Cavan Community ENews 22.8.25
- Daniel Downey
- Aug 20
- 27 min read
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: Historic Structures Fund 2025 OPEN!
2. FUNDING: Twinning Towns Fund 2025
3. FUNDING: Community Climate Action Fund OPEN!
4. FUNDING: Cavan Sports Partnership Funding 5. FUNDING: Ireland Against Racism Fund
6. FUNDING: Disability in Marginalised Groups & Communities 7. FUNDING: Integration Fund
8. FUNDING: ACORNS Programme Application
9. FUNDING: Council LIS Scheme Update
10. FUNDING: Heritage Keepers Programme
TRAINING
11. TRAINING: Sports Partnership Courses
12. TRAINING: Healthy Food Made Easy
13. TRAINING: FREE Community Training for Groups
14. TRAINING: Bereavement & Grief Training Course
15. TRAINING: Youth Environmental Awareness Workshops
16. TRAINING: Transformative Leadership Programme
SURVEYS/CONSULTS 17. SURVEYS/CONSULTS: National Obesity Consultation 18. SURVEYS/CONSULTS: Virginia Lakeshore 19. SURVEYS/CONSULTS: Consult on Cavan County Council Communications 20. SURVEYS/CONSULTS: Ballinagh Traffic 21. SURVEYS/CONSULTS: Cavan Views Sought On The European Union
EVENTS & OTHER NEWS
22. Cavan Outdoor Cinema
23. Tidy Towns Appreciation Day
24. Embrace Farm Supports 25. Leargas Annual Flagship Event 26. Career Guidance Jobs Fair 27- Your Community Needs Your Driving Skills...Become A Volunteer Driver Today!!! 28- Eco Arts & Culture for All 29- Cavan County Council Estate Awards Event 30- Killykeen Heritage Tour 31- FASD Awareness Day 32- SICAP "In Our Words" Invite to PPN Members 33- Virginia Men's Shed Beard Cutting Fundraiser 34- CavanPPN Seeks 3 Voices For Cross Border Event
35- Multi-Award Winning Storyteller Coming to Cavan Town This Weekend 36- Killeshandra Loop of the Lakes 37- Older Person's Social Group Event 38- Unmaksed Nature; Neurodivergence & Nature West Cavan Walk 39- Suicide & Self Harm Content On Social Media Platforms 40- Drumming for Communities & Mental Wellness 41- Daniel's Fundraiser for Cavan SOSAD 42 The Nature Restoration Law 43 Building A Resilient Future Through Local Government 44. Walk for Ollie Fundraiser 45. An Evening of Song & Poetry
FUNDING
2025 LGBTQ+ Community Fund
Built Heritage Investment Scheme 2026
Minister James Browne TD and Minister Christopher O'Sullivan TD have announced the opening of funding schemes for built heritage and historic thatched buildings BHIS2026
Grants are available of up to €50,000 for the conservation and protection of historic buildings, as well as grants of up to €20,000 available under dedicated stream for owners of thatched buildings.
Applications can be made to Cavan Heritage Office, Cavan County Council no later than 26 September 2025.
2. Call Town Twinning 2025 Call Town Twinning 2025 - 17th September
Call for proposals for cities and towns to carry out Town-Twinning projects in order to promote intercultural dialogue by bringing people of different nationalities and different languages together and giving them the opportunity to participate in common activities. Project budgets are expected to range between EUR 8.455 and EUR 50.745 per project.
This is a call for proposals for EU action grants in the field of Citizens’ engagement and participation under the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Value Programme (CERV).
Deadline: 17th September 2025
3. Community Climate Action Fund
Expressions of Interest now welcomed from Community Groups interested in applying for the Community Climate Action Fund.
This fund is expected to open in the coming months. Community groups must book their clinic times in advance, please make contact with our Community Climate Action Officer, Tara Smith by emailing tarasmith@cavancoco.ie.
Information Clinics are scheduled throughout August in the following libraries:
-Wednesday 27th August - Virginia Library, Main Street, Virginia Community Climate Action Fund 2025 - Cavan County Council
4. Cavan Sports Partnership Funding
I hope you are all keeping well. I am just emailing to remind you of the Cavan Sports Partnership S4E fund which is currently accepting applications. Please note that the deadline to submit applications is 5pm on Thursday 21st of August. Please see the information below and the document attached.
Cavan Sports Partnership is now accepting applications for the Sport4Empowerment Fund. This initiative is designed to support organisations working with any of the four key target groups outlined below. It aims to promote social inclusion and engagement through sport and physical activity.
Eligible Applicants: Services, community groups, agencies currently working with one of the four target groups within Cavan.
Target groups:
· Youth at risk
· Ethnic minorities
· Persons from disadvantaged backgrounds
· Persons with disabilities
Funding information:
Aim: The Sport4empowerment programme aims to utilise physical activity to develop a society that fosters social inclusion and empowers people to reach their full potential.
