Ed Reavy Traditional Music Festival 2026, Cavan

The Ed Reavy Traditional Music Festival runs from Thursday 15 to Sunday 18 October 2026 across venues in Cavan town, organised by Cavan Town CCE.

What to expect

The festival is named for Ed Reavy, the composer and fiddle player born in Maudabawn, Co. Cavan, who emigrated to Philadelphia as a teenager in 1912 and became known for his traditional dance tunes. Across the four days, 28 sessions take place in venues throughout Cavan town. The Ed Reavy International Fiddler of the Year competition runs on Saturday in the Town Hall Arts Theatre, with the Under 18 category at 11am and the Over 18 category at 2pm. Two set dancing ceilis are held in Cavan Town Hall: the Blackwater Ceili Band on Friday night, and Pipers Cross on Sunday afternoon. Saturday evening brings a concert at 8pm in the Town Hall Theatre featuring Ryan Sheridan, Conor McDonagh, Andrew Cadden and Conor Connolly, with support from Music Generation Cavan Monaghan.

Getting there

Festival venues are spread across Cavan town centre, including the Cavan Crystal Hotel and the Town Hall Arts Theatre on Townhall Street, along with various town pubs hosting sessions.

While you’re in Cavan

Cavan Town is the county town, easy to explore on foot between festival venues over the four days. See more of what’s on in the town on the Cavan Town page and across the county on the Cavan events hub.

Good to know

• Thursday 15 to Sunday 18 October 2026, across Cavan town venues
• Sessions are free; the Saturday concert and the two ceilis are ticketed
• Fiddler of the Year competition: Saturday, Town Hall Arts Theatre, Under 18 at 11am, Over 18 at 2pm
• Ceilis: Friday night with the Blackwater Ceili Band, Sunday afternoon with Pipers Cross, both in Cavan Town Hall
• Saturday concert: 8pm, Town Hall Theatre, with Ryan Sheridan and guests
• Booking: see the Farnham Arms Hotel event page linked above
• Details from Cavan Town CCE and the Farnham Arms Hotel event listing, checked 14 September 2026.