Winter Wellness - Let’s start the year with creativity and connection! Please share our Schedule of Creative Events taking place across Cavan and Monaghan in early January 2026
Cavan Monaghan Connects in partnership with HSE Cavan Monaghan, and Cavan and Monaghan County Councils have come together to create a schedule of events and activities to help boost mental health and wellbeing through creativity and community connection. January can be a difficult time for many after the busyness of the festive season. It’s important that people find ways to recharge their batteries and spend time doing things they enjoy. Attending or taking part in a creative, artistic or cultural event locally is one way that can help while also supporting community connection. A core aim of this initiative is to show that mental health awareness is everyone’s concern and that there is a growing community using the creative arts as a way of supporting people through their emotional challenges and journey of recovery that can be part of our normal life experiences. The schedule of events highlights some of the good things we all enjoy in life. From listening to live music performances, seeing street art in action to joining in a creative workshop or taking an active role in supporting our well-being; it’s all about how we can bring hope and connection into our lives. Our Winter Wellness Schedule is available on Cavan Monaghan Connects – your local online hub for mental health and wellbeing information, services, training and local events taking place across Cavan and Monaghan. Learn more at cavanmonaghanconnects.ie. WINTER WELLNESS IN CAVAN AND MONAGHAN schedule of events in early January to boost wellbeing through creativity and connection
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WINTER WELLNESS Schedule of Creative events across Cavan and Monaghan in early January 2026 to promote positive mental health and wellbeing through creativity and community connection. Find out more on Cavan Monaghan Connects Your local online hub for mental health and wellbeing information, services, training and local events across Cavan and Monaghan. Learn more at cavanmonaghanconnects.ie
WINTER WELLNESS 2026
DATE
EVENT
LOCATION
TIME
Fuel your Mind: Strategies for Wellness Hand Drumming Workshops with Wellness and Rhythm Hand Drumming Workshops with Wellness and Rhythm
Tuesday 6th January Thursday 8th January 2026 Thursday 8th January 2026 Friday 9th January 2026 Monday 12th January 2026 Tuesday 13th January 2026
Bailieborough Library
10. 30am- 12.30pm 10.30am -12.30pm 2.30 - 4.30pm 10.30am -12.30pm 10.15am -12:00 11.30am -12.30pm
Virginia Library
Johnston Central Library, Cavan Virginia Library Virginia Library Carrickmacross Library Virginia Library
Art of Life: Good Grief Club
Make a Keepsake Cushion
Stride & Thrive: Activator Walking Poles for Body and Mind Creating 2026 by the Well Within The Gut-Brain Loop: A Two-Way Street to Health and Happiness Make a Keepsake Cushion Flow Into Calm: Tai Chi for Well-being Musical event for mental health awareness - local Musicians and Singers perform a small musical event for mental health awareness. Hand Drumming Workshops with Wellness and Rhythm Upcycling Programme Guided Tour of Monaghan Town Minding Me
Virginia Library
Tuesday 13th & Tuesday 20th January 2026 Tuesday 13th January 2026 Wednesday 14th January 2026 Wednesday 14th January 2026 Wednesday 14th January 2026
2.00-4.00pm
Johnston Central Library, Cavan Castleblayney Library
6.30-7.30pm
10.30am -12:00 11.00am -12.00 6.00 -7.30pm
Cootehill Library
Outreach Room, Monaghan Town Library, Monaghan Peace Campus, North Road, H18 RP20 Monaghan Town Library Monaghan Town Library Meet outside Westenra Hotel Johnston Central Library Monaghan Peace Campus
10.30-11.30am OR 12 -1pm 2.00-4:00pm 10.30am -12:00 4.00-5.00pm
Friday 16th January 2026 Friday 16th January 2026 Saturday 17th January 2026 Monday 19th January 2026 Monday 19th January 2026
Hands of Monaghan Event
5.00 - 8.00pm
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WINTER WELLNESS 2026
FUEL YOUR MIND: Strategies for Wellness
Discover practical ways to reduce stress and build resilience. The session offers simple tools to help you live well every day, demonstrating how healthy lifestyle choices—including balanced eating—can contribute to improved energy and
mood. Venue: Date: Time:
Bailieborough Library, Co. Cavan Tuesday 6th January 2026
10. 30am – 12.30pm Booking: Spaces limited and booking essential. To book contact Bailieborough Library, Tel: 042 966 5779
HAND DRUMMING WORKSHOPS with Wellness and Rhythm
Discover the power of rhythm to relax, energize, and connect. Join Aidan Dunphy for a 3-week journey into hand drumming designed to support wellbeing and creativity. Participants must commit to attending all 3 sessions. Funded by Creative Ireland via Cavan County Council’s Creative Cavan programme. Venue: Virginia Library, Co. Cavan Date: Thursday 8th January 2026 (Three-week programme) Time: 10.30am - 12.30pm Booking: Spaces limited and booking essential. To book contact Virginia Library Tel: 049 854 8456 or Email virginia@cavancoco.ie
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WINTER WELLNESS 2026
HAND DRUMMING WORKSHOPS with Wellness and Rhythm Discover the power of rhythm to relax, energize, and connect. Join Aidan Dunphy for a 3-week journey into hand drumming designed to support wellbeing and creativity. Participants must commit to attending all 3 sessions. Funded by Creative Ireland via Cavan County Council’s Creative Cavan programme.