Max Grant available: €1000 (8 week activity programme or 8 activities over a number of weeks)
Minimum grant available: €500 (4 week activity programme or 4 activities over a number of weeks)
Deadline for applications: All applications must be submitted before 5pm on Thursday 21st of August.
Sport4empowerment funding requirements:
Funding Application: All applicants are required to complete the CSP Sport4Empowerment funding application form before 5pm, Thursday, 21st of August.
Customer Discovery Session: An in-person session must be arranged between the target group and our ESF Officer. This session will take place at a location convenient for the group and will focus on understanding the group’s needs and interests.
Co-Design Workshop: To ensure the activity programme is tailored to the needs of your group, an in-person Co-design workshop must be conducted with our ESF Officer and the participants. The outcomes of this workshop will inform the structure and content of the activity programme. This will also be held at a suitable venue for the group.
Programme Commitment: Applicants are required to provide a 4 or 8 week activity programme for their group. We offer flexibility in how this is structured, groups may choose to run 4 or 8 sessions spread over several weeks, depending on what best suits their needs. The primary objective is to ensure participants remain active and engaged throughout the programme.
Evaluation Requirements: Successful applicants must complete both pre and post programme evaluation forms. These can be submitted anonymously.
Programme Completion Deadline: All activities must be concluded, receipt of expenses submitted and evaluation forms completed before 30th of November 2025.
Payment: Successful applicants will receive 50% of their funding upon completion of their co-design workshop. The remaining 50% will be released once all expense receipts have been submitted, evaluation forms completed, and the programme has concluded.
Promotional Plan: Applicants must provide a promotional plan outlining how they intend to promote their activity programme. Please provide information such as how many social media posts you plan to upload, what content you will be capturing and what outlets you will be using. This can be submitted through the CSP Sport4empowerment funding application.
Consent for Promotion: Applicants must consent to the promotion of their programme via Cavan Sports Partnership’s website and social media platforms. The preferences of individuals who do not wish to appear in photographs will be fully respected.
Application form: https://forms.office.com/e/jYQNYCHsed
I have attached a PDF document outlining the funding requirements in more detail. We hope you will consider applying for this opportunity. Should you have any questions or require further details, please feel free to contact me.
Kind Regards,
Ryan Gaffney
ESF+ Social Innovation in Sport Officer | Cavan Sports Partnership
5. Ireland Against Racism Fund
Ireland Against Racism Fund
Strategic Funding supports key arts organisations, ensuring their sustainability and capacity to deliver high-quality arts experiences. It focuses on the delivery of excellent artwork, services, events and activities that provide more people with the opportunity to enjoy high quality arts experiences.
Deadline: 27 August
Find out more here
6. Arts & Disability Connect Scheme
The Arts and Disability Connect scheme is designed to support artists with disabilities to be ambitious, to develop their practice and to connect with arts organisations and arts professionals in the Republic of Ireland.
Deadline: 7 October
7. Disability in Marginalised Groups & Communities
The National Disability Authority (NDA) is inviting proposals for our Research Promotion Scheme (RPS) 2025-26 from researchers, academic institutions, advocacy organisations, Disabled Persons Organisations, service providers or other relevant bodies.
The RPS 2025-26 theme is Disability in Marginalised Groups and Communities with particular interest in proposals focused on disability issues in Traveller and/or Roma communities.
We anticipate awarding up to three grants and are open to individual grant applications for varying amounts between €15,000 and €40,000 with the total funding available not exceeding €80,000.
Applications are required to demonstrate meaningful involvement of disabled people in the research process as appropriate to the design of the study.
8- ACORNS Programme Application
I hope you are keeping well.
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine have asked us to share the following information in relation to a new call for applications to the ACORNS programme.
ACORNS is a highly successful peer support initiative, supported by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. It is focused on early-stage female entrepreneurs living in rural Ireland.
ACORNS is now open for applications until midnight on Monday, September 22nd 2025. We would appreciate if you could alert the relevant members of your wider network, so that they are aware of the opportunity and in turn can spread the word.
For eligibility criteria, please see below:
· To be considered for ACORNS 11, applicants must (i) have set up a new business (sales generated no earlier than the end of June 2022), or (ii) be actively planning a new venture and have made good progress towards getting the new venture off the ground. Indicators of actively planning a business would include organising the start-up team, sourcing equipment / facilities, money saved for the start-up, writing the business plan, etc.
They must own or part-own the business which must be located in a rural area, that is in an area outside the administrative city boundaries of Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford.
If selected, applicants must be available to attend the launch Forum and first round table session on October 20th and 21st, 2025.
They must expect to become an employer within three years.
· There is no restriction on sectors.
