of the organisations in your networks.
The scheme supports funding for the purchase of musical instruments and selected items of equipment to individual professional performing musicians and non-professional groups across the country. A total of €1,040,000 in funding is available through the following three awards which are now open for applications:
Music Capital Scheme Award 1 supports the purchase of musical instruments by non-professional performing groups
Music Capital Scheme Award 2 supports the purchase of musical instruments by individual established professional performing musicians
Music Capital Scheme Award 3 supports the purchase of musical instruments by individual emerging professional performing musicians
The Scheme is now open for applications and the deadline for applications is 2pm, Thursday 27 November 2025.
You can find further details of the scheme on the Music Network website at https://www.musicnetwork.ie/whats-on/music-capital-scheme
This is our biggest award fund to date and we would really appreciate it if you could help us to spread the word far and wide by sharing the information with any relevant contacts and through your social media. Our social media pack is available on Dropbox here and includes graphics for the different social media platforms and some sample social media post text, which you may find helpful. Download our social media pack here. If you have any issues accessing Dropbox just let me know and I’ll arrange to get the information to you another way.
We will also be providing an extensive range of applicant supports to both organisations and individuals, with a particular focus on supporting first time and previously unsuccessful applicants. These include two online Information Sessions on 28 October, seminars on key topics including recording creation, artistic planning, and application writing skills, along with a limited number of one-to-one consultation sessions with each seminar presenter. All supports are provided free of charge to applicants, and you can find out more about them at https://www.musicnetwork.ie/whats-on/music-capital-scheme-applicant-support-sessions
2. Parent Peer Support Fund For the 4th year running, the Rural Action Awards Scheme 2025/26 is currently open for applications and will randomly select 4 successful recipients after the current closing date of 20 November 2025.
The Awards offer rural community-based organisations in Northern Ireland or the border region of Ireland the opportunity to apply for and secure £1000 or €1000 towards their volunteer led community action project.
Deadline: 20 Nov
Find out more here
3. Community Climate Action Programme
Phase 2 of funding under the Community Climate Action Programme is now open for applications. Applications will close at 12 noon on Tuesday 23rd December 2025. Community groups can apply online via the Submit portal: https://submit.link/4da. Groups interested in delivering a climate action project and applying under the fund are asked to contact Tara Smith, Community Climate Action Officer: tarasmith@cavancoco.ie
4. Patagonia Enviro Grants
Patagonia Environmental Grants
Patagonia supports environmental organisations with bold, direct-action agendas and a commitment to long-term change.
They support innovative work that addresses the root causes of the environmental crisis and seeks to protect both the environment and affected communities.
Deadline: Various
More info: https://eu.patagonia.com/ie/en/how-we-fund/
5. Community -Based CCTV Scheme
Community-based CCTV Grant Aid Scheme
The community-based CCTV grant aid scheme supports communities and local authorities who wish to install and maintain CCTV security systems in their area to increase public safety and to deter illegal or anti-social behaviour.
The maximum grant available for each CCTV system is €45,000.
Applicants to the scheme can include not-for-profit organisations within the community, as well as relevant statutory or voluntary organisations. For example, applicants may include:
area partnerships
community development projects
family resource centres
local authorities
community enterprises
Applications are also welcome from groups such as a not-for-profit consortium of private and community interests which has come together to formulate an application.
Deadline: Ongoing
6. Communications Grant
Hi CavanPPN Members
I hope you are well. I just wanted to get in touch in case you haven’t come across our Circular.ie Communications Grant scheme. These grants are designed to support community groups, social enterprises, and local initiatives to raise awareness of circular activities in communities.
The goal is to help organisations share their stories, highlight circular alternatives, and inspire wider community participation.
You can find more details here €100,000 in Communications Grants
7. Festival Investment Scheme
Festivals Investment Scheme 2026 – Round 2 - 20th Nov
The Festivals Investment Scheme supports small-to-mid-scale festivals to deliver high-quality arts experiences for audiences. It focuses on programmes engaged with, and relevant to, local communities or communities of interest.
There are 3 bands under which to apply:
Band A – for awards up to €10,000
Band B – for awards of €10,001–€25,000
Band C – for awards of €25,001–€45,000
Round 2 is open to organisations resident in the Republic of Ireland promoting festivals with a clear artistic purpose and which commence between 1 July and 31 December 2026. An organisation may make only one application under the Festivals Investment Scheme in a year (i.e. one application in one band per calendar year).
