The Cavan Centre is a registered charity and is not a commercial centre. Therefore, it is not accessible to the general public. The Centre works with those who are marginalised or disadvantaged in any way. It is available primarily to groups from the North Inner City of Dublin, but can be accessed by groups from all areas who are disadvantaged. We welcome all ages from young people to senior citizens; young people must be accompanied by leaders or staff from their group. See Empowering Communities Programme for details of the types of groups that can access the Centre. If you are not sure if the Cavan Centre can be accessed by you or your group, give us a call and we will let you know.
Once the Centre is satisfied that your group can access our facilities, bookings are made over the phone. We do not accept bookings by email or issue booking forms. Bookings must be secured by the required deposit within 7 working days of being made. If not secured within this period, booking are automatically cancelled and the dates made available to other groups. Deposits can be paid by cheque, bank draft or postal order. Deposits are non-refundable. Payment can also be made by electronic transfer directly to our bank account. We do not have card facilities. Payment can be made by cash, cheque, bank draft or postal order .
When a booking is cancelled with more than two weeks notice, we attempt to fill that space with another booking. If we are not successful in doing so, the booking deposit will not be refunded. If the space is filled, we can refund the deposit in credit to be used for future stays.
Numbers cannot be increased without prior arrangement with the Centre. Groups will be charged for numbers booked, even if less arrive for the stay.
When is the balance of payment made?
The balance of payment due for a stay is made when the group is at the Centre for the stay – full payment can be made in advance if desired.
How far in advance do bookings need to be made?
It is advisable to make bookings as far in advance as possible in order to be sure of getting the date's desired. Weekends and school holiday periods in particular tend to get booked up far in advance, so give us a call early not to be disappointed.
Are there maximum or minimum numbers that apply to groups using the Centre?
As our largest accommodation unit holds 30 (including leaders), this is the maximum number a group can bring for a residential stay. In order to facilitate the maximum number of groups to access the centre, we generally do not allocate more than one accommodation unit to a group - exceptions are occasionally made at quieter times of the year or when groups are known to us. Maximum numbers for day trips can be up to sixty, if we have no other bookings on a given day. We do not apply a minimum number requirement, so a group can consist of two people.
What length of stay can a group do?
Day trip: arrive 10am, depart 5pm same day.
One day residential stay: arrive 10am day one; depart by 10am day two.
Two, three, four, five day residential stay: arrive 10am day one; depart by 10am on the relevant day or 5.30pm the evening before if desired.
Weekend stay: arrive Friday evening 8pm; depart Sunday afternoon by 3.30pm.
Does the Centre provide transport?
We do not provide transport to the Centre. Groups need to make their own arrangements in this regard by accessing community transport or booking private operators. We are happy to provide information to groups on hiring transport or using public transport. For smaller groups travelling from Dublin, Bus Eireann operate a regular daily service from Busaras to Virginia and we can provide details of local taxis or mini buses to transport the group from Virginia to the Centre (approx. 14 km).
Is the Cavan Centre suitable for people with disabilities?
Yes, the Centre welcomes those with disabilities for residential stays or day trips. Tiger’s Lodge accommodation (capacity 20 people) is suitable for residential stays for people with disabilities, as it is all on the ground floor and has a disability friendly toilet and shower room. We make every effort to accommodate the needs of our disability users and to involve them in as many activities as possible. If your disability group is not familiar with the Cavan Centre, staff or leaders are welcome to come for a visit to view our facilities in order to assess their suitability for your groups needs.
Who supervises a group while at the Cavan Centre?
Leaders or staff who accompany a group to the Centre are responsible for the supervision of their group at all times during a stay. This involves being present during activity sessions, which are delivered by our Community Youth workers until 5.30pm. Meal times must also be supervised. On residential stays, leaders supervise the group’s evening activities and relaxation time from 5.30pm until bed time at 12 midnight with the support of Centre staff. A Cavan Centre staff member is present at the Centre at all times when a group is in residence.
Do you cater for people with special dietary needs?
Yes, we are happy to accommodate special dietary needs, in so far as it is possible, once they are notified to us in advance of a visit.
Can our group choose the activities we can do on a stay?
Yes, activity programmes are planned by our Community Youth workers in conjunction with a group’s young people and leaders - this can be done in advance or when the group arrive at the Centre. Bad weather may result in changes having to be made to a planned programme for safety reasons.
What items do you need to bring to the Centre for a stay?
Comfortable clothing for activities – not your very best and sufficient changes depending on the length of your stay.
Swimsuit/togs or shorts, t-shirt or old sweatshirt, for wearing under wet suit for water sports.
Two pairs runners - one old pair to get wet for water sports.
Towels & toiletries; soap, shower gel, shampoo etc.
A warm jacket / light jacket depending on the time of year.
Torch for night walk (young people’s groups)
CDs for disco (young people’s groups). CD players, DVDs, board games, musical instruments etc may be brought for use when not in activity sessions
PLASTIC BAGS – essential for taking home wet towels, clothes, runners etc.
Any necessary medication.
We provide bedding so it is not necessary to bring a sleeping bag. We do not provide towels. The Centre does not have a shop. Groups are welcome to bring their own snacks and treats.
Is alcohol permitted at the Centre?
The Cavan Centre is strictly an alcohol and drug-free Centre - we ask all visiting groups to respect this policy. Groups who are found with alcohol or drugs on the premises will be asked to leave.
