Geopark Events

(All events may be subject to change. Check local press for details)

July

Spring to Source: Guided walk along Cavan Way from Shannon Pot to Burren Forest
Sunday 18th July

Starting at the Shannon Pot, this walk will give you the chance to follow the course of the Shannon River as it flows beneath you for much of this walk. Travelling along the Cavan Way and through a variety of landscapes including coniferous forest and limestone grasslands, this beautiful walk gives you the chance to see an extraordinarily picturesque part of rural West Cavan.

Meet at the Shannon Pot car park at 11am. The walk is approximately 10km and is on a combination of farm track, public road and open ground. The walk will finish at the Burren Forest and walkers will be transported back to the Shannon Pot for approximately 4pm. Please wear stout footwear and bring warm waterproof clothing as well as a packed lunch. This walk is not suitable for children under 12 years of age. The cost of this walk is €5 per person and booking is essential.

Booking is essential.  For further information or to book your place please contact the Marble Arch Caves Visitor’s Centre via telephone on 028 6634 8855 or 004428 6634 8855 or visit our website www.marblearchcavesgeopark.com.

Cornagee Heritage Walk
Thursday 22nd July

Starting at the Cornagee Viewpoint, this delightful heritage takes you past cave entrances, lime kilns and offers superb views over the glacial landscapes of West Cavan and Leitrim. The walk will take you up past the entrance to the Burren Forest and on up to Gowlan before returning to Cornagee.

Meet at Cornagee Viewpoint, just off the Old Glangevlin Road at 11am. The walk is approximately 5km and is on public road. The walk will finish again at Corngaee Viewpoint at approximately 1pm. Please wear stout footwear and bring warm waterproof clothing. This walk is not suitable for children under 8 years of age.

Booking is essential. Booking is essential.  For further information or to book your place please contact the Marble Arch Caves Visitor’s Centre via telephone on 028 6634 8855 or 004428 6634 8855 or visit our website www.marblearchcavesgeopark.com.

Geopark Information Evening in Blacklion
Thursday 22nd July

The Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark extends into parts of West Fermanagh as well as West Cavan and is the first cross-border Geopark in the world. As part of the Cornagee School Reunion, come and find out what being a UNESCO-endorsed Geopark means for the region and how this can have a positive impact on the tourism, recreation and educational potential of the area.

The information evening will take place in the Market House in Blacklion and will start at 7.30pm. Tea / coffee and light refreshments will be served.

Gowlan Heritage Walk
Friday 23rd July

The landscape around Gowlan boasts an abundance of both natural and cultural heritage ranging from the unusual Garvagh Lough to the exquisite cashel at Moneygashel. Come along and discover some of the fascinating history of the area in this undiscovered pocket of County Cavan.

Meet at Gowlan Chapel at 11am. The walk is approximately 5km long and is on a combination of public road, farm track and open ground. The walk will finish again at Gowlan Chapel at approximately 1pm. Please wear stout footwear and bring warm waterproof clothing. This walk is not suitable for children under 8 years of age.

Burren Forest Heritage Walk
Saturday 24th July

Find out about the natural and cultural heritage of the Burren Forest in the company of local historian and archaeologist Jim Nolan. The forest contains evidence of settlement from the Neolithic times right up to the early 20th Century as well as a wealth of fascinating landscapes.

Meet at Burren Forest entrance at 11am. The walk will be approximately 5km and will be on a combination of forest road and track and will finish at approximately 2pm. Please wear stout footwear and bring warm waterproof clothing. This walk is suitable for all ages.

Booking is essential. Booking is essential.  For further information or to book your place please contact the Marble Arch Caves Visitor’s Centre via telephone on 028 6634 8855 or 004428 6634 8855 or visit our website www.marblearchcavesgeopark.com.

Erne Boat Trip: Belturbet to Crom
Saturday 31st July

Find out about the local history, folklore and geology as you relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery of the area as the Inishcruiser makes its way through this enticing landscape. Join Geopark staff and a host of local experts for a heritage tour along the River Erne. Leaving from Belturbet at both 10am and 2pm, take the Inishcruiser along the river to Crom Estate before returning to Belturbet at approximately 1.30pm and 3.30 respectively.