· The deadline for application for this year’s ACORNS programme is midnight on Monday, September 22nd 2025.
Interested female entrepreneurs can access information and should register their interest at www.acorns.ie to receive an application form.
9- LIS Scheme News Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, has today, (Thursday, 7th August) announced a further €14 million investment in our rural roads and laneways.
The allocation represents a significant increase to the 2025 funding available under the Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) – bringing the overall investment to a record €30 million for the year.
The Local Improvement Scheme is designed to support the continued improvement of non-public roads in rural communities and improves access to rural homes and farms, as well as outdoor amenities such as our lakes, rivers, mountains and beaches.
These roads and laneways are not normally maintained by locally authorities, however they represent a vital piece of infrastructure for rural residents.
The allocation of additional funding comes following engagement between the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht and local authorities.
The county allocations are based on the level of works that each local authority indicated they could complete before the end of the year and represent the Minister’s commitment to increasing funding for our rural roads.
The LIS scheme was re-introduced in 2017 and to date, over 20,000 landowners and rural residents have benefitted, with over 4,800 roads upgraded under the Scheme.
10- National Heritage Keepers Programme
Dear PPNs,
I am emailing you to let you know our new round of the National Heritage Keepers Programme under the Environmental NGO Burrenbeo Trust is open for applications! This programme is a great opportunity any community group across the country to celebrate their local heritage.
The programme consists of 5 short online workshops, followed by a €1000 grant for the group to carry out an action (and optional fieldtrip) for any aspect of local heritage, for more information on the programme visit www.heritagekeepers.ie/ Insta: @heritagekeepers/ FB: Heritage Keepers.
Attached is a poster for our new round, I would appreciate if you could share it via email or social media, and to send this information around to any relevant group in your area that you think would be interested in taking part!
Please don't hesitate to get in touch with me via email if you have any further questions about our programme.
Thank you and all the best,
Ailbhe
-----
Ailbhe Doyle
Programme Support Officer
Burrenbeo Trust
Glebe Road, Kinvara, Co. Galway 091 638096.
Office Hours: 8:30am-4:30pm Monday to Thursday.
SUPPORT our work in the Burren by becoming a member! Sign up by clicking hereds
TRAINING
11- Sports Partnership Courses
Sports First Aid course is aimed at anyone involved with any Sports team whether you are a coach, player or parent. This course will give particular attention to applying information to sport specific scenarios and incorporates real life situations on a pitch.
On completion of the Sports First Aid course participants will have the skills to:
An understanding of the principles of first response.
The skills to provide necessary first aid until the arrival of qualified medical personnel.
Necessary skills with dealing with emergencies.
Essential life saving skills
All participants who pass the course successfully receive a certificate.
Date: Saturday, September 13th 2025
Time: 9:30am - 3:30pm
Location: Council Chamber, Cavan Courthouse
Cost: €20pp
Booking link: Sports First Aid Course - Cavan Sports Partnership
Safeguarding 1 - Code of Ethics Basic Awareness/Child Protection Workshop
This online workshop is for the benefit of everyone involved in children's sport (children, parents/guardians, sports leaders', etc). It provides introductory information on codes of conduct, bullying, recruitment, etc. as well as child protection guidelines.
By following the principles, policy and practical guidelines contained in the Code, sports leaders are playing their part in providing a safe and enjoyable environment in which children can learn and thrive.
Date: Monday, September 8th 2025
Time: 6:30pm - 9:30pm
Location: Bridge Street Centre, Cavan Town, H12 TK27
Cost: €15pp
We are delighted to offer this FREE four-part workshop series to support local clubs in strengthening governance, improving strategic planning and accessing funding opportunities.
Two sessions will be in person, and two will be online. Each participating club is required to attend all four workshops. We ask that a minimum of two representatives from each club participate - 1 ticket covers both people.
This is a 4 week workshop and topics include:
Funding Application Support
Action Planning
Club/Community Consultation
Governance
Dates: Wednesday September 17th & Wednesday October 29th - Cavan Town in person (venue TBC)
Wednesday October 1st & Wednesday October 15th - Online
Time: 7pm
Cost: FREE (pre-registration is essential)
Booking link: Free Club Development and Capacity Building Workshops
For these and a WHOLE LOT MORE go to wwwcavansportspartnership.ie
12-Healthy Food Made Easy
13- Free Community Training For CavanPPN members
Cavan PPN continues to have a number of training courses available to our member groups. These are
provided by The Wheel and are available FREE OF CHARGE for member groups.
All the courses are online and places are available for a limited number of attendees.
Please click on the links below for more information:
Finance for Non-Financial Managers
Empowering Communities, Protecting Lives: Safeguarding Training for Adults at Risk in your
Community
Growing Your Community Fundraising
A-Z of Data Protection – Becoming & Remaining Compliant with GDPR
(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 click here.