Deadline: 5.30pm Thursday 20th November 2025
8- ACORN Fund For Communities
The ‘Acorn Fund' for Emerging Communities
We know that smaller community groups in underserved areas sometimes need that extra bit of support to get started or grow their impact. That's why we're launching our pilot Acorn Fund to help small community initiatives flourish.
The Acorn Fund provides:
Enhanced affordability at just 5% (compared to our standard rates)
Community-sized support from €5,000 to €15,000
Term loans up to 5 years and bridging loans up to 24 months
Dedicated guidance including application assistance and development planning
No arrangement fees and no personal guarantees required
No early repayment fees or penalties
This €250,000 pilot fund is specifically designed to reach groups that might not have considered support before, helping small acorns grow into mighty community assets.
The fund is open for applications for a 12-month period and designed specifically for new and emerging community organisations working in underserved areas.
📧 Email: info@clanncredo.ie 📞 Phone: (01) 400 2100
9- Animal-Human Interaction Benefits Research Grant
Addressing Evidence-Based Health Benefits of Human-Animal Interaction - 26th Feb 2026
The Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) is issuing a call for research proposals from institutions and organizations across the globe to investigate the health outcomes of pet ownership and/or animal-assisted interventions (AAI), both for the people and the animals involved. Proposals should have a strong theoretical framework and focus on innovative approaches to studying the positive effects of companion animals on human health.
HABRI is interested in funding a wide range of studies focused on the human-animal bond.
Deadline: 26th February 2026
More info: https://habri.org/grants/funding-opportunities/rfp-addressing-evidence-based-health-benefits-of-hai
10- Local Bereavement Development Grant
Local Bereavement Development Grant - 28th Nov
The Irish Hospice Foundation's 2025 Local Bereavement Development Grant is open for applications. It is a one-off award for groups of six or more organisations within a geographical area that offer bereavement support. The grant encourages and supports collaborative efforts in local bereavement care development.
A webinar on Tuesday 4th November will explain what the Local Bereavement Network Grant is, and outline some examples of projects. Click here to register https://hospicefoundation.ie/our-supports-services/bereavement-loss-hub/bereavement-support/bereavement-events/
Deadline: 5pm Friday 28th November 2025
TRAINING
11- Thinking Outside the Box Training for Parents
12- Adult Education Part Time Classes
Adult Education part-time timetables have been issued this morning. These cover classes from December 2025 to Easter 2026.
The timetables are available on the CMETB Adult Guidance web page, at the bottom of the landing page:
You can also access them directly here:
13- 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.
Examples include:
A-Z of Data Protection – Becoming & Remaining Compliant with GDPR
Finance for Non-Financial Managers
Making the News - create news releases and interview/feature pitches with a strong news hook to help secure media attention.
… 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
14- National Literacy Training
The National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA) is hosting a free four-part webinar series for people working and volunteering in the community and voluntary sector. All events will be online.
This webinar series will explore different aspects of adult literacy, from research on adult learning in Ireland to how peer support can help adults learn.
Register for the webinars
You can find out more details on each webinar and register through the links below.
For more information, contact Derv in NALA at dryan@nala.ie or on 01 255 1868.
Literacy in Ireland
In Ireland, around 700,000 adults struggle with reading and understanding information. Around 835,000 struggle doing everyday maths like dividing a bill in a restaurant*. This means they may find it difficult to:
fill in a form;
divide or add up a bill; or
help kids with homework.
Community and voluntary organisations provide essential support and services to communities across Ireland. You are in a unique position to champion literacy and be a support to those who are nervous or embarrassed to ask for help.
SURVEYS/CONSULTATIONS
15- Shape the National Strategy for Improving Community Safety
Following please find correspondence from Gráinne Berrill, Director, National Office for Community Safety, seeking written submissions to the new National Strategy for Improving Community Safety, for consideration.
Further information regarding the strategy, consultation and submission process are included in the attached Issues Paper.
We very much encourage your PPN to participate in this process. Submissions must be received by close of business on Friday, 28 November 2025.
If you have any queries in relation to this process, please contact: strategy@communitysafety.ie.
16 - Digital/ICT Training Requirements Survey For Cavan Communities
Please find attached a short survey compiled by Cavan County Council relating to DS3
Project which is supported by the PEACEPLUS Programme and managed by the Special EU
Programmes Body.
