What's on for the weekend
Wondering what to do over the bank holiday weekend? Let us help you out with our bumper what's on guide...
The Festival of the Erne
The festival is in full swing in Belturbet this weekend.
On Friday, July 29, at 2pm, there will be a lunch time talk about life in Belturbet in days gone by with an art exhibition.
At 3pm there will be a children’s treasure hunt; while a skittles competition commences at 5pm at the back of the Townhall, continuing on Saturday at 4pm and Sunday at 7pm. Contact Una on 0871380301.
A children’s dog show will also feature from 7pm at the Oriel Lodge Car Park and the U12 football tournament between the Rories and Drumlane is also at 7pm.
From 10pm, there will be also be traditional music and dancing in Flynn’s Bar,
complimented by a barbecue.
Drama
The Belturbet Dramatic Society presents 'Belturbet Remembers 1916’ in the Civic Centre on Friday, Saturday and Sunday night at 8pm. Tickets available from the Civic Centre.
ladies night out
The annual Ladies night out will take place on Friday night July 29 in the Widows Bar. There will be a fabulous themed evening with cocktails, big band, finger food, best dressed prizes, best Eddie and Patsy lookalikes, photo booth and tarot reading.
Queen of the Erne
To celebrate the 40th annual Festival of the Erne and inject new life into the annual festivities in Belturbet, organisers are this year staging the 'Alternative Queen of the Erne’ for next Saturday, July 30, at 9:30pm.
The sideways take on a beauty pageant, with men in drag vying to be the fairest of them all, is particularly welcome given that this will be the first year for over a quarter of a century in which the Lady of the Erne will not take place.
Traditionally, the competition took place the week before the festival with the newly crowned Lady of the Erne performing the official opening of the festival as her first official duty.
But the Queen of the Erne will now take centre stage in the programme of events.
There will be cash prizes for the best costumes or 'queens’ and music on the Diamond, with bar extensions throughout the town.
Festival committee member Eugene Duffy says they are looking forward to a very successful 40th festival. “The broadly based programme features events to cater for all the family. Everyone should come along and enjoy all various events and hopefully the weather will be good to us,” he said.
Boat trips
Festivities will continue on Saturday, July 30, with boat trips on the Erne between 2pm and 5pm. There will be a magic show in the Civic Centre for children at 3pm.
On Sunday, July 31, at 3pm there will be a large flotilla of boats on the river Erne, as well as music and entertainment and a barbecue.
The winners of the Festival Arts and Crafts competition will be announced at 4.30pm in the festival office in the Civic Centre. Please leave all arts and crafts entries with Peggy Gray or into the Festival Office before Sunday, July 31. Contact Peggy on 087-3155130.
Best kept garden
Organised by Belturbet Tidy Towns sponsored by Fitz Hire and Traynor Environmental, the best kept garden and window display will be judged at 9am on Sunday July 31.
Then at 9pm that evening, the finals of the Pub Quiz will be staged in the Widows Bar.
Family Fun
On the Bank Holiday Monday, August 1, the family fun day is scheduled for Morrissey Park from 2-5pm and there will also be a row boat races at the Town Jetty at 2pm. Contact Barry Fitzpatrick on 087-2867920. The bonny baby competition is arranged for 3pm; while the Belturbet 1st Cavan Scouts are staging a monster barbecue on the river Erne at 3pm.
The festival culminates in the Beat on the Street on the Gig Rig with DJ Brian Gold at 8pm.
Fishing
The International Coarse Angling Competition commences on Monday, July 25, and runs right through until Thursday July 28. The presentation of prizes will take place in the Seven Horse Shoes at 6.30pm and the McGee Memorial Trophy is up for grabs. For details contact Paul Lee on 087-9856602. Meanwhile, the Belturbet Trout Anglers open fly competition will be staged on the Bank Holiday Monday, August 1, with the winner receiving the Reynolds Cup. The entry fee is €10, enquiries to Irwin Morrow 087-7706728.
Foosball
Lastly, the Foosball competition on the Diamond is back by popular demand at 6pm on the Sunday evening, July 31. There will also be bed racing and the annual barmans’ race. All in all a great week’s entertainment is promised.
Glenfarne Gala Festival
Where: Glenfarne
When: Ongoing to August 1, making dance on July 30, 10pm
What: The 47th annual Glenfanre Gala Festival. Matchmaker Willie Daly in the The Rainbow with Glenfarne/Kiltyclogher GAA Buffet Social and Dance on Sunday from 8pm.
Arva 3 Provinces Festival
Where: Arva
When: Wednesday July 27 to Sunday, July 31
What: See Arva news pages 26 and 27
Ballroom Dancing
Where: The Errigal Country House Hotel, Cootehill
When: Wednesday, July 27, with the new SHOW BUD, linked up Breege Kelly and Robert Browne in their first visit to the Errigal. See Cootehill news for more.
Tom Clarke’s One True Love’
Where: Corn Mill Theatre, Carrigallen
When: Saturday, July 30, doors from 8pm
What: The play, written by Killian McGuinness and performed by the Corn Mill Theatre Group, dramatises the life of 1916 signatory Tom Clarke. Booking at (049) 433 9612 or 086 876 5377 between 10am-4pm.
'The Battle of the Somme 1916’
Where: County Museum, Ballyjamesduff
When: Friday, July 29, 7pm
What: Commemoration and launch of 'The Battle of the Somme 1916’. Minister Heather Humphreys will officially launch the installation.
