Lavey GAA Carnival's a weekend to remember!
All roads lead to Virginia Show Centre this weekend where top Irish country music act Mike Denver and the ever-popular Rhythm and Sticks are set to headline the fourth annual Lavey GAA Summer Carnival.
Organisers have lined up an exciting bill to ensure a packed Virginia Show Centre is hopping on all three nights - Friday to Sunday, June 12 - 14.
Building on a tradition that was the highlight of Lavey’s summer calendar through the decades, this year’s carnival aims to provide an alternative social opportunity for revellers from near and far and raise funds for club activities and developments.
“There’s not as many opportunities to socialise for young people around Cavan as there were back many years ago,” explains chairperson of Lavey GAA, Cecilia Smith.
“We’re delighted to be able to provide an alternative type of entertainment, a weekend with different acts, live music and events in a different environment.”
To add variety to the lineup, DJ Phil Cawley will kick off the weekend’s events with a ‘Back to the 80’s Disco’ on Friday, June 12th from 9.30pm. Back in the Day, the Classic Hits DJ filled the dancefloor at the Carraig Springs along with DJ Bob Conway and the club is delighted to have him on board to spin the decks locally once again.
“Whether you’re a legwarmer fan, whether you like Whitney Houston or Madonna or Rick Astley or Duran Duran, there’ll be a bit of nostalgia for everybody,” Cecilia assures.
Popular folk/trad group One For The Road will kick off Saturday's entertainment from 9pm. Having thrilled at last year’s Summer Carnival, One For The Road guarantee that the atmosphere will be great from the off.
Then it's the turn of country music star Mike Denver.
Affectionately known as 'The Galway Boy', Denver is regarded as one of Ireland's top performers on the Irish country scene.
Recently named Outstanding Country Music Artist of the Year for 2026, country and folk singer Jack Keogh will take to the stage on Sunday from 9pm, and the renowned and hugely popular Cavan five-piece Rhythm & Sticks will follow to close out the weekend.
“All of these very experienced entertainers will give people a good night out,” says Grainne Tierney, PRO of Lavey GAA.
“Country music has been very popular in Ireland for the past 10 years. People will travel to have a good night out and dance.”
Although the club would love to host the carnival on their own grounds, the Irish summer weather isn't dependable enough. Since the relaunch of the carnival, the Virginia Show Centre has served as a wonderful home from home. Easily accessible Cecilia says it has been a “fantastic facility” for the carnival, as shown by revellers coming from all over Cavan and beyond, including Meath, Westmeath, Longford and Louth.
“From our perspective, it broadens the social scene for a lot of people around the county and supports the development of the club, which is to the benefit of Lavey GAA but it’s also to the benefit of every other club that comes along and plays a game against any of our teams,” Cecilia says.
“I sometimes think of football grounds as being like the Phoenix Park of their area,” she continues.
“There’s not a lot of other amenities available. I think the more that can be put into our football grounds to support people, it’s increasing the range of activities available to everybody,” Grainne adds.
“There’s something in it for everybody, whether people are physically engaged in playing football or not, it’s there for all members of the community.”
Through Sports Capital and Clár funding, Lavey GAA recently built new clubrooms, comprising four new dressing rooms with modern facilities, a meeting room and gym.
They have also developed and resurfaced their carpark, are in the process of redeveloping their squash court area into a handball alley, have tarmacadamed their walking path and have a very fine pitch.
The summer carnival is their largest fundraiser, but the club also holds a weekly lotto with a jackpot standing at a whopping €20,000. They also host a weekly bingo night each Thursday at 8pm in Lavey Community Centre.
The committee would finally like to acknowledge “all our volunteers who make this event possible, without community and club support it just couldn’t happen, and it's so essential to keep us going & growing. Lastly and very importantly, we wish to acknowledge our main sponsors who each support an evening, Kiernan Pig Producers Aughafad - Friday, Oliver Tierney Construction - Saturday and ROMAR ENERGY - Sunday, your support and that of our associate sponsors helps bring it all together and make it happen!”