This is the official programme for Culture Night Cavan 2026, a one-night festival of arts, heritage and community events across County Cavan, Ireland, on Friday 18 September 2026, with a preview evening on Thursday 17 September. It is aimed at local residents, visitors and families looking for free cultural activities. The document opens with the Thursday preview: a film double bill at Blessings…
This is the official programme booklet for Culture Night Cavan 2026, a free one-night festival of arts, heritage and community events across County Cavan, Ireland, taking place on Friday 18 September 2026, with a preview evening on Thursday 17 September. It is designed for local residents, visitors and families looking for accessible cultural activities.
The Thursday preview includes a film double bill at Blessings Bar (The Cure and The Lacey Way) and a Pop-Up Gaeltacht for Irish language conversation. On Friday, Market Square hosts a lunchtime Pop-Up Gaeltacht, followed by Street Life outdoor theatre in the Townhall Arts Centre car park from 5.30pm.
Cavan town events feature interactive outdoor installations at the Courthouse Railings: Marilyn Gaffney's story-based artwork and Anna Wiercioch's recycled-paper circles. A giant bird puppet Mrs Polly Bubblebeak roams the streets. Johnston Central Library holds an Afternoon of Literature with the Windows 2026 Student Poetry Prize winners.
Workshops at the Conaty Centre include breath, sound bath and stone art with Sharon Mundy, and restorative dance with Fiona Flynn. The Ukrainian Centre offers Celtic-Ukrainian art and Irish desserts. A multicultural evening at the Farnham Arms Hotel brings together NYAH Cavan, the Association of Ukrainians in Ireland, Music Generation Youth Choir, the Latvian Association and Gaelphobal an Chabháin.
Evening performances include Visceral'22 Remastered physical theatre at Townhall Arts Centre, an art exhibition by Ben Reilly, and a group exhibition at Ramor Arts Centre curated by Will Govan. In Virginia, there is a play Clarity at last by Charlie McGuinness, an exhibition What Emerges by Irish Wheelchair Association Cavan, and a talk on Rosie Boote and the Headfort family.
Killinkere Leisure Centre hosts a traditional Oíche Ghaelach with Comhaltas. Shercock offers archival film of Lough Sillan Regattas with live music, and an open studio with artist Michelle Boyle in Garryross. The programme closes with a community evening at Shercock St Patrick's Hall celebrating diverse cultures with food from Boxty to Baklava.