17th March
St. Patrick’s Day Parade Festival
Sligo Town
A street parade to celebrate all that is Irish, fun, for all the family on this National Holiday. Local talent Irish Music and much more. www.stpatricksdaysligo.com For a list of all the St. Patrick’s Day parades in Co. Sligo you will find a listing on www.discoverireland.ie
13th – 15th April
Sligo Feis Ceoil
Various venues in Sligo Town
Since its inception in 1903, Sligo Feis Ceoil has welcomed and rewarded the finest musicians, artists and thespians to Sligo. Boasting a wide range of categories, Sligo Feis Ceoil is a renowned platform for budding artists and established talent to compete against like- minded and gifted individuals. Sligo Feis Ceoil provides a platform for young actors, musicians and artists who wish to express themselves and benefit from the adjudication they receive. www.sligofeisceoil.ie
1st May – 3rd May
Sligo Summer Festival May Weekender
Stephen Street Carpark, Sligo Town
The Sligo Summer Festival has been pulling crowds from all over the country and beyond since 2012, and it’s set to wedge the car park once again. Previous years has seen Example, Paddy Casey, Mike Denver, Aslan, Sister Sledge, Boney M, Wheatus,The Riptide Movement, Ryan Sheridan, The Saw Doctors, The Strypes, Jerry Fish, The Stunning and Sharon Shannon & Mundy, Whigfield, B*Witched and Nathan Carter headline with many other amazing Irish acts also grace the stage in what has become the biggest festival in the Northwest. As always, it’s only €3 Admission and U8 Kids go free. This Community Festival relies on the people of Sligo coming along and spreading the word, so be sure to tell all your family and friends from afar. www.sligosummerfestival.ie
1st – 4th May
Sligo International Chamber Music Festival
Sligo International Chamber Music Festival is a highlight in the annual calendar of music events. The festival offers the opportunity to experience high standards of programming through a fresh choice of artists performing. www.sligochambermusic.ie
3rd May
Sligo Races – Peaky Blinders NH Day
Sligo Racecourse, Cleveragh Road, Sligo Town
Sport your flat caps – ladies enjoy lavish extravaganza of era. Prizes for best dressed male and female. Peaky Blinder’s Day is an annual event at Sligo Races and takes place on the first race meeting of the season. It’s an incredibly fun day as all ages can participate. www.countysligoraces.com
4th – 10th May
Cos Cos Sean Nós Festival Rathcormac, Co. Sligo
Now in its 13th year, the Cos Cos Sean Nós Festival 2020 brings together some of the country’s finest Sean Nós dancers, musicians, singers, poets and storytellers. It runs from May 4th to 10th 2020 in the shadow of the famous Benbulben mountain in the heart of Yeat’s Country, Co Sligo. The festival has something for everyone, both young and old. Why not join us and immerse yourself in a feast of traditional culture and see some real
community spirit in motion. www.coscos.ie
9th May
Darkness into Light
IT Sligo, Knocknarea Arena, Sligo
Darkness into Light is the annual walking event and fundraiser held, primarily, across the island of Ireland but also takes place in locations around the world. Participants meet before dawn at 4.15am and walk or run for 5km to meet the sunrise. www.pieta.ie
19th May
Sligo Races (E) – Active Retirement Day
Sligo Racecourse, Cleveragh Road, Sligo Town
Details tbc. www.countysligoraces.com
29th – 31st May
Sligo County Fleadh
Riverstown, Co. Sligo
Sligo County Fleadh is a competition that takes place annually and incorporates Irish dancing, music, song and storytelling. There are also a number of events in different locations around the town including street entertainment and traditional sessions in the village over the weekend. www.sligocountyfleadh.ie
31st May
Benbulben Motor Show
Grange, Co. Sligo
It’s getting bigger each year! Tarmac grounds, scenic run, Family Day out in the beautiful Northwest, the show for rare motors big and small from vintage motorcycles to military trucks – stick May 31st in the Diary! Facebook: Benbulben Motor Show 2020
June – September
Free Guided Walking Tours Sligo Town
A two-hour free guided historical walking tour of Sligo town. This is a truly informative tour with a range of top-class local guides. Learn all about the history of Sligo, the architecture, the people, the food…the list goes on. The guides tell stories to bring the past to life and some will even play a tune or two. Ask one of the travel advisors for more information.