We also have a number of courses provided by The Carmichael Centre. These are also available FREE OF
CHARGE for member groups.
All the courses are online and self-paced (with a period of access to each course).
We have a number of places on offer for the following courses.
The Role of the Chairperson
How to Take Meeting Minutes
The Role of the Treasurer
Financial Management for Non-Profits
Risk Management
(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 here.
14- Bereavement & Grief Training Course
Applications Open: Arts & Culture — Bereavement & Grief Training Course
Irish Hospice Foundation is delighted to announce applications are now open for our Arts and Culture — Bereavement and Grief training course commencing October 2025. This part-time blended course, running over two full weekends and four mid-week evenings, explores the many roles of arts and culture in contemporary dying, grief, and bereavement.
Irish Hospice Foundation developed the Arts and Culture – Bereavement and Grief course in association with staff from Helium Arts, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RSCI), LauraLynn Children’s Hospice, St Francis Hospice, Irish Association of Creative Arts Therapists (ICAT), SoloSirens, and Réalta (the national arts and health development agency). It is designed to raise awareness and understanding, while providing an introduction to basic skills.
Who is this course suitable for?
Applications are invited from professionals and volunteers in the arts, culture, or health sectors who support, or are interested in supporting, people of all ages experiencing dying, death, grief, and loss. We seek a diverse range of expertise and experience as this enriches the learning experience for all.
Our last course attracted practitioners and researchers involved in oncology, perinatal loss, psychology, primary schools, social work, and acute hospital management, along with creatives involved in dance, music, movement, and literature.
Places are limited to 14 people to facilitate experience, exploration and discussion. The course fee is €500. Given the level of interest and number of applicants, selection is competitive.
“There was space to learn, to converse, and to consider the many points of view that arise for artists, care workers, families of those near end of life or experiencing grief. The sessions were open enough to allow opinion and to get to know one another, and structured enough to feel complete and walk away with new knowledge and understanding.” - Past course participant
Learn More and Apply
Applications are now open for the course running 25th October to 9th November 2025.
The application deadline is 17th September 2025 at 5:00pm. Notification of places will be on or before 26th September 2025.
To learn more about the course and to apply, visit the course webpage: Training Course: Arts and Culture – Bereavement and Grief.
Questions?
If you have a query regarding the Arts and Culture – Bereavement and Grief training course, please email: arts@hospicefoundation.ie.
15- Youth Environmental Awareness Workshops
16 - Transformative Leadership Programme
Real leadership is all about change - about possessing the right array of skills, abilities and knowledge to be able to bend the arc of history towards justice. The Transformative Leadership Applied Practice Programme will strengthen and deepen your capacity and ambition as a leader in the Irish community and voluntary sector.
Brought to you by The Wheel, the Transformative Leadership Programme will provide you with a Level 8 accreditation from Maynooth University.
How is it designed?
Consisting of four core modules, the programme will focus on:
Module 1: Personal Leadership Model Building - The first module focuses on enhancing effective leadership through a combination of personal and shared reflection, as well as practical skills development, theoretical inputs and group practice.
Module 2: Understanding and Leading Change - This module examines the complexities of advocating and leading change, including internal communications, fostering leadership in others and working with frameworks for change to develop a personal vision for leadership.
Module 3: Systems Change – Working Creatively with Complexity - the third module provides a model for understanding organisational culture and how it relates to leadership, working creatively with conflict, exploring complexity theory and its relevance to leading systemic change.
Module 4: Building Strategic Alliances - The final module widens the learning to include skills development in collaborative working, working with power dynamics, as well developing a personal leadership plan and network for the future.
How is it Structured?
The course will be held in person in Sophia Wisdom Centre, 25 Cork Street, Dublin 8.
Orientation Day: 20 November 2025
Module 1: 14/15/16 January 2026
Module 2: 25/26/27 February 2026
Module 3: 25/26/27 March 2026
Module 4: 6/7/8 May 2026
What is the investment?
The cost of this programme is €1,650 for members of The Wheel (non-members pay €1,950).
Two Bursaries Available
As part of The Wheel’s ongoing and actionable commitment to diversity and inclusion, we are endeavouring to provide bursaries for affiliated offerings where possible. The bursaries are intended to support individuals from traditionally marginalised backgrounds and will be awarded to candidates who would otherwise find the course fee a barrier to participation.
We have two bursary places available for successful applicants that will cover the full cost of the fee for the 2024-25 Transformative Leadership Course. Please email Ciara.Power@wheel.ie for the application process.
How do I apply?
All applications must be in by 9am Monday, 29 September 2025 to enable the co-ordination of the one-to-one coaching sessions prior to the programme commencing on 20 November 2025. You can download your application form here.
How do I get more details?
This is just a snapshot of the course, for full programme details, please visit our website.
