Whats on for the weekend

Still not sure what to do for the weekend, why not check out our 'What's on for the weekend' guide to see if there's anything that floats your boat. Perhaps you're heading to the Gerry Whelan Memorial Weekend in Cootehill or the Rockstar run in Drumalee...

 

Gerry Whelan Memorial Weekend

Where: Cootehill

When: All weekend

What:

Great music, song and craic – what more could you want? You will find all this and a lot more next weekend at the 11th Annual Gerry Whelan Memorial weekend which runs on September 11-13 in Cootehill. And after 10 successful years, the well-established Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann (CCÉ) event now enters a new decade, with an action-packed programme of traditional music, singing and dancing.
The event ensures Cootehill becomes a hive of trad-flavoured activities including concerts featuring some of the very top artists and acts, workshops on various instruments, pub sessions, singing, storytelling and street music to the ever popular Oiche Ceol, Fíor Céili and Folk Club events.
Now firmly established as one of the top features on the Co Cavan annual calendar, the Gerry Whelan event started out in July 2005 with a memorial concert. It subsequently became a weekend-long celebration that has grown from strength to strength each year.
The festival commemorates the late Gerry Whelan, a successful Cootehill-based entrepreneur and lifelong traditional music supporter who was active in the founding of Comhaltas in 1951.

Top attractions
Zoë Conway and John McIntyre headline the Memorial Concert on Friday 11th at 8.30pm. With an exciting blend of eclectic fiddle and guitar music, husband and wife team Zoë and John bring to the stage sympathetic arrangements of traditional Irish music, compositions and songs, drawing from other genres such as classical, jazz and world music. Their recent CD 'Go Mairir I Bhfad’ has attracted international attention and rave reviews. Another act to be sure to see is the Knockmore Céilí Band from Fermanagh, the 2014 All-Ireland Senior Champions, who will plat at the Saturday night concert in Drumlin Theatre, again starting at 8.30pm.
The third show at Drumlin House for this year’s festival will be both a visual and musical spectacular as Cootehill’s own upcoming Irish dancing superstar James Greenan hosts his Riverdance Master Class Performance entitled 'The Evolution of Irish Dance’ — giving local enthusiasts the chance to show their skills after a week’s intensive training from the man himself!
James is a principal male lead dancer with Riverdance and has toured extensively with the show internationally. Born in London, he moved back to Cootehill at the age of 10.
His 'Evolution of Irish Dance’ show at 7.30pm on Sunday will undoubtedly attract a full house as the newly trained locals seek to impress friends and family!
Other talented artists taking part in events over the weekend include All-Ireland U-18 button accordion champion Fergus Bogue from Ballinagh, folk song performers Lorna McColm and Davy Hunter from South West Scotland, traditional music champions the Maguire Family from Fermanagh, the 60-strong Cavan Rugby Club Male Voice Choir and Cavan’s legendary lilter, Seamus Fay.
Special Connemara guests participating in a number of events over the weekend will be 'King of the Melodeon’ Johnny Connolly and pipes and flute specialist Meaítíjo Shéamuis Ó Fátharta.

Music sessions in the time-honoured informal tradition will take place in Kieran Mullen’s, Hannigan’s, Fergus Donaghue’s Gene Bannon’s, Tír na nÓg, Nulty’s and the West End Bar throughout the weekend.

Full details about all artists and events at the Gerry Whelan Memorial Weekend 2015 are to be found on the website and it can also be followed on www.facebook.com/gerrywhelan.weekend. For general enquiries/workshop bookings or concert tickets phone Clare Cunningham at 086 350 2852 or Loreto McMenamin at 087 8586 773.

Fun quiz
Where: Gallonray House, Drumgoon
When: Friday night, September 11
What: Fun table quiz. Quiz in aid of Drumgoon juvenile fund.

Rockstar Run
Where: Drumalee
When: Saturday, September 12, 7am
What: The Richard Keith Rockstar Run: A group run, walk or crawl to amass 16,800kms - the equivalent of Perth to Cavan - in aid of The Kevin Bell Repatriation Fund.