CCÉ 'Come and Try’
Where: Killeshandra
When: Saturday, July 30, 5pm
What: Killeshandra Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Eireann will host a 'Come & Try’ for all musical instruments in Minnie’s; BBQ 7pm. All welcome. Session trail in every pub in Killeshandra, all talents welcome.
Social Dancing
Where: Kilbrackan Arms Hotel, Carrigallen
When: Saturday, July 30, 10pm-12.30am
What: Music by Family Affair. Dancing lessons held every Tuesday night at 7.30pm. All welcome!
Dancing night
Where: Stradone Community Centre
When: Saturday, July 30. Dancing 9.30pm to 12.30am
What: Music by Country Tradition until late.
Keaney/Keany Clan Reunion
Where: The Rainbow, Glenfarne and Ballyconnell
When: Saturday, July 30, 3-5.30pm (in The Rainbow)
What: Visitors from USA, Australia and England will descend on the area to trace family trees, a series of talks, bus tours, dinners and dancing. Tickets from Frank 087 252 0346, Maureen 087 236 68571, Anne 086 848 0409 or Margaret 071 9853057.
Breffni 3 Province Challenge
Where: Arva
When: Saturday, July 30
What: Hugley popular road race with different lengths across the three counties of Cavan, Leitrim and Longford (Ulster, Connacht and Leinster). The group are also looking for volunteers. For information, contact 086 084 8633 or log on to breffni3provincechallenge.com .
Coffee morning
Where: Ballinagh Garda Station
When: Saturday, July 30, 10am-12 midday
What: A coffee morning and cake sale with proceeds in aid of Ballinagh Tidy Towns. All support or donations very much appreciated.
Vintage Tractor Run
Where: Drumlane Bar, Milltown
When: Saturday, July 30, 1pm
What: John Henderson Memorial Run in aid of Killeshandra Day Care Services. All vintage tractors welcome.
Family fun
weekend
Where: Sheemore Inn, Kilclare, Carrick-on-Shannon
When: July 30 and 31, starts at 2pm on Saturday
What: Family fun weekend in aid of St Ciaran’s Services for adults and children with special needs, featuring a 5k walk, refreshments, race night plus auction race, vintage tractor run, BBQ, fancy dress and music.
Cavan Walkers
Where: Sliabh an Iarainn, Leitrim, meet at the Orchard Bar, Cavan
When: Sunday, July 31, 9am
What: A walk on Leitrim’s highest hill. Email cavanwalkers@live.com or check Facebook.
Workhouse tour
Where: Bawnboy Workhouse
When: Sunday, July 31 and Monday August 1, 2-6pm
What: Tours of the workhouse (Admission €5, Students and OAPs €3, Families €10) and a demonstration of woodturning in the old dance hall in the workhouse by Jimmy Devine, on Sunday.
GFC Fundraiser
Where: Piker’s Lodge Hotel
When: Sunday, July 31, 9pm
What: Loch Gowna GFC Strictly Come Dancing fundraiser presents a night of comedy ceol agus craic, featuring local artists. Admission €10.
Retirement do
Where: St Patrick’s Hall, Shercock
When: Sunday, July 31, following 11.30pm mass
What: A gathering to mark the retirement of Marian Dempsey NT with music and refreshments.
Marcella Hall
Memorial Walk
Where: Halton’s amenity park
When: Sunday, July 31, 3pm
What: Fundraising walk with donations going to Cavan Palliative Care and Cootehill Cancer Care.
Belturbet
Dramatic Society
Where: Townhall Civic Centre, Belturbet
When: Sunday, July 29-31, 8pm
What: The players presents 'Belturbet Remembers 1916’. Admission by ticket (€5) only, available in the centre Wednesday, July 27, from 6-8pm.
Barbecue
fundraiser
Where: Fitzsimons Bar, Finea
When: Sunday, July 31, from 4pm
What: The annual barbecue in aid of Castletown Finea Church with great music and lots of raffle prizes to be won. Duck race will be held on the River Inny at 4pm. Lines are for sale in local businesses until Sunday.
Strictly Come Dancing
Where: Piker’s Lodge Hotel, Gowna
When: Sunday, July 31, 9pm (doors at 8.30pm)
What: Michael Kane and Mark McKeever, who are participating in Strictly Come Dancing, present a night of comedy 'Ceol Agus Craic’ with local artists. Admission €10.
Cake sale
Where: Gowna community centre
When: Sunday, July 31
What: Annual cake sale and coffee morning for Gowna Ladies Football Club. Donations of bread, cakes etc on the day much appreciated.
Traditional
sessions
Where: Shortt’s Heritage Bar, Ballinamore
When: Sunday, July 31, 6-9pm
What: Trad session on Sunday and every following Sunday. All welcome.
Celebrating Leitrim
Where: The Bush Hotel, Carrick-on-Shannon
When: Sunday, July 31, commencing with gala dinner at 8pm,
What: Dinner and presentations to Leitrim icons of sport and music. Entertainment by the Percy French Singers. Tickets: €25, available from Tommie Moran 086 858 8031, Jerome McWeeney 087 637 0051, Mary McTiernan 087 297 6226 and Terence Boyle.
Annual Cross Field Day
Where: Cross
When: Monday, August 1, 2pm
What: Field events day, dog show, vintage tractor run, golf, wife and hay carrying and ducking chair among many others. Children are free admission.
The Carnival is coming
Where: Redhills
When: August 2-7
What: Full line-up of events, including 'The Playboys - the untold story’, tea party, family fun and the marquee line-up, see special feature on pages 41-43.