If you have any queries, please contact Ciara at ciarapower@wheel.ie.
SURVEYS/CONSULTATIONS
17- National Obesity Public Consultation
The Minister for Public Health, Well Being and the National Drugs Strategy, Jennifer Murnane O'Connor has today launched a public consultation to inform the development of Ireland’s next Obesity Policy and Action Plan.
This consultation invites individuals, communities, healthcare professionals, and organisations to share their insights, experiences, and recommendations in shaping a new, inclusive strategy to tackle obesity. All submissions will be reviewed and compiled into a report, that will guide the drafting of the new strategy.
Minister Murnane O’Connor, said:
“Obesity is one of the most pressing public health challenges facing Ireland today, with over half of our adult population affected by overweight or obesity. This is not just a personal health issue—it’s a national concern that impacts our healthcare system, our communities, and our future.
“Thanks to the current strategy, we’ve made important progress in stabilising obesity rates and implementing key actions, but now we must go further.
“That’s why we’re launching this public consultation—to ensure the next national obesity strategy is informed by the voices of those it will serve. We want to hear from everyone—individuals, families, healthcare professionals, and community organisations. Your input is essential to creating a strategy that is both effective and inclusive.”
Ireland’s leadership in obesity prevention and treatment has been recognised internationally. At the European Congress on Obesity held in Dublin in 2023, the World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe (WHO-Euro) launched its integrated service delivery framework for obesity management, highlighting Ireland’s approach as a core example of success. WHO-Euro commended Ireland’s model of care for offering scalable and effective solutions through coordinated efforts across all levels of the health system—providing valuable lessons for other countries seeking to strengthen their own obesity management frameworks.
The consultation is open until 18 September 2025.
18- Virginia Lakeshore Public Consultation
19- Consult Cavan County Council's Communications
Cavan County Council wants your views on how we communicate with the public. You can help us improve our communications by completing a short online survey. You can access the survey at the following link: Have your say! - Communications Survey - Cavan County Council
20- Ballinagh Traffic Public Consultation – N55 Ballinagh Traffic Relief Scheme
Cavan County Council, in partnership with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), is
progressing the N55 Ballinagh Traffic Relief Scheme, aimed at addressing the
numerous day-to-day operational and safety issues associated with this section of
the N55 national secondary road.
This project represents the final link in a series of upgrades to the N55
between Cavan Town and the Longford border. Sweco Ireland Ltd. has been
appointed as Technical Advisor to investigate, develop, and assess route options for
the scheme.
The project is currently in Phase 2 – Options Selection, which involves identifying
potential route options and assessing environmental and physical constraints within
the study area.
As part of this phase, the public is invited to participate in a consultation process to
help identify any key issues or constraints that may affect the development of the
scheme. All feedback will be considered as part of the Options Selection process.
Submissions or observations can be made until 30 September 2025 by:
Email: info@sweco.ie
Post: N55 Ballinagh Traffic Relief Scheme
Sweco Ireland Ltd.
Glandore Business Centre,
3rd Floor, City Quarter,
Lapp’s Quay, Cork, T12 Y3ET.
The Study Area Map is shown below and is also available on the Council’s website.
21- Cavan Views on European Union Sought
EVENTS & OTHER NEWS
22- Cavan Outdoor Cinema
23- Tidy Towns Appreciation Day
24- Embrace FARM Supports
I wanted to reach out to you as an introduction to offer the support services of Embrace FARM to any of your members from the farming community whom you feel we could help.
We provide emotional and practical support to farm families in the aftermath affected by serious injury where the person’s life was altered whether physically or mentally/cognitively, and sudden death which includes death by suicide, sudden terminal illness, sudden medical events and farming accidents.
If we can be of any help to you or the communities you support, please do not hesitate to get in touch. All other details can be found on our website—www.embracefarm.com.
25- Leargas Annual Flagship Event
Our annual flagship cross-sectoral event, The Gathering is taking place online on Thursday 9th October 2025.
Register now to join us for a morning filled with insights into Erasmus+, the European Solidarity Corps, and other EU initiatives.
On the day, you can expect to hear inspiring project stories, expert insights, and practical advice from Léargas staff and beneficiaries to help you take your next steps into European opportunities
26-Courageous Men of Cavan
Are you a job seeker, school leaver, and career changer?
Join us at Your Next Steps: Career Guidance and Jobs Fair on 3rd September!
Join us from 4-7pm at the Cavan Crystal Hotel to see all the amazing opportunities available at our free careers event! Whether you're exploring apprenticeships, Post-Leaving Cert./ PLC courses, volunteering, jobs, or vocational training, this event will help you take the next step with confidence.
What to Expect
Inspiring talks from education providers, including Cavan Institute.
Networking opportunities to connect with local employers, including apprenticeship employers.