Ériu concert
Where: St. Michael’s Hall, Cootehill
When: Saturday, September 12
What: After their impressive recent showing in Enniskillen’s Ardhowen Theatre, Ériu play the Gerry Whelan Memorial Festival at 8pm.

Fior Ceili
Where: St Michael’s Hall, Cootehill
When: Saturday, September 12, 9.30pm-12.30am.
What: Music by Duntally Ceili Band. Admission: €7/£5. Supper served.

Treasure Hunt
Where: Gallonray House
When: Saturday, September 12, 4pm
What: Maudabawn ICA are running a car treasure hunt on starting at Gallonray House. Last car leaving at 6pm. All proceeds from this event go to Jack and Jill Foundation.

Retirement function
Where: Blacklion Golf Club
When: Saturday, September 12, 8.30pm
What: A bash to mark the retirement of Blacklion postman Tommy McManus. Music by Mountain Fever.

Come & Try
Where: Killeshandra
When: Saturday, September 12, 4-6pm
What: Killeshandra Comhaltas are holding another 'Come & Try’ event on in Minnie’s function room. Monthly session also takes place on Saturday next in Kelly’s, all welcome.

Social Dancing
Where: The Kilbrackan Arms Hotel
When: Saturday, September 12
What: Social dancing from 10pm-12.30am. Music by The Lancers. Dancing lessons every Tuesday at 7.30pm. All are welcome!

Coffee Morning
Where: Bunnoe Community Centre
When: Sunday, September 13
What: There will be a coffee morning and bake sale after 10am Mass in aid of Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin. All donations greatly appreciated.

Knockbride Fun Run
Where: Tunnyduff
When: Sunday, September 13, 1pm
Tunnyduff N.S. Parents Association are organising a 5k fun-run as well as a 10k run. Registration takes place from 11.30am onwards at Tunnyduff Community Hall. Refreshments will be available after the run.

Happy Feet Walkers
Where: Cootehill
When: Sunday, September 13, 10am
What: Happy Feet Autumn walks start Sunday, September 13 at 10am from St. Michael’s Hall, Cootehill; continue every Sunday at 10am and every Wednesday, 7pm. Long and short walks available. Tea and chat after each walk. Everyone welcome and joining is free so why not come along?

Family Fun Day
Where: Our Lady of Lourdes Park, Mullahoran
When: Sunday, September 13
What: To celebrate 25 years of the local Mullahoran St. Joseph’s Hurling Club, the Football Club have joined with them in hosting a Family Fun Day in Our Lady of Lourdes Park. Starting at 3pm there will be a full programme of games, events and children’s activities, something for everyone, do come along and enjoy and support your local clubs.

Charity Cycle CAPS
Where: Starts from Killydoon Hall
When: Sunday, September 13
What: Registration for 80km at 9am and leaving at 10am, registration for 15km at 11am. And leaving at 12am, all cyclists €20.

Fun Day
Where: Gallonray House
When: Sunday, September 13, 2pm
What: Fun for all the family, sideshows, fittest family competition, bouncy castle and much more.

Bridge Club
Where: Cabra Castle Hotel
When: Monday, September 14, 7.30pm
What: Kingscourt Bridge Club will resume. New members welcome.

Bailieborough Garden Group
Where: Fox’s lounge, Bailieborough
When: Monday, September 14, 8pm
What: Bailieborough Garden Group resumes after our summer break with judging of flowers and vegetables grown from seeds distributed in February. Winner will receive the RHS Silver spoon. New members always welcome.

'Pledge of the Metalmen’
Where: Bailieborough Library, Market Square
When: Tuesday, September 15, 11.30am
What: An unveiling of a piece of sculpture commissioned by Barry Linnane at the Library, Market Square. The name of the piece is the 'Pledge of the Metalmen’ which celebrates the history of Bailieborough and in particular Bailieborough Foundry. All welcome and especially former employees of Bailieboro Foundry who would have a great interest in this project.