The purpose of this survey is to identify Digital /ICT training requirements in our rural
business communities (SME’s and Micro’s) and civic society (community and voluntary
organisations). We will use the feedback provided to us to develop and deliver skills,
training, and mentoring in areas of need identified in this survey so your feedback is
important to us.
If you would like any additional information regarding the DS3 Project, please contact-
Caroline Brady: cbrady@cavancoco.ie
You can access the survey by clicking the link below:
digital-skills-development-businesses-and-communities
17- Ireland's Dog Census
Ireland’s Dog Census is back for 2025 – and it’s bigger and better than ever!
We’ve got more dogs for you to meet, more questions for you to ponder, and more ways for you to help make life better for Ireland’s vulnerable canines.
Dog owners and lovers across the country really pulled out all the stops in last year’s Census, but there are still so many furry, four-legged friends who need our help.
Whether you own a dog or not, your answers, thoughts and opinions can help us provide better care for every dog in need. So… let’s get started!
18- Shape Your Child's Primary School Survey
Help shape the future of your child’s primary school
Take part in the Primary School Survey today.
It’s quick, easy, and confidential.
This survey is for parents and guardians of children in primary school or who will enter primary school in the coming years. There is a separate survey below for primary school staff and board of management members.
Complete it here:
19- Consult on Re-Deployment of Cavan CCTV Cameras
Public Consultation for Re-deployment of CCTV Cameras in County Cavan
Cavan County Council is undertaking a public consultation on the re-deployment of CCTV cameras at our Bring BanksNetwork across County Cavan.
Cavan County Council intends to install and operate CCTV cameras for fixed time periods at various sites for the solepurpose of preventing litter and illegal dumping and enforcement of the Litter Pollution Act, 1997 as amended. Thisinitiative will adhere to the new National Code of Practice for the Operation of CCTV for the Purposes of Prevention,Detection & Prosecution of Litter Offences.
Cavan County Council Bring Centres are located at the following locations:
Cavan Belturbet Municipal District
1 Cavan Town Pullamore Near (Dublin Road adjacent to Tarpey's Supervalu)
2 Cavan Town Tullymongan Resource Centre
3 Cavan Town Main Street Carpark (Behind Tesco)
4 Blacklion Rear of Go Service Station - Sligo Road
5 Dowra Sligo Road
6 Glangevlin St. Patrick's Hall, Blacklion Road
7 Swanlinbar Furnacelands Estate, Creamery Road
8 Corlough Knockmore, Templeport
9 Bawnboy Ballyconnell Road
10 Ballyconnell Opposite entrance to Derryginny Gardens Estate
11 Belturbet Clones Road beside Fire Station
12 Killeshandra Carpark, Community Centre
Cootehill Bailieborough Municipal District
13 Redhills Entrance to Sewerage Plant
14 Ballyhaise Lisnashanna, Ballyhaise
15 Cootehill Carpark, St. Michael's Hall
16 Lavey Carpark beside Killyconnan N.S
17 New Inns Opposite Lavey GAA Grounds
18 Shercock Cootehill Road
19 Bailieborough Tesco Carpark
20 Kingscourt Kells road, opposite Fire Station
21 Killinkere Rear car park at Killinkere CLG
Ballyjamesduff Municipal District
22 Arvagh Moyne Road
23 Cornafean Carpark, MacSeain's Pub
24 Crossdoney Carpark, Shantully Inn
25 Ballinagh Carpark, Gavin's Centra (Off Main Street)
26 Killydoon Carpark, Mullahoran Parochial Hall
27 Kilnaleck Fairgreen, Carpark adjacent to Copper Kettle Pub
28 Ballyjamesduff Entrance to Cattle Mart, Granard Road
29 Virginia Tesco/ Lidl Carpark, Ballyjamesduff Road
30 Munterconnaught Munterconnaught GAA Grounds
31 Mullagh Fairgreen (Off Main Street)
32 Mountnugent Community Centre Car Park
Submissions and/or observations on the proposed re-deployment of CCTV cameras are invited from members of the
public and from voluntary and representative bodies.
Submissions or observations with respect to this proposal may be made in writing to the Environmental Services,
Cavan County Council, Farnham St, Cavan, County Cavan or alternatively, you may email submissions or
observations to litterplan@cavancoco.ie . This consultation will be for a period of 3 weeks ending on 26 th November,
2025.