Career support from the CMETB Adult Guidance and Information Service.
Grab your FREE ticket by registering on Eventbrite:
27- Your Community Needs Your Driving Skills...Become A Volunteer Driver
Cavan County Local Development are seeking volunteer drivers to support the community members of our county. They are seeking to develop a panel of drivers to support getting people to their crucial destinations, deliver essential drop offs of supports and information. The wider a panel we have, the less demand there will be on each volunteer driver. Your costs will be covered and our vehicles' insurance covers the journeys to be made, making volunteering easier for all.
Cavan County Local Development have this amazing resource to support those in need in our community to reach their crucial appointments but would love to have this supported by experienced, friendly drivers whose community spirit can help those in need.
For more information please reach out to info@ccld.ie or phone 049 433 1029 before the end of August.
28- Eco Arts & Culture For All
Eco Arts & Culture for All is a vibrant, inclusive initiative that celebrates creativity, diversity, and sustainability in County Cavan and beyond. Whether you're a painter, poet, performer, or digital creator, this platform is designed to uplift and support artists from all walks of life—especially those whose voices are often underrepresented.
More details here: Eco Arts & Culture for All
29- Cavan County Council Estate Awards Event
30- Killykeen Heritage Tour
31- Cavan Leisure Centre Celebrates 30 Years
32- SICAP "In Our Words" Event
You are invited to join us at our SICAP “In Our Words” Event – an inspiring showcase of community led Social Inclusion projects and initiatives supported by the
Government of Ireland, European Union and the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, and shared through the voices of those with lived experience.
Date: Thursday 2nd October 2025
Location: Radisson Blu Hotel, Athlone
Time: 10:00 – 16:00, registration opens at 09:00
This event aims to create a shared sense of purpose among stakeholders and open the door to meaningful collaboration to improve social inclusion and community initiatives.
We promise a dynamic event focused on lived experience, innovative initiatives, and collaborative approaches to building more inclusive communities.
Please note numbers are limited (maximum of two per organisation).
Register as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
A waiting list will be in operation when capacity at the venue is reached.
Please email any queries in relation to the event to: drcd_events@drcdg.gov.ie
We hope you are able to join us!
33- Virginia Men's Shed Beard Cutting Fundraiser
34- CavanPPN Seeks 3 Members For Cross Border Event
35- Multi-Award Winning Storyteller Coming To Cavan
36- Loop of the Lakes
Hello everyone we are back with this years Loop the Lakes... so saved the date......
SATURDAY THE 30TH OF AUGUST 2025...
online registration will be up and running soon so keep an eye on our page for updates.
All Proceeds in aid of SOSAD Ireland, Focus Resource Centre and C.A.P.S
37- Older Persons Social Group Event
I hope this email finds you well.
Cavan County Local Development & Monaghan Integrated Development would like to invite you to our annual older persons social group event. We want to acknowledge the vital role that the groups play in enriching the lives of older people right across Co. Cavan and Co. Monaghan. It is because of volunteers and community groups that older people are in a position to take an active role in their community and furthermore enable them to remain independent and living in their own homes for longer.
An informal event taking place in the Errigal Hotel, Cootehill, Co. Cavan on Wednesday the 1st of October 2025.
If interested in having an information stand at our event, please let me know by return email to myself jmccabe@ccld.ie. Setup from 9am and the event will finish by 1pm.
Thank you.
38- UNmasking Nature, Neurodivergence & Nature in West Cavan
Unmasking Nature is a free, guided sensory walk through the ancient landscape of Cavan Burren Park, thoughtfully designed with neurodivergent participants from Cavan, Fermanagh and Omagh region. Along the path, nature reveals itself through touch, sound, scent, and movement, supporting sensory regulation while inviting participants to connect with biodiversity through immersive deep-dive stations exploring nature and neurodivergent perspectives.
When: Wednesday, 10th September 2025. Arrive at 5:30pm, event starts at 6pm.
Where:Cavan Burren Park, Blacklion, Co. Cavan, Cuilcagh Lakelands Geopark
Book your free place at the following link:
Thanks so much, I'll also share our Press Release and Images folder here:
Any questions at all, just shoot me a message!
Best,
Laura
Laura O'Keeffe (she/her)
Communications Manager
39- Suicide & Self Harm Content on Social Media Platforms
Suicide and self-harm content on social media platforms
Tips and tools for safe and sensitive communication
on Wednesday 10th September 2025 from 10 – 11 am
Learn more about responding to social media coverage on self-harm, suicidal behaviour and suspected suicide. These tips and tools have been developed to raise awareness and offer practical advice on safe and sensitive communication online to:
· Professionals working in statutory, voluntary and community services, in particular, in the mental health area.
· Volunteers, parents, carers or those with an interest in learning more.
to register click the following link:
(registration in advance is essential and is open until 8th of September 2025!)
