Cavan Arts Festival's second edition kicks off today in Con Smith Park
The place to be this weekend is Con Smith Park as a weekend of festivities opens with a 'Meet the Artists' session and a musical park walk through the open air gallery from 7pm.
There will be over 25 visual, sound and sculpture artists creating bespoke pieces for the festival that is returning fr its second incarnation. Minister for Children and Youth Katherine Zappone will be on hand to performer the official opening ceremony at 7pm.
Coordinator Kim McCaffrey said the Minister will be on hand for what is a “wonderful night of free entertainment”. Ms McCaffrey said: “Everyone is welcome along. It is totally weatherproof and there is entertainment for everyone.”
After the opening ceremony from 8pm, the Big Top Tent will see and hear from Stephen Murphy, All Ireland Slam Poetry Champion, the Gowna funny man Kevin Mc Gahern, with rock musician Josh McClorey rounding off the night.
Saturday morning lifts off from 10am and a very exciting specialist stage by performers and artists from the Cavan Multicultural Society. Congolese Dance performances, Polish theatre, Latvian Dance, Book Readings from Philippino Author Vanda Brady, Bollywood dance are all par the course; while ageing ravers have the chance to relive those heady days with a much lighter banging baby rave starting at 11am.
The festival caters for all, with delicious festival fayre served up at the cafe in the woods, and available all weekend.
All day Saturday also visitors can learn to walk the tight wire with the Galway Community Circus! Beginner friendly, and free, there's no need for participants to sign up beforehand.
Sunday finally will launch with an Irish language afternoon from 1pm with puppet shows from Irish puppeteers who's creations have been brought to life by Disney, Universal and Pokemon! Dánta Dána (rude rhymes) is a high energy theatre piece for younger audiences, and all followed with award winning piper and poet duo Catriona Ni Chleircin and Tiarnan O Duinnchinn.
All of the festival's Sunday afternoon programme is bilingual and hosted by the star musician of Kíla fame, Rossa Ó Snodaigh.
Cavan's cultural legacy will it the silver screen from 5pm in the festival's specially created Cavan Mini Cinema, with a very special one off screening of 'Mulligans Millions', an amateur feature length film made in Cavan in the mid sixties by local priest Father Turlock O’Reilly. Shot on nostalgic 8mm, the film features much of Cavan town and stars local man Mel Doherty in the title role. The plot circles around the hilarious transformation of local man Mulligan after he finds a million pounds stashed away by a fleeing British army officer.
A hidden gem in Cavan's cultural heritage, the film contains gunfights, car chases, Buster Keaton-style slapstick, and many scenes set in an unrecognisable Cavan town to today.
All events are free, but come early to secure seats. Attendees are also encouraged to bring picnic blankets, sunscreen, and as many friends as possible for what truly promises to be an epic weekend at Cavan Arts Festival 2019.