Venue: Date: Time:
Johnston Central Library, Cavan, Co. Cavan Thursday 8th January 2026 (Three-week programme)
2.30 - 4.30pm Booking: Spaces limited and booking essential. To book contact Cavan Library Tel: 049 437 8500 or Email: library@cavancoco.ie
ART OF LIFE: GOOD GRIEF CLUB Delivered as part of Art of Life – a project designed to normalise conversations around death, dying and end of life using creative approached to encourage people to plan for end of life. This is a lively and comedic approach using different forms of creativity and humour. Funded by
Creative Ireland Shared Island Health and Wellbeing via Cavan County Council’s Creative Cavan programme. Venue: Virginia Library, Co. Cavan Date: Friday 9th January 2026 Time: 10.30am - 12.30pm Booking: Spaces limited and booking essential. To book contact Virginia Library Tel: 049 854 8456 or Email virginia@cavancoco.ie
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WINTER WELLNESS 2026
MAKE A KEEPSAKE CUSHION Dig out those favourite clothes from the press and transform them into something you’ll treasure every day! This workshop isn’t just for memorial pieces— get creative by turning your child’s baby clothes into a special keepsake or repurposing old Christmas PJs and Halloween costumes into unique décor. Designed for beginners, the course will guide you through: • Learning how to use a sewing machine • Planning and designing your own individual cushion • Using haberdashery and sewing techniques to reshape clothing fabrics into a beautiful, non-clothing piece Venue: Carrickmacross Library, Co. Monaghan Date: Monday 12th January 2026 (four week programme) Time: 10.15am - 12:00 Booking: Spaces limited and booking essential. To book contact Carrickmacross Library: 042 966 1148 or email: carrickmacrosslibrary @monaghancoco.ie
STRIDE & THRIVE: Activator Walking Poles for Body and Mind
Learn how activator poles can improve balance, mobility, and confidence. Learn walking techniques and exercises for strength and balance while discovering how movement supports mental wellbeing. Keep active at home—borrow poles for free from your library! Venue: Virginia Library, Co. Cavan Date: Tuesday 13th January 2026 Time: 11.30am – 12.30pm Booking: Spaces limited and booking essential.
To book contact Virginia Library on 049 854 8456
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WINTER WELLNESS 2026
CREATING 2026 by the Well Within Delivered by The Well Within (Kim Doherty) – creative workshop focusing on nurturing your creative fire introducing journalling and creating a wellness toolbox or vision board. Creative Ireland via Cavan County Council’s Creative Cavan programme.
Venue: Date:
Virginia Library, Co. Cavan Tuesday 13th and Tuesday 20th January 2026 (2 week programme)
Time: 2.00 - 4.00 pm Booking: Spaces limited and booking
essential. To book contact Virginia Tel: 049 854 8456 or Email: virginia@cavancoco.ie
THE GUT-BRAIN LOOP: A TWO-WAY STREET TO HEALTH AND HAPPINESS
Did you know your gut and brain are connected? Discover how this powerful link affects your mood, memory, and mental clarity—and how stress, diet, and lifestyle can disrupt it. This talk will offer practical tips and surprising insights into how keeping your gut happy can help your mind thrive.
Venue: Date: Time:
Johnston Central Library, Cavan, Co. Cavan
Tuesday 13th January 2026
6.30 - 7.30 pm Booking: Spaces limited and booking essential.
To book contact Johnston Central Library, Cavan on 049 437 850
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WINTER WELLNESS 2026
MAKE A KEEPSAKE CUSHION Dig out those favourite clothes from the press and transform them into something you’ll treasure every day! This workshop isn’t just for memorial pieces— get creative by turning your child’s baby clothes into a special keepsake or repurposing old Christmas PJs and Halloween costumes into unique décor. Designed for beginners, the course will guide you through: • Learning how to use a sewing machine • Planning and designing your own individual cushion • Using haberdashery and sewing techniques to reshape clothing fabrics into a beautiful, non-clothing piece Venue: Castleblayney Library, Co. Monaghan Date: Wednesday 14th January 2026 (four week programme) Time: 10.30am - 12:00 Booking: Spaces limited and booking essential. To book contact Castleblayney Library: 042 974 0281 or email castleblayneylibrary@ monaghancoco.ie
FLOW INTO CALM: Tai Chi for Well-being
Experience the gentle, flowing movements of Tai Chi designed to reduce stress, improve balance, and enhance mental well-being. This workshop introduces simple techniques that encourage relaxation and mindfulness. Venue: Cootehill Library, Co. Cavan Date: Wednesday 14th January 2026 Time: 11.00 am – 12.00 Booking: Spaces limited and booking essential.