Details are also attached details on upcoming free suicide prevention awareness training – including the links to register for a place.
Please feel free to share this information across your networks and communities.
Also a reminder that September is Green Ribbon month – you can order a supply of green ribbons here: https://www.shine.ie/advocacy/green-ribbon-campaign
40- Drumming for Communities & Mental Wellness
My name is Aidan, and I facilitate group drumming workshops with a special focus on promoting health and well-being. With 25 years’ experience in the music industry, I have seen the therapeutic potential of rhythm and community connection, which is why I’d like to offer your group the opportunity to experience the benefits of drumming in a supportive, inclusive environment.
Drum circles have been shown to have a profound positive impact on mental health by reducing stress, improving mood, and enhancing emotional resilience. In these sessions, participants are invited to engage in a simple, accessible way to reconnect with themselves and others, allowing for a sense of grounding, creativity, and joy. The power of shared rhythm fosters unity, which can be especially helpful for individuals navigating mental health challenges.
In terms of staff team building, drumming is particularly suited.
Team Drumming :
Enhances collaboration and communication - essential qualities for a productive and effective team. Members while drumming need to listen to each other, follow a beat and synchronise their actions.
2. Can reduce stress and boost morale.
3. Can enhance creativity and problem-solving skills; can encourage creativity and innovation among team members.
4. Can improve focus and concentration, which helps enhance cognitive function and productivity.
5. Promotes diversity and inclusion.
6. Is a fun and engaging activity, a break from routine, provides an opportunity for connection, building trust and improving communication and morale in a relaxed and enjoyable setting.
I would welcome collaboration with your group by offering a group drumming session designed to support mental/emotional well-being and team building. Whether it's through a one-time event or an ongoing partnership, I’m happy to tailor the experience to best meet the needs of your participants.
If this resonates with your organisation’s goals or if you have any questions, I’d be happy to discuss further and coordinate a time that works best.
Thank you for considering this opportunity to support the mental well-being of your community. I look forward to hearing from you.
Warm regards,
Aidan Dunphy..
41- Daniel's Fundraiser for Cavan SOSAD
Support Daniel’s fundraiser for SOSAD as he walks the harsh interior of Spain for 300 kilometres in 13 days in late September/early October, the equivalent of Sligo to Cork. In late September Daniel will put on his boots and backpack and walk the Camino De La Plata from Seville in southern Spain north to Caceres, a distance of 301 kilometres and he’s asking you to support SOSAD as he walks this path in their aid. The De La Plata is renowned as the hardest Camino for its long, isolated stretches across deserted terrain in reflection of the hard isolation felt by those in need of SOSAD’s supports.
Building on his previous charity hikes in Greenland, Svalbard, North Spain and elsewhere Daniel will be undertaking this in reflection of his own past challenges with suicide and for the raising of valuable funds for a local charity that does so much for those in need.
Support Daniel and his footsteps across Spain now by donating today.
All of his expedition is financed by himself, all funds go directly to the local SOSAD charity.
42- The Nature Restoration Law
What is the Nature Restoration Law and how will it apply to Ireland?
The Nature Restoration Law (NRL) was enacted across the EU in July 2024 with the goal of restoring degraded eco-systems. Ireland is now in the process of figuring out how to apply the new law.
Join us to hear from Fintan Kelly, Agriculture and Land Use Policy and Advocacy Officer at the Irish Environmental Network. Fintan has been working closely on the NRL over the past few years and has great insight into what stage it is at here in Ireland and where it is going.
He will introduce the NRL, explaining what it is, what the timelines are and how the Irish Government plan to engage with stakeholders. This webinar will be a perfect introduction to the law and the current plans in Ireland.
This webinar will be recorded, but we would encourage you to attend on the night to take full advantage of the opportunity to ask Fintan any questions about the NRL that you have.
43- Building Resilient Futures Through Local Government
Good afternoon, I am writing to bring to your attention a Healthy Ireland Local Government Conference “Building Resilient Futures through Local Government" on Thursday 11th September and Friday 12th September 2025 at the SETU Arena, Waterford. This is a national 2-day event solely for local government staff across the 31 Local Authorities and tackles issues such as community resilience, siloed working and place-based working to help improve community wellbeing outcomes.
The conference brings together local government leaders, planners, and all staff who impact on the determinants of health and wellbeing and will see inputs from International experts in resilience practice, place based working and spatial planning approaches for wellbeing. The event will also provide opportunity for using tools for transformation like the Place Standard Tool and the Healthy Ireland Data Portal which will both be launched at the event. The afternoon session of Day 1 will accommodate scenario based workshops to help with approaches towards resilience in communities and preparedness as well as using data to inform decision making and Day 2 is focused on training and an introduction to the Irish version of the Place Standard tool.
