Ballyconnell - town to be ‘proud’ of

Community gears up for annual summer festival

Make no mistake, Ballyconnell is a town on the up. A growing population, steady industry and high employment, scenic walks and the Shannon-Erne Waterway, understandably its people are buoyant about what the future holds.

But this thriving energy is perhaps best summed by the fact that this town at the foot of Slieve Rushen will host its third annual Ballyconnell Festival, which takes place over the August Bank Holiday weekend (July 31 to August 3).

The festival has become one of the highlights on Ballyconnell’s cultural calendar says organising committee member, Gail McCoyle.

Last year, despite inclement weather, the multi-day event featured performances by country music stars such as Cliona Hagan, The Highstool Prophets, and Ruaile Buaile, drawing large crowds. But most importantly, Gail states, it helped foster a growing sense of community pride.

The 2025 festival will once again showcase a diverse line-up of high-end entertainment, including live music performances, family-friendly activities, and local food vendors.

It begins with the town’s highly contested annual pub quiz on the Thursday night, July 31; with the newly reopened town Community Centre hosting a Tea Party on Friday, August 1.

Attendees can sponsor a table of 10, bring their own homemade delectable delights, and be entertained by an afternoon spent with neighbours.

Community centre

In 2022, a dedicated community-wide committee took over the lease of Ballyconnell Community Centre after years of closure; and in 2023 secured a €300,000 grant from the Community Centre Fund, which was used, among other things, to carry out major refurbishments including to the roof.

The revamped centre reopened in January 2025, and in doing so announced a new programme to benefit the community called Grassroots Ballyconnell, funded by the International Fund for Ireland (IFI).

It aims to re-establish the community centre as a central hub by focusing on four key areas - sports, storytelling, entrepreneurship, and traditional music - and from that bring together communities from in and around Ballyconnell.

Gail says its “so important” to have the community centre reopened, with the fundraising that comes from raffle prizes won at the Tea Party going back into community centre’s coffers.

Arlene Brady says the community centre has, for generations, played “such an important” role in the lives of many as a welcoming space where people could gather for events, activities, and support.

“It was a big loss to the town when it was closed, but now that it’s back, we want to make good use of it,” she says.

There is still more work to be done to bring the centre back to its former glory, but Arlene, like others, is confident that will happen. “There is great community spirit around it and there is lots happening in it already. It’s great to see it back in the town again.”

Karen Mitchell says seizing on that “sense of positivity” is crucial.

“We’re proud of our town, and we want people to want to come to Ballyconnell. We want our new communities to be proud of living here too. So the more things we can do collectively for the town, the better it will be for everyone. Its gets people of all ages out and about, encourages interaction, integration, and it builds a stronger community in the area.”

Fair Day

Saturday, August 2, meanwhile will see the town embrace its rural roots with a Traditional Fair Day, filled with family fun, and stalls brimming with handmade crafts and local foods.

There will be a children’s tractor run, a pet show, music from Cavan country star Nigel Livingstone on the street, a Samba band playing outside the soon to be reopened Market House, and even a tour of the local fire station has been organised.

The ever popular Danny Byrne Band will close out proceedings from 9-11pm.

It’s all about putting the bright side out, and showing Ballyconnell in its best light, says local businessman Peter McVitty.

Market House

A former councillor and stalwart in the community scene alongside his wife Susan, he is particularly enthused by the opening of the historic Market House.

Market House has reopened as a Community, Remote Working and Tourism hub.

One of the most significant capital projects in the region, regeneration scheme is now nearing completion having received over €1.2M under the Rural Regeneration Development Fund (RRDF), with a further investment of €133,416 provided by Cavan County Council in match funding.

The hope now is that the renovated property can act as a catalyst for the economic and community regeneration across the west Cavan border region.

The investment has seen a once derelict town core building transformed, with an extension to the rear to cater for toilets, and a two-storey lift added to provide universal access throughout.

“Ballyconnell has a lot to offer,” says Peter, praising the work being done on both the Market House and the Community Centre. “They’re two massive projects for the town. Hopefully the Market House will be open before the end of July. There is a lot of interest in it already.”

Community space

The local authority is currently seeking Part 8 planning approval after €243,145 in funding was obtained from the Department of Rural and Community Development under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme to purchase a disused detached two-storey house with outbuildings and a garden to the rear at Preaching House Lane, which will now be utilised as a multi-purpose community space.

This will include a covered outdoor area, demolition of an existing derelict house to facilitate realignment of Preaching House Lane, together with a suite of other works.

Cavan County Council has partnered with Ballyconnell and District Development Association (BDDA) on this project and others.

A number of housing developments are also in the pipeline, which is good news given the 2022 census figures, which showed the population grew by 29% to 1,422 compared to five years previous.

Phases one and two at Black Ridge, a 43-home turnkey development, were acquired by Cavan County Council in late 2023 at a cost of over €9M, and local Sinn Féin councillor, Damien Brady, suggests that Ballyconnell is a town primed for further investment.

Between major transport links and a skilled workforce, not to mention growing demand for housing and commercial space, Cllr Brady: “It’s the making of the town, the amount of employment that goes on here. Any town in Ireland would give their right arm to have what we have out there on the Border road, with 1,000 jobs there alone.”

There is no end of praise either for the summer festival’s main sponsors- Mannok; Crust & Crumb, which recently announced its intention to create 120 new jobs before year end, and Clever Clogs Childcare.

He says its particularly important to see them weigh in with support for the festival.

“We’re absolutely delighted to welcome on board a new sponsor this year in Clever Clogs Childcare. It’s a family festival that we’re running over the course of the weekend, and there’s not a family locally that doesn’t have someone working with one of those, or knows somebody who is. They’re a big presence, but, equally as important are the smaller businesses too, our shops and cafes, the butcher and hairdressers. Without them the festival wouldn’t run either.”

The final day of the festival weekend, Sunday, August 3, will see a free family fun day take place, sponsored by Clever Clogs Childcare at the Eugene O’Reilly Memorial Park, opposite SuperValu.

Paddy Treasy will kickstart the musical entertainment on the street from 5-7pm, followed by Jimmy Buckley (9-11pm).

Niall Crowe credits the work done in bringing the summer festival plan to fruition to a small army of dedicated volunteers.

“It wouldn’t happen without them. Along with the sponsorship that every business brings, or just local people themselves chipping in, every little bit helps.”

Once again there has been no shortage of people willing to unite with shared purpose and embrace the collective effort.

Niall believes these are powerful forces for positive change and can have a lasting impact.

“Even during the Christmas there, people were willing to help out. It’s all brilliant and it brings it all together.”

Terry Curry says it’s fantastic to see so many people visit the town over past festival weekends, regardless of the weather.

“It’s great for the town. And it’s our town. You want to be proud of your own town. You’ll hear the odd person giving out, but you’ll hear that everywhere. But they don’t think, because if they really opened their eyes to it, they’d see there is plenty to be proud of about Ballyconnell.”