Five must see events at Cavan Arts Festival this weekend
As always the Cavan Arts Festival team have come up with a brilliant programme brimming with events for all ages and tastes. We've pulled out a few highlights from the line-up. For an interview with festival headliners Soda Blonde, who play the Townhall Arts CEntre on Saturday night, click here.
Birdsong
WHEN: Sunday 19th May, 3pm
WHERE: Big Top Tent, Con Smith Park, Cavan
WHAT: This special documentary screening delves into the unique story of Ornithologist Seán Ronayne from Cobh, Co. Cork, who is on a mission to record the sound of every bird species in Ireland – that’s nearly 200 birds- after being diagnosed with hypersensitivity to sound. This will be followed by a Q&A with Sean and the film’s director Kathleen Harris.
Tickets: €5.
'Love Me Do'
WHEN: Saturday 18th & Sunday 19th May, 5pm.
WHERE: Starting point: Look for the red heart-shaped helium balloon in Con Smith Park
WHAT: Join Kate & Mick as they take you on a journey of romance, drama, comedy and heartbreak on the streets of Cavan. 'Love Me Do', an immersive three-part street theatre experience written and directed by James O'Donnell and starring Niamh McPhilips, a producer with Livin' Dred, and Callum Maxwell.
Tickets: €10. Strictly limited to 20 per performance. Over 16’s only.
Mohammad Syfkhan
WHEN: Saturday 18th May, 4pm
WHERE: Big Top, Con Smith Park, Cavan
WHAT: A former surgical nurse forced to flee his homeland after his son was murdered by ISIS, Mohammad Syfkhan is a Bouzouki playing sensation. The Syrian nationally moved to Ireland in 2017 before settling in Leitrim where he set the local trad scene a flutter with his bright and energetic Kurdish inspired compositions. He has since collaborated with the likes of Lankum, Martin Hayes, Eimear Reidy and Cormac Begley, while his debut album 'I Am Kurdish' was released to critical acclaim.
Tickets: €5 (Under 16s for free).
The Pedal Parade
WHEN: Sunday 19th May, 10.30am
WHERE: Starts & Finishes at The Playground, Con Smith Park
WHAT: The Pedal Parade on Sunday with Con Horgan, aka DJ No Brakes, starting and finishing at the playground, looking for as many people to saddle-up and take back the streets on one, two or even three wheels, for what promises to be the biggest pedal party the town has ever seen.
Free event.
Neurodiversity in the Arts- A Panel Discussion
WHEN: Sunday 19th May, 1:30pm
WHERE: Big Top Tent, Con Smith Park, Cavan
WHAT: An important element of Cavan Arts Festival is to provide a inclusive platform for artists and voices, and this year is no different with a panel discussion set to take place on the topic of 'Neurodiversity in the Arts'. Participants include award-winning autistic writer and creator Jody O'Neill; actor, performer and advocate Cian Binchy; and audiovisual artist Alan James Burns.
Free event.
For a full run down of ll that's happening at Cavan Arts Festival click here.