I would appreciate if you could circulate this information to your team colleagues and local authority staff with a direct and indirect remit on your programmes across the 31 Local Authorities. Please see below the link for registration through Eventbrite and for more details on the Conference programme.
Register Now
44- Walk For Ollie
Muscular Dystrophy Ireland (MDI) members, Paddy & Claire Hickey, are planning to walk over 200km from Letterkenny, County Donegal to their home town of Enfield, County Meath this September to raise awareness about the neuromuscular condition, Bethlem myopathy, and raise funds for MDI. The walk is inspired by Paddy & Claire’s son Ollie, who was given the diagnosis of a muscular dystrophy called Bethlem myopathy when he was four years old. Bethlem myopathy is a rare condition affecting the skeletal muscles and connective tissue. The whole idea for the fundraiser was driven by Ollie – first and foremost to raise awareness about the condition and secondly to raise funds for Muscular Dystrophy Ireland. By the end of this year’s walk, the group will have covered over 600km across Ireland to raise awareness of muscular dystrophies and raise monies for Muscular Dystrophy Ireland.
Ollie was four when he was given the diagnosis of Bethlem myopathy, a rare condition affecting the skeletal muscles and connective tissue. Despite his condition, Ollie leads a full life. He loves music and is a keen drummer, guitarist and member of his local music academy, Blast.In December 2024, Ollie appeared on The Late Late Toy Show where he performed and launched the Toy Show Appeal with host Patrick Kielty.
The Walk4Ollie is now in its third year. In 2023, the team walked from Castlebar to Enfield, and last year they walked from Dungarvan. To date, Walk4Ollie has raised over €85,000 for MDI. These monies contribute towards The Ollie Hickey Fund, which MDI members can apply to in order to support their personal circumstances, such as education, the arts and general well-being. So far in 2025, the fund has contributed to supportive therapies, accessible holiday breaks, nutritional & dietetic support in partnership with Siel Bleu Ireland, physical training, hydrotherapy and swimming sessions and they’ve even purchased accessible season tickets for MDI members for the Irish national football team at the Aviva Stadium. The goal of this year’s walk is to raise monies in order to bring the fund above the €100,000 mark.
Muscular Dystrophy Ireland envisions an Ireland where people living with a neuromuscular condition can participate fully in society and reach their full potential. To achieve this, they provide services, support and information to people living with neuromuscular conditions and their families. They also advocate for our members, ensuring their needs are met, and facilitate research that drives greater insight and knowledge into neuromuscular conditions. Commenting on this year’s Walk4Ollie, CEO of Muscular Dystrophy Ireland Alan Breathnach said: ‘We are incredibly grateful to the Hickey family for their support through Walk4Ollie, which we are delighted to see return for the third year in a row. Walk4Ollie has raised significant funds for our members, allowing them to access services and supports that greatly improve their quality of life, which is a critical priority for MDI.’
This year’s walk will start from Letterkenny on Monday 22nd September and will finish in Enfield on the 27th, where the first ever Rock4Ollie concert will take place in The Bridge House in partnership with Blast Music Academy, where Ollie is a member. In order to make the walk as accessible to all who would like to join, some of the the walk will be along the Lakelands to Boyne Valley Greenway.
The schedule & route is as follows:
Monday 22nd September - Letterkenny to Strabane
Tuesday 23rd – Strabane to Dungannon
Wednesday 24th – Strabane to Roosky
Thursday 25th –Roosky to Carrickmacross
Friday 26th – Carrickmacross to Navan via Lakelands to Boyne Valley Greenway
Saturday 27th - Navan to Enfield
For information on the walk, visit the Instagram page: walk4ollie
For information on Muscular Dystrophy Ireland: https://www.mdi.ie/
For information on The Ollie Hickey Fund: https://www.mdi.ie/ollie-impact-home
About Bethlem myopathy
Ollie has a muscular dystrophy called Bethlem myopathy, which is a rare condition affecting the skeletal muscles and connective tissue. You can read more about Bethlem myopathy here Bethlem myopathy - Overview | Muscular Dystrophy UK. Right now, there is no cure for Bethlem myopathy but there are ways of helping to alleviate the effects of the condition. Research into muscular dystrophies like Bethlem myopathy is nevertheless developing and it is likely that clinical trials will start in the not-too-distant future.
About Muscular Dystrophy Ireland
Muscular Dystrophy Ireland (MDI) is a not-for-profit, voluntary organisation supporting
people with neuromuscular conditions and their families. It encompasses over sixty rare and very rare muscle-weakening and muscle-wasting conditions, many of which are genetic and progressive. MDI aims to support people with neuromuscular conditions to fully participate in society and reach their full potential.
--
You can donate to this year's walk at https://www.idonate.ie/walk4ollie25
45- An evening of song & poetry
Comments