All set for the Redhills Carnival on the Green. From left: Victor Mee, Denis Courtney, Sean Dorris, Caoimhe Courtney, Joe Smith, Mavis Magee, Geraldine Brady, Sammy Good, Ann McGauran, Sharon Fay, Hubert Fay, Oisn Courtney and Pat Smith.

Redhills Carnival on the Green this weekend

Sean McMahon

Published: Fri 10 Aug 2018, 4:49 PM

Last updated: Fri 10 Aug 2018, 4:54 PM

It’s Carnival time again on The Green in the picturesque village of Redhills and you are all invited to an exciting extravaganza of live entertainment and events for all the family.
It’s the seventh annual year of the festival and the entertainment line-up, featuring Ireland’s leading Country and Irish stars, attracts people from all over Cavan and the neighbouring counties and it runs from Wednesday, August 8 to Sunday, August 12.
The marquee has long since been erected and festivities are in full swing in the village since last Wednesday with a big weekend ahead (see below for line-up).

The chairman of the Carnival Committee Sean Dorris says that the revenue generated from the various events is invested back into the community, via the various organisations in the area. He added that some disapora abroad actually arrange their holidays to coincide with the carnival.
Robert Dunne, committee joint treasurer, had great praise for the event sponsors over the years in helping to put the carnival on the annual festival calendar for the county. “It is a great success story for us to be able to stage this carnival on an annual basis,” he said.
The hard-working, cross-community committee have organised an exciting line-up of fun events for the jam-packed Carnival programme, which delivers five days and nights of wonderful entertainment. An extensive second annual Trade Fair will take pride of place on the schedule on Saturday, August 11.

FRIDAY FEVER

Patrick Feeney on stage
The Carnival really kicks into full swing as far as dancing is concerned on the Friday night and a huge crowd is expected when the great Patrick Feeney and his band take to the stage at 11pm. There is a €10 offer for the Friday - covering a tea party ticket and the dance with Feeney and his band. Those showing up with a tea party ticket will qualify for the €10 offer but, otherwise, entry to the dance is €15.
The popular tea party is hosted prior to the dance with the help of a catering sub committee. Tickets for the tea party are available from Sharon Fay on 086-3297111.

SIZZLING SATURDAY!

Craft competitions
Saturday is always a magical day and the Carnival Committee have broadened the spectrum of the events and the second annual Craft Show is once again expected to be a major attraction. It largely exhibits items that typically come under ‘Home Industries’ at Agricultural Show competitions.
Registration commences at 10am and the committee members tasked with organising this event are Geraldine Brady and Mavis Magee. Such was the success of this event last year that the entire marquee will be devoted to it on this occasion.
The ladies explained that people have fond memories of the Home Industries feature at their own shows over the years. “We are endeavouring to incorporate a flavour of that into the Redhills Carnival programme. The Carnival successful weaves times past with the present and it is with that in mind that we endeavour to include the widest number of people, regardless of your age,” said Geraldine.
When the judging of the exhibits are completed, the prize giving will take place at 1pm.
So whether your are good at baking, hand crafts or a fine handwriter in school, or you love growing vegetables and flowers, make sure to get your entry in today. There is also a section for secondary school students with one of the classes featuring photography. Mavis is urging people to submit their entries and be part of a wonderful community event.

Kitty’s Kitchen
Kitty’s Kitchen has been a feature of the Carnival from the outset seven years ago and you can drop if for a cup of tea or coffee from 11am throughout the weekend and some lovely homemade buns for good measure.
The ‘Pet Farm’ display will also be a feature of the weekend and will include birds, ducks, pheasants, farm fowl and farm animals like goats and sheep and will be hosted by the Redhills Gun Club in a yard beside the old post Office. Sean Dorris says it will be a safe zone for children to wander in and out and explore what is contained in the cages and get up personal with the animals.

Bowled over!
The Redhills Bowling Club will host a workshop from 3-5pm. You will be shown how to throw a bowl and learn about the rules and skills of the game.

Dance the night away
Make sure to have your dancing shoes shining for Saturday night, because there will be two live acts on stage. The very talented Ciaran Rosney and his band hit the stage at 9pm to warm up the crowd for the galmorous Cliona Hagan and her band. They are, no doubt, set to have dancers jiving and swinging and maybe even rockin’ into the wee hours.
Sean Dorris says it it top class entertainment and only €15 entry fee for the two bands from 9pm.

FAMILY FUNDAY ON SUNDAY
The Family Fun Day on the Sunday is always a winner and includes live dancing in the marquee to Nigel Livingstone and will include refreshments and a bar. Kitty’s Kitchen will be transferred over to the marquee for the day and those manning the barbecue, which will also feature on the other nights, will make sure no-one goes hungry. The will be fun a games for the children including bouncing castles and a bonny baby competition, co-ordinated by Sharon Fay. Subscriptions are voluntary. Sharon Fay will be in charge of the Bonny Baby Competition.

Grand Finale
The final night of dancing is always very magical at Redhills Carnival and the Joe Davitt Band will be making their third visit to the venue and they will be taking to the stage at 9pm.
The Grand Finale with the very talened Eamonn Jackson and his band commences at 11.30pm. Once again just €15 covers both acts. Once again, there will be late bar and refreshments on offer.