Paddy Connaughton
Director of Services
Cavan County Council
20- Cavan Renewable Energy Survey
In line with our national obligations and commitments laid out in the Cavan County Development Plan 2022-2028 and the Cavan Local Climate Action Plan, Cavan County Council has procured consultants Arup to develop a County Renewable Energy Strategy.
The Cavan County Renewable Energy Strategy will be a key component of future governance decisions and policy development in County Cavan and will sit within a broader economic and community development plan. The Strategy aims to identify the potential of renewable energy sources and explore the opportunities and constraints of these sources across a range of socio-economic, environmental, and political considerations. The opportunities and constraints will be presented alongside a series of GIS maps and baseline graphs. The Strategy will also include renewable energy generation targets for County Cavan.
The project team would like to invite members of the public to complete a short survey to help inform the Renewable Energy Strategy for County Cavan: Link to Renewable Energy Strategy Survey
21- Power to Change Survey
As part of the Power to Change project led by Atlantic Technological University in partnership with the Sligo Public Participation Network, they are collecting input from community groups across Ireland.
Please take this 15 minute survey to help gather evidence of the constraints community groups face both in taking action for climate and in your general work.
Survey here: www.surveymonkey.com/r/NHFCGGT
Please also share with other groups you know. Ultimately the Power to Change project has been about actively supporting groups to undertake climate actions. However there are barriers to groups undertaking climate action, as well as challenges that community organisations face in general. In order to help groups overcome these challenges we need to gather evidence. This means hearing from you!
The data generated will be used as part of Power to Change to demonstrate to government evidence that they need to provide supports to this sector and that they need to listen to community organisations and respond to their needs in terms of the changes they make, if they want the sector to engage in climate action.
If you would like to read more about the Power to Change project you can do so here: https://www.sligoppn.com/power-to-change/
22- Consultation On Misinformation & Disinformation
We’d like to invite you to take part in a short survey (5–10 minutes) being carried out by researchers at Dublin City University.
The study looks at how false or misleading information (misinformation and disinformation) is affecting Ireland’s voluntary and community sector - especially charities and organisations working on issues such as gender, race, and migration.
The survey covers:
What kinds of false stories or harmful narratives are targeting the sector
How these impact organisations’ ability to do their work
What supports or resources could help groups respond more effectively.
All responses will be anonymous. The findings will be published in a report early next year to highlight the impact of misinformation on our sector.
Please complete the survey here.
Thank you for your time and input.
EVENTS & OTHER NEWS
23- Cavan Community Stop Smoking Service
Dear Cavan Community Organisations,
We are delighted to inform you about our updates to the “Free HSE Cavan Community Stop Smoking Service and provide you with the details of new additional clinics added across the County;
Tuesday weekly Clinic in Drumalee Primary Care Centre
Wednesday fortnightly clinic in Darley Health Centre Cootehill
Wednesday fortnightly clinic in Killeshandra Primary Care Centre*
Thursday weekly clinic in Connolly Street Primary Care Centre
Thursday fortnightly clinic in Virginia Primary Care Centre*
*(new clinics)
What do we provide?
This is FREE community stop smoking service is available to all of County Cavan for the entire community. It offers friendly confidential one to one support and advice to all clients along with 12 weeks free Nicotine Replacement Therapy.
How can someone access the service?
Referrals can be made via - telephone, email, self-referrals and paper referrals; details of which are contained in the attached leaflet. If you require any leaflets for your business please reach out to us.
We look forward to supporting any of your team or service users on their quit journey.
Please contact us if you have any further queries.
Shelley Mahon on behalf of the Cavan Stop Smoking Team
Oifigeach Cothaithe agus Feabhsaithe Sláinte | Health Promotion & Improvement Officer
Comhairleoir chun Stop a Chaitheamh Tobac | Stop Smoking Advisor
M: 087 4424461| E: michelle.mahon7@hse.ie
(*Please note: my working days are Tuesday- Friday)
24- Ancient Earth Experience in Killykeen
We are delighted to invite you to our Ancient Earth Experience for adults and kids on Saturday 15th November at 2pm in Killykeen Forest Park. We will meet beside the footbridge from 1.30pm onwards. It is a free event sponsored by Cuilcagh Lakelands Geopark 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.
25- Virginia Food & Craft Fair
26- Attention Cavan Vendors & prformers
Attention to All Cavan Vendors and Performers!
We are searching for Cavan-based vendors who may not have reached us through our email application process. Your interest is highly valued, and we want to ensure we do not miss anyone who's eager to join us!
