The second regional final of the TY Young Cook of the Year Competition took place on Wednesday 24th April in Cavan Institute. The aim of this competition is to encourage secondary schools to promote local food, and to educate and inform future generations about the importance of supporting our local food industry. The project also encourages young people to consider a career within the hospitality sector by pursuing courses delivered by CMETB at Cavan Institute. This competition was sponsored by SuperValu Food Academy and Created in Cavan. Transition Year students from six secondary schools across Cavan, Monaghan, Meath and Louth travelled to Cavan to showcase their culinary skills. These students had won their county finals earlier this year. The participating schools were Inver College, Carrickmacross; Beech Hill College, Monaghan; Loreto College, Cavan; St Aidan’s Comprehensive, Cootehill; Sacred Heart Secondary School, Drogheda and St Joseph’s Mercy Secondary School, Navan. On the day of the competition, students had two hours to prepare a two-course meal using local ingredients, as well as perform a skills demonstration. At the start of the competition, Chef Pauric White, Commis Chef Apprenticeship Instructor in Cavan Institute, demonstrated how to segment an orange and julienne the rind using professional knife skills. Students were then given the task of segmenting, julienning and presenting their fruit to the judges. Judging the competition were Norbert Neylon, Created in Cavan and the Oak Room Restaurant; Carmel Biggane, SuperValu Food Academy and Montxo Herrera, Executive Chef at Killua Castle. Students were supported on the day by Chef Pauric White and a number Commis Chef Apprentices studying at Cavan Institute. Third place on the day went to Jenna Smith and Niamh Boyle Drought from Loreto College Cavan with their dishes Stuffed Chicken Breast with a sundried tomato sauce, followed by homemade Chocolate Brownies. Niamh and Jenna showcased local food producers including Herd Butchery, Corleggy Cheese, Aine’s Chocolates and Ice Cream treats. Second place was awarded to Saidhbhe Elmes and Chloe Cromwell from Sacred Heart Secondary School in Drogheda with their dishes Spanish Omelette with a side salad and Lannleire honey roasted cashew nuts, followed by an apple and blackberry cake served with Silly Sids Icecream and freshly brewed Lilys Herbal Tea. Many of their ingredients were sourced from Hillards Family Farm Shop. And taking home first place were Marta Alcaide Ruiz and Amaya Labrador from Inver College with their dishes Creamy Manor Farm Chicken with homemade parsley pesto served with Matilda’s Sourdough followed by Ginger Cheesecake with Glaslough Chocolate and Inniskeen honey. The students even wowed the judges with a spun sugar topping on their cheesecake. This is the second year running that Inver College has claimed first prize and brought the SuperValu Food Academy cup back to the Farney County. Well done to all the participants on the day. Michelle Marron, Commis Chef Apprenticeship Programme Manager, complimented the students on their standard of cooking and said they did their schools and counties proud. Carmel Biggane of SuperValu Food Academy and Siobhan Shiels of Created in Cavan spoke about the importance of supporting local industry and thanked the students for their excellent work in showcasing local produce. Carmel Brady, Vice Chair of Cavan County Council, commended the competition and said she always enjoys attending the county and regional finals each year. The talent and enthusiasm evident from the students and teachers was truly impressive. Created in Cavan, Taste of Monaghan, Boyne Valley Flavours and a number of local food producers were in attendance at the competition showcasing many local food products.

On Friday 19 April 2024, six groups of students and the staff who were beneficiaries of Erasmus+ funding this year were invited to a reunion where they were presented with their Certificates of Participation issued by Cavan Institute and the various host organisations. Sixty six students and 13 staff participated in Erasmus+ mobilities this year, and all were required to provide feedback as part of their programme. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Over 90 students and staff attended the reunion that Friday afternoon, and there was an air of celebration and fun at the event. Those present heard from students who had travelled to Spain, Malta, Estonia and Poland, and Ciara Flynn spoke on behalf of the teachers who participated in AI Training in Malta during the Easter break. Refreshments were served and photos taken, and deputy directors Gerry McKenny and Karen Fitzpatrick shared the honours in presenting the Certificates to students and staff. It was a wonderful way to wrap-up the Erasmus project for this year, and this programme has certainly enhanced the college experience for students and staff fortunate enough to have participated. Keep your eyes peeled for an article in the Anglo Celt over the coming weeks!

Spring 2024 Evening Courses at Cavan Institute Online Applications are OPEN. All details are here: https://www.cavaninstitute.ie/evening-courses Some courses fill up quickly. Apply now if interested and don't want to be disappointed. Open Evening is Thursday, 11 Jan, 7-8 pm.

Cavan Institute Theatre Peformance Students proudly present Cleocatra in the Townhall Theatre on Dec 14th at 6:30 pm. Get ready for a side-splitting and enchanting comedy that will have both kids and adults in stitches! Join the lovable King and the theatrically inclined Queen as they embark on a whimsical journey with their extraordinary dancing cat. Meet Alex and Oleg, the trusty guardians of this feline sensation. However, enter Reggie, the charismatic ringmaster from the circus, who hatches a plan by hiring two culprits to swipe the cat. The result? A wild adventure full of laughs and unexpected twists as the King and Queen bravely reclaim their dancing sensation at the circus. Don't miss the fun-filled escapades and colourful characters that make this story a must-see for all ages! Book your tickets using the link below: https://townhallcavan.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/1173651527

Many thanks to Barry Tierney who shared his insights and experience with us as an educator in Cavan and further afield over the last 40 years. The Pre-University Teaching students enjoyed Barry’s engaging and informative talk where he spoke about his early teaching career in the 1980s when primary schools had no phones, no photocopiers and no computers, all basic equipment that we take for granted today. Barry later spoke of his role as former Principal of St. Felim’s National School and his current role as a supervisor of B. ED (Froebel) student teachers on placement from Maynooth University. He discussed at length the positive impacts that DEIS bestows on a school community. Míle buíochas Barra as do chur i láthair, is mór againn do chuid ama agus iarrachta.

