Pictured at the launch of Cavan Eco Féile, Cavan’s new flagship sustainability and innovation festival, which takes place in Cavan Town from October 23-25, are: Front (from left) Sharon Howe, Creative Communities Engagement Officer; Paddy Connaughton, Director of Service; Cathaoirleach, Cllr Carmel Brady and Caroline Brady, Town Regeneration Officer; back, Karina Charles-Lynch, Arts Officer; Allison Cullen, Town Regeneration Office; Danielle McDermott; Martina O’Neill, Climate Action Officer; Eoin Doyle, Chief Executive; Rhonda Tidy, Public Arts Coordinator; Daniel Peeters, Broadband Officer; Elisha McCaffrey, Arts and Health Manager, Cavan Arts; Patricia Smith, Road Safety Officer; and Lynda McGavigan, Director of Service. PHOTO: Adrian Donohoe

Inaugural ‘Eco Féile’ to celebrate sustainability

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Cavan’s flagship sustainability and innovation festival, Cavan Eco Féile, will take place from October 23-25 with free live concerts from acts like the Tumbling Paddies, Highstool Prophets, Groev, and Spirit of Smokie, an ‘EcoFun’ Zone featuring 13 floors of exhibits, local food and drink offerings, sustainability talks and workshops with leading business figures, and much more.

The festival is being organised by Cavan County Council to connect people, places and ideas for a more sustainable future, celebrating our shared capacity for positive change.

Townparks in Cavan Town will be transformed into an Eco Fun Zone for the weekend, with a live music gig rig located in Tesco Carpark; while the town’s newly refurbished multi-storey car park will play host to a wide array of family-friendly attractions.

Exhibits will include an Eco Féile Challenge and Fun Zone, Climate Action and Decarbonisation Zone, Created in Cavan Artisan Food & Local Produce, Retrofitting Showcase, and Cavan Connects – Multimedia Fab Lab and Robotics, and the Road Safety Authority VR Shuttle. Running from 11am to 6pm on Friday, October 23 and Saturday, October 24, the EcoFun zone will be a hive of activity and unmissable family fun.

Each evening, the live gig rig will host FREE concerts, with the legendary Spirit of Smokie performing Friday, October 23 at 9pm; Groev (fresh from their packed Electric Picnic show) and local heroes the Highstool Prophets performing Saturday, October 24 from 7pm; while the fantastic Tumbling Paddies bring events to a thundering finish on Sunday, October 25 from 9pm.

Jerry Fish will also be performing a ticketed show at Townhall Cavan Arts Centre on Saturday night at 8pm. See townhallcavan.com for booking details.

GULLIVER 300

Cavan Eco Féile will also encompass the Gulliver 300 celebration, which celebrates the 300th anniversary of Dean Jonathan Swift’s classic satire, much of which was written in Mullagh! Taking place at Cavan Courthouse on Sunday, October 25 from 2.30pm – 8pm, Gulliver 300 will embark on an imaginative journey to Lilliput through music, poetry, theatre, visual art, literature, and creative activities for all ages at this free family event.

Discover a spectacular illuminated Sleeping Giant created by local artists and communities across County Cavan, enjoy a spectacular digital projection mapping artwork as it transforms Cavan Courthouse into a cinematic canvas, and – as darkness falls – follow a magical Dark Skies Lantern Parade as it weaves through the streets of Cavan Town to the Tesco Car Park for late night music.

The inaugural Eco Féile will also bring together local communities, education providers, government agencies and industry leaders to showcase County Cavan’s ambition for the future. Irish Independent Columnist Sarah Carey will host a business breakfast on Friday, October 23, at Cavan Digital Hub with leading figures from Kingspan, Mannok, Goodbody, and Cavan Dublin Business Network, followed by a special event marking the successful completion of the rollout of the National Broadband Plan in County Cavan by National Broadband Ireland.

Friday will also feature ‘Why Cavan 2036?’ an exhibition and series of panel discussions demonstrating how today’s investments and partnerships are shaping the County Cavan of 2036.

Saturday will also see EcoFéile link up with Cavan GAA for a major celebration of underage Gaelic games, with 16 U13 County Finals taking place in Kingspan Breffni, after which approximately 600 players and mentors will be welcomed to Eco Féile to be joined by senior County stars for a special celebration on the main festival stage.

Cavan Eco Féile takes place from October 23 – 25 in Cavan Town.

Keep an eye on ecofeile.ie for updates.

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