Interested? Fill out our expression of interest form'
Visit our website www.cottagemarketcavan.ie or Instagram page @thecottagemarketcavan for further information
27- AI For All Ages & Abilities
Teaching with AI — for ALL ages & abilities
Come learn how to incorporate AI technology into teaching methods for students of all ages and abilities!
Wednesday November 19th | 10:30am – 12:30pm
Johnston Central Library, Cavan.
For educators, youth workers, trainers, tutors, teaching assistants & anyone curious about AI in education
Join us for a hands-on session where educators of all levels will explore how AI tools like Magic School AI and ChatGPT can transform teaching and employability skills.
Learn to design age-appropriate, inclusive activities, adapt resources for any learner, and leave with at least one ready-to-use AI-powered activity.
Grab your spot & register here: Teaching with AI for all Ages and Abilities Tickets, Wed 19 Nov 2025 at 10:00 | Eventbrite
28- Parenting Cavan Event
29- Putting Your House In Order
Art of Life presents - Putting Your House in Order
Plan your legal, medical, financial and personal affairs for the future, with Irish Hospice Foundation, Decision Support Service. Join us for a free workshop with drumming, refreshments and time for questions on: Enduring Power of Attorney, Advance Healthcare Directives, Decision-Making Supports.
To book email agefriendly@cavancoco.ie or call (049) 437 8654
30- Theatre of the Oppressed
FREE WORKSHOP IN CAVAN:
Challenge injustice with active participation through innovative Forum Theatre!
Step onto the Stage: A Collective Rehearsal for Reality
Cavan Town - Venue to be announced.
If you've ever felt powerless in the face of social injustice or climate issues, this event is for you. This is not a passive lecture or a traditional performance—it is a live, interactive exploration using the innovative methodology of Forum Theatre (part of Augusto Boal’s Theatre of the Oppressed).
For more information and to register, click on the Eventbrite Link below. https://cscwliveperformance.eventbrite.ie/
31- Your Community, Your Services
We are delighted to invite your organisation to take part in “Your Community, Your Services”, a whole community event showcasing the wide range of supports and services available across County Cavan.
Date: Tuesday November 18th
Time: 11.00am – 13.00pm
Venue: Johnston Central Library, Cavan.
This event will give your service the opportunity to:
Promote your work and raise awareness of the supports you provide
Connect directly with members of the public and other organisations
Build stronger community links and networks
Hear first-hand from service users about their needs and the gaps in information and access they experience
The fair brings together community, voluntary, and statutory organisations in one space, creating a valuable opportunity for collaboration and connection.
We are so appreciative for your participation and help to make information more accessible for everyone in our community.
Included here is a poster for the event and would be grateful if you could display this in your service, distribute to service users, advertise via your social media channels.
We extend our thanks to all services for their collaboration on this event:
32- Fairgreen Commuity Gardens Funquiz
33- St. Bricin's Table Quiz
34- Drug & Alcohol Awareness Week Webinars
The Social Exclusion and The Importance of Sleep webinars will take place next week.
There are other webinars also scheduled for next week.
Please click on the link below to book all the webinars.
35- SDG National Stakeholder Forum
SDGs National Stakeholder Forum
SDG Localisation – SDGs Working Locally
Tuesday December 2nd UCC.
Please join us in Cork on December 2nd for our final forum of 2025.
Registration opens at 7pm on Thursday, November 6th with an additional release of tickets at 10:00am on Friday, November 7th.
You can register for attendance here
All workshops will be live streamed with interaction available via Slido.
The Communicating the SDGs workshop will have ISL interpretation and live captioning.
The four workshops you can choose from are:
Communicating the SDGs – Bringing the Message Home
Synergies for Success – Identifying Potential for Community collaboration
Localising the SDGs - Charting Ireland’s Path to Voluntary Local Reviews
Healthy Cities – Urban living in an SDG informed world
Looking forward to seeing you in UCC on December 2nd
The SDG Team
Update: Registration for the SDGs National Stakeholder Forum is now open.
Theme: SDG Localisation – SDGs Working Locally
Date: December 2nd 2025
Venue: Aula Maxima, University College Cork
All workshops will be live streamed.