An exciting week for our Mens GAA team! They travel to UL on Wednesday, 6 December 2023, to play University of Limerick at 2 pm at Maguires Pitches, UL, Castletroy, Limerick in the League Final. If you are near Limerick, be sure to support the team! The squad is made up of players from a wide variety of courses including: Carpentry Techniques, Sustainable Construction, Pre- Apprenticeship Carpentry, Construction Technology, Architecture Tech & Design, Sport and Fitness Year 1, Sports Therapy and Physiotherapy Assistant Year 1, Sport and Fitness with Personal Training Year 2, Advanced Sports Therapy and Physiotherapy Assistant Year 2, Business Studies, Pre-University Primary and Post Primary Teaching, Pre-University Science with Sports, Engineering Technology, Applied Social Studies, Electrical Apprenticeship. We wish the management team and the squad all the best of luck on Wednesday. Our Director, Dr Niall McVeigh, spoke with the team to wish them well with their endeavours. The players do a great job of representing Cavan Institute but they are all very proud of their home clubs also. Clubs represented are: Shannon Gaels Killeshandra Leaguers GAA Ballyhaise GAA Cootehill Celtic Aughnamullen GAA Cornafean GFC Templeport St Aidans Gaa Killygarry GAA Swanlinbar St Mary's GAA Club Lavey GAA Ballinagh GAA Club Latton O'Rahilly GAA Club St Brigids GFC Ballinacree Killinkere GFC Moynalty Gaa Club Ramor Utd GFC Butlersbridge GAA Crosserlough GFC Eadestown Gaa Arvagh Gaa Kildallan GAA Apprenticeship Ireland The Anglo-Celt Cavan County Board Monaghan GAA Cavan and Monaghan Education and Training Board - CMETB

12th | 13th | 14th October 2023 Singer Songwriter Don Mescall together with Cavan Institute and Cavan Arts Office has established Cavan’s first ever music industry festival. A festival that will inform, educate, encourage and provide realistic expectations of what to expect if you are trying to or would like to get into the music industry. This year the festival will run for three consecutive days in October 2023. Download the Music Industry Day Thursday 12 October at Cavan Institute A variety of Workshops on Friday 13 October at Cavan Institute and The Conaty Centre The Listening Rooms on Saturday 14 October around Cavan Town For more details of each facilitator and workshop please visit www.cavanarts.ie or www.townhallcavan.com

We are getting a great reaction to our autumn 2023 evening courses. You can apply online now to secure your place. If your course of choice isn't viewable, it is full. Courses will run subject to a minimum number of applicants enrolling. All classes take place on a Tuesday evening, except for Introduction to Photoshop and Introduction to InDesign which takes place on Friday afternoons.

Congratulations to former Nursing Studies - Maternity Care student Casey Maher on qualifying as a Midwife. Casey Maher attended St Clare’s College, Ballyjamesduff before enrolling on the QQI Level 5 Nursing Studies – Maternity Care course at Cavan Institute during 2019/20. She passed all modules on the course and used her QQI Level 5 award to progress to Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge to undertake the Midwifery BSc (Hons) Degree programme. When Casey was asked how her year at Cavan Institute she replied "it really gave me the chance to mature and realise that this was the profession I wanted to pursue. It also showed me the other options for becoming a midwife such as the UK (through UCAS). It gave me a good insight into the work required such as referencing to use now at third level. Cavan Institute was definitely the stepping stone I needed to get me here today." We wish you every success as you start your career in the Rosie Hospital Cambridge. Course Details: https://www.cavaninstitute.ie/course/nursing-studies---maternity-care

Join us on Tuesday 29 August at 7 pm for a parent and student information evening at Cathedral Road Campus, Cavan Town. Meet with tutors and guidance counsellors for advice on course options in relation to college and employment progression opportunities from Cavan Institute. All course fees are €200. Apply online. Late applications are being accepted. Courses are starting on 11 September 2023.

We have added more great student testimonials to our YouTube channel. Hear students share their experience of studying at Cavan Institute. Some students progressed to higher education, some to employment and some used it for both. If you are considering a career change, be sure to watch these videos. If you want to pursue your dream job, but you don't have the CAO Leaving Cert points, these videos can help you. We offer over 70 courses. Get in touch with us today. Apply Online.

There was great excitement at today’s pre-departure briefing for 23 students selected to take part in Cavan Institute’s Erasmus+ programme as they got ready for their forthcoming trip to Seville in Spain. The students got to know each other as they’ll spend two weeks living together and working in various business throughout the city. Among the group are five students who completed the barbering course, five from the pre-university law course, five who studied art, craft and design, three qualified beauty therapists, two students who completed the pre-university primary and post-primary teaching course, two who completed science-related programmes and one student from the professional cookery programme. Work placements have been secured for the students by Praktica Training and Consulting, an agency in Spain which has helped secure such placements for our students with local companies for the last number of years. Through the Erasmus+ programme at Cavan Institute, students get a chance to experience living and working in another EU country, on an all-expenses-paid basis. They return hugely enriched by their experience. Cavan Institute was awarded over €200k by Léargas, the Irish National Agency that administers Erasmus+ and other programme funding on behalf of the EU. This will allow more students from more courses to experience working abroad next year. The Institute continues to seek partnerships with agencies and colleges in new countries, and this funding enables us to explore and secure such partnerships. Our focus is on developing our students’ skills and broadening their horizons. Participating in the Erasmus+ programme is an important dimension to that. Make Erasmus+ part of your Cavan Institute experience.