This event has been organized in conjunction with the Festival of the Erne (www.ernefestival.com) so to book a place or for more information please contact +353 87 944 7188. The tour is suitable for all ages and costs €5 per person. Booking is essential.

August

Junior Geologists Activity Day
Monday 2nd August

Get messy and have a go at erupting earthquakes, predicting volcanoes, fossilising footprints, and modelling glaciers, all at our Junior Geologists Activity Day at the Marble Arch Caves Visitor Centre.

This is a drop-in event and will take place from 11am to 4pm. Please bear in mind that all children should be accompanied by an adult. This event is free but normal cave admission prices apply.

Going Batty: Geopark Bat Detectives
Friday 6th August

Join Geopark staff and discover more about some of our most elusive and mysterious mammals in their natural
environment. The meeting point for this event is the Castle Car Park at Castle Caldwell Forest. Castle Caldwell Forest is located off the Kesh – Belleek A47 road about 5miles (8km) from Belleek.  The event will begin at 9:00p.m. and finish at 11:00p..m. This event is suitable for all the family. However, all children must be accompanied by adult. Please bring a hand or head torch.  Warm waterproof clothing and sturdy footwear are essential.

Booking is essential.  For further information or to book your place please contact the Marble Arch Caves Visitor’s Centre via telephone on 028 6634 8855 or 004428 6634 8855 or visit our website www.marblearchcavesgeopark.com.

On the Mammal Trail: Geopark Walk
Saturday 14th August

Lough Navar Forest is full of mammals such as red squirrels and red deer but due to their shy nature we don’t often get the chance to see them. Join Geopark staff and look for clues that let us know these fascinating mammals are actually living in our forests. This event will involve driving to and walking around various points within the Forest.  There will be no more than 4km of walking in total.

The walk will begin at 2:00p.m. and will last for approximately 2 hours.  Warm waterproof clothing and sturdy footwear are essential.  This walk is suitable for persons of a moderate level of fitness.  It is not suitable for wheelchair users or persons with limited mobility and all children must be accompanied by an adult.  Please feel free to bring along drinks and snacks for this event.

The meeting point for this event is the entrance to Lough Navar Forest.  Lough Navar Forest is located off the minor Derrygonnelly – Belleek road.  The entrance to Lough Navar Forest is adjacent to Correl Glen National Nature Reserve (GR H076547). Lough Navar Forest is signposted throughout the County using brown tourist road signs.

Booking is essential.  For further information or to book your place please contact the Marble Arch Caves Visitor’s Centre via telephone on 028 6634 8855 or 004428 6634 8855 or visit our website www.marblearchcavesgeopark.com.

Wet and Wonderful: Geopark Canoe Trip
Saturday 14th August

Join the team from the Carrawtraw Canoe Centre and Geopark staff and enjoy an afternoon on the waters of Lough Oughter. The lake system of Lough Oughter is home to a wonderful array of birdlife as well as displaying some of the finest glacial landscapes in Ireland. The trip will leave from the Carratraw Canoe Centre, near Butlersbridge, and will travel on the lake to Clogh Oughter Castle before returning along the same route.

The trip will take place from 2pm until approximately 6pm and is suitable for children over 10 years of age (although younger children may come along at the discretion of Carratraw Canoe Centre). The cost of the trip is €25 per adult and €15 per child and can be booked directly with the Carrawtraw Canoe Centre at 00353 86 266 0686 or by email at info@cavancaneoing.com

 Family Friendly Day
Sunday 15th August

Join Geopark staff and local artists for an arts and craft event as part of the Family Friendly Day in Con Smith Park, in Cavan town. Have a go at fossil rubbing, and learn how to make your own Carboniferous diorama as well as lots of others arts and crafts activities.

The event will take place from 2pm until 6pm, beside the Cavan Institute in Cavan. No booking is required and this is a drop-in event although all children should be accompanied by an adult.

Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann
16th to 22nd August

Cavan is preparing for the largest festival of music, song and dance with people gathering from all over the world for this immense cultural celebration. The 60th Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann is set to be the largest ever as it returns to Cavan for the first time since 1954. Discover Cavan's Rich musical and cultural heritage through a diverse range of events that can all be viewed at www.fleadh2010.ie The Geopark is contributing to this magnificent celebration of Irish heritage through a number of specially organized events throughout the area.

Storytelling at Clogh Oughter Castle
Tuesday 17th August

Enjoy a relaxing boat trip through the tranquil landscapes of Lough Oughter, part of the Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark. The boat will leave from Trinity Island at 6pm and will transport you to Clogh Oughter Castle, an Anglo-Norman castle set upon a man-made island in Lough Oughter. Refreshments will be served on the island while you listen to local historian Jim Hannon regaling us with stories from the castle. The boats will return to Trinity Island at approximately 9pm.

Places are limited on this event but it is possible to join the tour at Rinn Point where the boast will transport you the short distance from the shore to Clogh Oughter Castle. The cost of this event is €15 to include refreshments. For those joining the tour at Rinn Point then cost is €10.

Geopark Safari: bus tour of Geopark sites in Cavan and Fermanagh
Thursday 19th August

Join Geopark staff for a Geopark Safari around some of the finest Geopark sites in Cavan and Fermanagh. The tour will leave from outside Cavan Courthouse at 10am and will stop at Turbet Island in Belturbet before travelling northwards for lunch and a tour of the Marble Arch Caves. After lunch the tour will take in the evocative Burren Forest and its wealth of archaeological heritage, before stopping at the Shannon Pot and travelling back to Cavan via the Bellavally Gap. The bus will return to Cavan Courthouse at approximately 6pm.  The cost of this event is €25 and will include lunch.

Megalithic Mania: Guided Walk of Burren Forest
Sunday 22nd August

Local archaeologist and historian, Jim Nolan will lead this bilingual walk through the evocative Burren Forest. With its wealth of archaeological heritage dating back as far as the Neolithic period, this walk will offer a rare insight into the past settlers of this spiritual landscape.

Walkers should meet at the Burren gates at 2pm. The walk will last for approximately 3 hours and will require stout footwear and warm. Waterproof clothing. This event is free.

To book a place on any of the Gepoark Fleadh events please contact 00353 49 437 8600 or email klemon@cavancoco.ie

Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann celebrations at Marble Arch Caves Visitor’s Centre
Saturday 21st August

Why not come along and enjoy the music, fun and frolicis at the Marble Arch Caves Visitor’s Centre as part of the Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark Fleadh Cheoil celbrations.  There will be live music and entertainment at the Visitor’s Centre from 12:00p.m. until 4:00p.m. This event will b
e free of charge but, normal admission rates to the Showcave will still apply.

Heritage Week 2010
21st to 29th August

The aim of National Heritage Week is to build awareness and education about our heritage thereby encouraging its conservation and preservation. The Heritage Council coordinates National Heritage Week with support from the Department of the Environment, Heritage & Local Government & Failte Ireland.

There are a number of events taking place throughout the Geopark during Heritage Week all of which are completely free.

Landscapes and Literature
Tuesday 24th August

Poets, writers and musicians have used the landscape as their inspiration for centuries if not millennia. Come along and listen to an evening of poetry, music, storytelling and dance, all of which have taken their inspiration from the landscapes of the Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark.

Landscapes and Literature will take place in Kilmore Parish Hall from 8pm until 10pm and will include refreshments. For more information please contact the Cavan County Heritage Office at 00353 49 437 8600 or email amcurley@cavancoco.ie

Stories from Old Blacklion
Thursday 26th August

The border village of Blacklion in Co. Cavan has had an interesting past with stories of smugglers, illegal distillers and highwaymen all to be had. Harold Johnston, local historian and storyteller will be regaling us with tales from Blacklion’s hey day at the Market House in Blacklion from 8pm to 10pm. Tea / coffee and light refreshments will be served.

For more information on Heritage Week events please see www.heritageweek.ie