The launch of the Cavan Summer Festival and Hen Weekend took place on Thursday with Sean Gallagher on hand to launch the event which takes place from June 16-19. Back (from left): Adrian Dempsy, Michael Shields, Philip Sheridan, George Donohoe, Sharon Payne, Linda O'Reilly, Philip McMahon, Gerr

Cavan Summer Festival 'fantastic initiative' - Gallagher

Cavan town is cranking up for its second annual Cavan Summer Festival and International Hen Weekend, which will kick off next weekend with a jam-packed programme of events. Costing over €100,000 to stage, it's estimated to bring in around €1m for Cavan town businesses as visitors flock to the county town. Launching the festival programme and brochure last Thursday in the Meadow View in Cavan, Dragon Sean Gallagher complimented the business community in Cavan town for coming together to stage such a major event, generating revenue in difficult times. Speaking about the 'team' behind the event, Mr. Gallagher said: "There is one upside to the downturn - the future of our recovery is our ability to come together with innovation and creativity and this is exactly what Cavan Summer Festival and International Hen Weekend has done, a real example of what this country needs to be doing." He wished the festival every success. "It is a fantastic initiative, the embodiment of everything that is good about being Irish but more importantly about being from Cavan." Sneak preview Guests at last week's launch were given a sneak preview of what they can expect for the spectacular mardi gras pageant on Friday, June 17, as they were met on arrival by two stunning Brazilian dancers decked out in full carnival costume. A wonderful beginning to what was, a well attended and very successful night. The capable and comedic MC for the night, Fergal 'the gunner' Brady kicked off proceedings by inviting chairman of Cavan Town Council, Paddy Reilly to speak. Cllr. O'Reilly complimented festival chairman Donal Keogan and the committee on the positivity shown to make the festival a reality and noted that it must be supported fully in order to prosper. He wished the festival every success. Chairman of the Cavan County Board, Tom O'Reilly also spoke, complimenting the committee on the success of the festival, adding that the GAA are delighted to be associated with the Summer Festival and International Hen weekend. Chairman Donal Keogan took to the stage next firstly thanking the festival's two main sponsors Guinness and Heineken, and all associated sponsors, also all the business people of Cavan who have come on board in supporting the festival in difficult times. The festival will cost over €110,000 to run this year, all of which is raised through fundraising events and sponsorship and the festival brochure and programme guide, which was launched on the night. Mr. Keogan thanked Heather Brett for her work on the publication, which is vital to the fundraising efforts. He finished by welcoming the special guest for the night, Dragon Sean Gallagher. Cavan Summer Festival and International Hen Weekend runs from June 17 to 19, the festival is only in its second year and already it has grown and gained momentum and it set to be bigger and better than last year, with a fantastic line up for the weekend, with a massive Mardi Gras pageant, street performance, live music, theatre, children's workshops and entertainment. And there's still time for brides to be to sign up for the International Hen Weekend with a chance to win an amazing €20,000 cash prize. Check out www.henweekend.ie for more details. One of the festival's organisers, Linda O'Reilly, said: "We hope that this festival weekend becomes a major feature on Cavan's calendar of events for a long time to come." A full preview of the festival will be featured in next week's issue. Check out www.cavansummerfestival.ie