To book contact Cootehill Library on 049 555 8973
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WINTER WELLNESS 2026
MUSICAL EVENT FOR MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS Local Musicians and
Singers perform a small musical event for mental health awareness. A free gig hosted by local musicians and singers performing traditional/folk and other music in support of mental health awareness during the first Fortnight Festival. Venue:
Outreach Room, Monaghan Town Library, Monaghan Peace Campus, North Road, H18 RP20
Date: Time:
Wednesday 14th January 2026
6.00 - 7.30pm Booking: Limited places available so it is essential to contact Kevin at the HSE Recovery College to book a place on 087 269 2171.
HAND DRUMMING WORKSHOPS WITH WELLNESS AND RHYTHM
Discover the power of rhythm to relax, energize, and connect. Join Aidan Dunphy for a six-week journey into hand drumming designed to support wellbeing and creativity. Participants must commit to attending all six sessions. Funded by Creative Ireland via Cavan County Council’s Creative Cavan programme . Venue: Monaghan Town Library, Co. Monaghan Date: Friday 16th January 2026 (Six-week programme) Time: 10.30 - 11.30am OR 12.00 -1.00pm Booking: Spaces limited and booking essential To book contact Monaghan Town Library on 047 81830
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WINTER WELLNESS 2026
UPCYCLING PROGRAMME During this ‘No Sewing Machine’ programme you will learn how to use embroidery, beading, applique, painting and printing to upcycle clothing. Participants must commit to attending all four sessions. Venue: Monaghan Town Library, Co. Monaghan Date: 2.00 – 4:00pm Booking: Spaces limited and booking essential Time:
Friday 16th January 2026 (Four-week programme)
To book contact Monaghan Town Library on 047 81830
GUIDED TOUR OF MONAGHAN TOWN
Join us for a guided tour of Monaghan town full of stories and yarns of the rich history and eccentric characters that contributed so much to its life and humour. What better way to banish the winter blues with an interesting guided tour followed by complimentary refreshments in the Library! Venue: Meet outside Westenra Hotel, Monaghan, Co. Monaghan Date: Saturday 17th January 2026 Time: 10.30 am - 12:00 Booking: Limited places available so it is essential to contact Kevin at the HSE Recovery College to book a place on 087-269 2171.
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WINTER WELLNESS 2026
MINDING ME Mindfulness through Creativity for children aged 7 to 11
Venue:
Johnston Central Library, Cavan, Co. Cavan Monday 19th January 2026
Date: Time:
4.00 – 5.00pm Booking: Spaces limited and booking
essential To book Tel: 049 437 8500 Email: library@cavancoco.ie
HANDS OF MONAGHAN ‘JANUARY BLUES’
Light show at Monaghan Peace Campus. Individuals and groups in the local community are invited to create colourful handprints symbolising hope, renewal, and connection at the start of the new year. The project uses creativity to counter the “January Blues,” transforming winter into a shared celebration of community and wellbeing.
Handprints will be collected by artist Siobhan Maguire, at locations across Monaghan Town from 6th-10th January in the lead up to the event on Blue Monday. You can also make your handprint on the day. Handprints will be digitised into a large-scale projection on Monaghan Peace Campus, which will include positive mental health messages from participating organisations, including Mental Health Ireland and the HSE. This project is funded by Creative Ireland via Monaghan County Council’s Creative Monaghan programme.
Venue:
Monaghan Peace Campus, Plantation Road, Kilnacloy Monaghan, H18 RP20, Co. Monaghan
Date: Time:
Monday 19th January 2026
5pm - to 8pm: Come and go as you please. 5pm: Light projection begins and continues throughout the evening. 6pm: Casual Choir singalong. Refreshments and information stand in the Peace Campus, where handprints and messages will also be gathered and projected in real time.
Booking: No booking is required.
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WINTER WELLNESS 2026
ONLINE WELLBEING SUPPORT • Cavan Monaghan Connects a new online resource on wellbeing supports and services: www.cavanmonaghanconnects.ie • HSE Balancing Stress free online programme www2.hse.ie/mental-health/self-help/balancing-stress/ • HSE Minding Your Wellbeing www2.hse.ie/wellbeing/minding-your-wellbeing-programme.html • Innovation Recovery Free mental health promotion workshops: www.mymentalhealthrecovery.com • Let’s talk about suicide Free online suicide prevention training: https://traininghub.nosp.ie • Spunout online mental health information and support for young people: https://spunout.ie/navigator/ • Suicide or Survive (SOS) Free online wellness workshops and programmes: https://suicideorsurvive.ie
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WINTER WELLNESS 2026
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We would like to thank all of the organisations, groups and individuals for taking part in Winter Wellness This is an initiative of Cavan Monaghan Connects in
partnership with Cavan County Council’s Library Service, Monaghan County Council’s Library Service, Creative Cavan and Creative Monaghan, HSE Connecting for Life Cavan Monaghan and HSE Cavan Monaghan Mental Health Service Recovery College. Winter Wellness Cavan Monaghan Schedule is available on Cavan Monaghan Connects – your local online hub for mental health and wellbeing information, services, training and local events across Cavan and Monaghan. Learn more at cavanmonaghanconnects.ie Connect with us: @cavanmonaghanconnects ● Facebook ● Instagram ● TikTok ● Bluesky ● LinkedIn or email info@cavanmonaghanconnects.ie
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