Looking forward to seeing you in UCC on December 2nd
The SDG Team
36- Alice in Winterland
We’re staging Alice in Winterland: a family Christmas show at Drumavaddy Hall (5th–7th Dec). It’s a lively, modern performance packed with singing, dancing, fun, and familiar hits. We’re inviting local businesses to sponsor with funds going towards advertising, venue hire, costumes, props, and production. Sponsorship can be any amount. All donations welcome.
Sponsors will be featured in our programme, on social media, and acknowledged during the shows.
It’s a great way to support local creativity and keep family entertainment and spending right here in our community instead of going elsewhere.
If you’d like to come on board, you can write a cheque or make a bank transfer to Pothole Productions Cavan — I can share the details.
Please see the poster attached for more about the event. We are also on all social media platforms.
Thanks for helping make this local production something special for Cavan families!
Best,
Vanessa Galligan
086-7333328
37- See Her Elected - Invitation to Book Launch (Live Stream)
We would love for you to join us next week for the live stream of the launch of 'A Guide to Running in the Local Elections 2029' on Friday, November 21, at 1pm.
The book written by See Her Elected is the only guide in the country that shows people how to run for local government.
Our first guide supported hundreds of women to run for council seats back in 2024 - our new edition is bigger and better than ever and includes invaluable information that candidates and their teams will need in the lead up to 2029.
The launch will include a Ministerial Address by John Cummins, TD and guest speaker Kathy Sheridan, Irish Times columnist.
The SHE team hopes to see you there!
38- CavanPPN Community Winter Conference A Success In Ballyconnell
Cavan Public Participation Network (PPN) held its annual Winter Community Conference this evening in partnership with Cavan County Local Development (CCLD). The event brought together representatives from community, voluntary, environmental and social inclusion groups across the county to celebrate progress, share updates, and plan for the future. The evening reflected the shared purpose of both organisations — building stronger, more connected communities where local voices influence local decisions. The evening began with a warm welcome and opening remarks from Cathaoirleach of Cavan County Council, Councillor John Paul Feeley.
As the youngest of seven from West Cavan and a qualified solicitor, Cllr. Feeley has long been an advocate for rural development, volunteering with the Killinagh Community Council, St. Vincent de Paul, and several other community groups.
In his address, he emphasised the importance of local participation and volunteerism, recognising the PPN as “the heartbeat of civic engagement in County Cavan.”
Daniel Downey, Coordinator of Cavan PPN, shared a comprehensive report on the network’s achievements in 2025 — a year he described as “challenging but deeply productive.”
Key highlights included:
272 one-to-one supports delivered to local groups in the first six months.
Nine representative elections successfully conducted for Strategic Policy Committees.
10% membership growth achieved by April, surpassing the annual target.
Office relocation to the CCLD building, strengthening partnership and accessibility.
Appointment of a Networking Officer, enhancing community connections.
Hosting 3 Community Meitheals, 2 Plenary Conferences, and 3 Pillar events, plus representation at 3 major public showcases.
11 of 16 workplan projects completed, with 5 additional arising needs added during the year.
A notable milestone was the collaboration with the Irish Environmental Network for Biodiversity Week on Turbet Island — a project that highlighted both Cavan’s natural heritage and the PPN’s capacity for national partnership.
At 8.00pm, the conference welcomed Ger Deering, National Ombudsman, who delivered an engaging presentation on the role of his office in supporting fairness, transparency, and public accountability.
Having previously served as Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman, the first Commissioner for Taxi Regulation, and founding Director of the National Employment Rights Authority, Mr. Deering drew on decades of experience to show how open communication and accessible systems empower citizens to hold public bodies to account.
“Good governance begins with trust — and trust grows from being heard.”
— Ger Deering, Ombudsman
At 8.20pm, the conference heard from Social Justice Ireland (SJI) — an independent think-tank and advocacy organisation dedicated to advancing social equity and sustainability.
Representatives from SJI reminded attendees that the organisation was instrumental in the original design of the Public Participation Network model, aimed at enhancing community empowerment and participatory democracy at the local level.
Their address highlighted the importance of inclusive policy-making, fair distribution of resources, and the need to align local actions with the national sustainability agenda.
“True community empowerment happens when every voice — no matter how small — can help shape policy.”
— Social Justice Ireland
A Q&A session followed, allowing local representatives to engage directly with both national speakers on issues of governance, representation, and social justice.
The evening concluded with a performance by the Cavan County Choir, followed by tea, coffee, and networking. The atmosphere reflected the strength and warmth of community life in County Cavan — a testament to the volunteers, staff, and local leaders who make civic participation possible.
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