What’s on this weekend?

The October Bank Holiday is upon us, and there is something to suit every age, taste and interest going on throughout the region.

Friday, October 25:

A Halloween fancy dress in aid of the Ballinagh Christmas lights funds will take place in McDermott’s commencing at 9pm.

Hotel Castlepollard will be officially reopened under new management. The event gets underway at 8pm. Junior Minister Michael Ring, TD and Cllr Peter Burke will be on hand to perform the official duties.

Ballymahon/Forgney Gaels are holding their Musical Bingo in Cooney’s ‘Loft’ at 9.30pm. There will be great prizes on the night with lots of great fun for all. Two games for €5.

Dromard Child Care’s annual fundraising Halloween Disco will take place in the Latin School, Moyne from 7-9pm. Fancy dress and prizes on the night.

Saturday, October 26:

Newtownforbes Tidy Towns will host a fundraising event in McGowan’s. A good night’s entertainment is promised with great prizes up for grabs in the raffle.

The New Cemetery Committee are organising a fundraising draw which will take place in O’Reilly’s Bar, Drumlish.

The annual fundraising event for the Christmas Lights in town will take place in the Bay Horse Bar, Main Street, Granard. Tickets cost €5 with amazing prizes up for grabs on the night.

Ballinagh Comhaltas are having a tribute night in Cronins Lounge, Ballinagh from 9pm to late in honour of local storyteller Eamon Maguire who achieved first place in Ulster this year. Local musicians and other storytellers will attend.

The Gallant 15km challenge will take place in aid of St Christopher’s Hospice, Cavan. People can walk, run or cycle the 15km from Cavan to Cornafean or choose the smaller course of Ballinagh to Cornafean.

A fundraising event will take place in Crawford’s Lounge, Abbeylara in aid of the Street Children of India Fund. There will be valuable prizes on the night. Lines are currently available locally for a raffle. Entertainment by Mary O’Connor.

The Gathering will be celebrated in Streete this weekend, with the Streete, Rath and Lismacaffrey Schools’ reunion.

The Midland Dancing Committee will host a fundraising event in Rakish Paddies. A night of music and dancing will take place to raise funds for South Westmeath Hospice and the Irish Cancer Society. The evening will incorporate heats in the search of the region’s best waltzers and jivers.

Ballymahon/Forgney Ladies Family Fun run/walk will take place. Children (12 and up) €5, Adults €10. Registration at Ballymahon GAA Clubhouse from 9.30am, race commences at 11am.

The 16th annual Aisling Children’s Arts Festival will come to an end with a day of workshops in the Temperance Hall, Longford. There will be workshops for all ages and interests on the day for just €5. For more information, visit www.aislingfestival.ie

The Backstage Theatre Group will celebrate their 25th anniversary at Longford Golf Club. There will be a champagne reception and four course dinner followed by music by eight-piece band ‘The Prickly Pairs’.

Declan Nerney will take to the stage at 9.30pm in Ringtown GAA Centre, Whitehall, Castlepollard. The event is part of the ongoing fundraising drive in aid of the club. Admission €15.

Saturday, October 26 and Sunday, October 27:

The Tullynally Terror Trail will take place, incorporating the Ghastly Grotto, Wailing Wall, Forgotten Station, Troll Bridge and the Hound of the Pakenhams. For more information, visit www.directingtourism.ie

Saturday, October 26 – Monday, October 28:

Coy’s, Longford will host a range of events for the Bank Holiday weekend.

On Saturday, Recoil will return to the venue.

On Sunday, the ‘Monster Night Party’ will take place, with a fancy dress competition. €200 will be up for grabs for the best dressed. Entertainment by Bluemoose.

On Monday, Coy’s will host the ‘Monday Club Hangover Party’ with live music from 7-9pm.

Sunday, October 27:

A Halloween Fancy Dress will take place in the Olde Village Inn, Drumlish in aid of St Helen’s.

Mullinalaghta Vintage Club will hold its charity run. All funds raised on the day will be donated to Ronald McDonald House in Dublin. Proceedings will kick off with registration at 10.30am, and the run will commence at 12 noon sharp.

The Olde Forge, Killoe will host a Halloween Fancy Dress party from 10pm to late. Prizes on the night for best fancy dress and best karaoke along with a raffle. All proceeds in aid of Our Lady’s Hospital medical research unit, Crumlin.

Marathons4Muireann will be holding a 25 card game in the Lough Ree Co-Op hall. Refreshments will be served and the game will commence at 8.30pm.

Cloone Honda 50 run will take place from Cloone Community Centre, Co Leitrim in aid of “Little Rascals”, Cloone/Aughavas Community Childcare Ltd. Registration from 11am to 12noon. Leaving Cloone at 12.

A charity fundraiser will take place in the Hotel Castlepollard in aid of the Kidney Dialysis Unit in Tullamore. Admission is €10, with a draw on the night.

The Newtownforbes Friends of Longford Dyslexia Workshop/St Christopher’s Autism Unit is holding a sponsored Cywalkleathon (cycle, walk, run, bed push). Entry fee €20 per person, or sponsorship cards are available. Refreshments will be served in the Castle Inn, Newtownforbes directly following the event. There will be music in the Castle Inn that evening between 7.30pm and 9.30pm. A raffle will be held on the night, and there will be music by Dennis Hughes.

The Mostrim players are holding a fundraising spooktacular 5km fancy dress walk/run. Registration is at 11am at the Park House Hotel. Entry fee is €10 for adults and €5 for children. The 5km commences at 12noon at Loughrey’s. There will be prizes for adults, children and best fancy dress.

Ballinamore Childcare are holding their Annual Halloween Party in Ballinamore Community Centre from 6pm to 8pm. Party includes Traditional Halloween Games, Disco and treats galore.

A sponsored walk will take place from Kearney’s Pub, Moydow at 2pm. There will be music and children’s entertainment after the event and refreshments will be served.

Sunday, October 27 and Monday, October 28:

After months of fundraising, Declan O’Flaherty will take on the equivalent of four marathons in just two days to raise funds for Temple Street Children’s Hospital, the Jack and Jill Foundation and the Brothers of Charity. These charities have all assisted his daughter Muireann who was born with a rare neurological disorder. So far, €75,000 of Declan’s €100,000 target has been raised.

Monday, October 28:

A 6k walk in support of the Irish Cancer Society/Mayo/Roscommon Hospital will take place in Strokestown from Centra Car Park. The walk will commence at 10.30am.

The Corn Mill Theatre Group present two One Act Plays; Shoebox and Whiskey, written by Charles McGuinness and directed by Maura Farrelly McGuiness; and Riders to the Sea, written by John Millington Synge and directed by Fr Patsy Young.

Do you have an event coming up? Let us know! Call the newsroom on 043 33 45241 or email us on [email protected]. Alternatively, you can find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/longfordleader or on Twitter @Longford_Leader.