5th – 7th June
Sligo Summer Festival
For the first time, this year the Sligo Summer Festival is having a June Weekend as well as May and August! This festival never fails to draw crowds from near and far, creating a wonderful buzz in the beautiful town that is Sligo. And at only €3 entry per night and children under 8 free, what’s not to love about this ever-growing festival! www.sligosummerfestival.ie
12th -14th June
Yeats Day
Sligo Town
A birthday celebration for Ireland’s national poet; with music, talks, poetry, cake and a trip to The Lake Isle of Innisfree www.yeatssociety.com
12th -14th June
Paddy Killoran Traditional Music Festival
Ballymote, Co. Sligo
The Paddy Killoran Traditional Music Festival is held on the third weekend of June each year in Ballymote Co. Sligo. Paddy Killoran is regarded among Sligo’s greatest fiddlers and the Festival features Irish traditional music, song and dance events throughout the weekend to commemorate his memory and musical legacy. Facebook: Cce Paddy Killoran Sligo
12th -14th June
11th Wild Atlantic Shanty Festival
Rosses Point, Co. Sligo Sligo’s Maritime Village is hosting the Annual International Festival. Lots of fun with a great standard of music, song, poetry and performances. The festival runs to celebrate our Maritime Heritage, promote the work of the RNLI, to make new friends at home and abroad, and to have a lot of fun. www.wildatlanticshanty.ie
19th – 21st June
Knocklane Festival Weekend
Maugherow, Sligo
Knocklane Festival weekend is hosted by Benbulben Comhaltas. A great weekend comprising of music, song, dance and workshops along the Wild Atlantic Way. www.comhaltas.ie
3rd – 5th July
Connacht Fleadh
Sligo Town
details tbc.
4th July
Sligo Camino Trek
34km from Dromahair, Co. Leitrim to Coolaney, Co. Sligo and discover the Sligo Camino. The Camino follows the Sligo Way through some of the finest scenery in the West of Ireland. The route is a challenging mixture of tracks, trails, forest paths, finishing with 8km of country lanes around the Annaghmore Estate. Route highlights include; Historic 16th century Creevelea Abbey on the banks of the River Bonet, Skirting between Lough Gill and Slish Woods, Yeats’ Lake Isle of Inishfree, Slieve Dhá Éan and the secluded mountain lake of Lough Lumman, Ballygawley Lough and Union Wood, The Teeling memorial to the Battle of Carrignagat in 1798, tranquil back roads through the Annagh Beg estate and the best cup of tea you’ve ever had at the finish. www.sligocamino.ie
4th – 12th July
Cairde Sligo Arts Festival
Sligo Town, Co. Sligo
An unmissable week of culture, family-friendly events, visual art and street-theatre. Cairde will launch with Park Fest, the annual day-long event in Sligo’s Peace Park. Songs By the Sea, intimate gigs in some of Sligo’s most loved sea-side cafes will return, as will Cairde Visual, the open submission visual art exhibition in conjunction with The Model. www.cairdefestival.com
12th July
Sligo Races
Sligo Racecourse, Cleveragh Road, Sligo Town Details tbc. www.countysligoraces.com
12th July
Sligo Stages Rally
Sligo Park Hotel Sligo Stages Rally is an annual event run by Connacht Motor Club with special stages run in the surrounding Sligo and Leitrim areas. www.connachtmotorclub.com
18th July TBC
Sligo County Agricultural Show
Riverstown, Co. Sligo
This very special annual event, celebrating rural living, has been taking place in Riverstown since 1994! “The voluntary team of Sligo County Agricultural Show have organised lots to entertain our visitors on the day. There will be the usual Bonny Baby, Little Miss Riverstown, Little Master Riverstown, Glamorous Granny, Best & Most Appropriately Dressed Lady and for the first time ever a Dashing Dude section. As well as free entry to the Show, children can enjoy free face painting and each child will receive a ticket to enjoy a free pony ride,
thanks to Lough Bo Equestrian Centre. www.sligocountyagrishow.com
21st – 26th July
Sligo Jazz Project & International Summer School Festival
Sligo Town, Co. Sligo
Sligo International Jazz Summer School is a 6-day event featuring workshops, masterclasses and jam sessions with some of the world’s finest jazz educators and musicians. Previous festival acts have included Mike Stern/ Victor Wooten Band, Dhafer Youssef, Kenny Werner, Avishai Cohen, Yellowjackets, Christian Scott, The Bad Plus and many more. Sligo Jazz Festival also features quality pub/hotel/cafe sessions with the best of Irish and international jazz acts, plus jam sessions featuring summer school participants and tutors alike. www.sligojazz.ie
26th & 27th July
HAGSTRAVAGANZA
at The White Hag Brewery Ballymote, Co. Sligo
Celebrating their 6th birthday with an International Brewery Festival. As ever our ambition for HAGSTRAVAGANZA is to bring a mix of brilliant brewers to Sligo for an International brewery festival. Some are established as global industry leaders, while some are breaking onto the scene. All of them are breweries we admire, and we think you’ll do the same. Taking place in our brewery in Sligo there’ll be a barrell-aged talk on the Friday evening, and on Saturday we’ll be pouring 60+ beers that have never poured before in Ireland for both Irish and International beer fans. www.eventbrite.ie
30th July – 7th August
The 61st Yeats International Summer School
Sligo Town, Co. Sligo The Yeats International Summer School is a highly prestigious academic summer school catering for people of all stages of learning and achievement, and of all ages. Directors Professor Matthew Campbell and Professor Lauren Arrington will present an intriguing programme that follows in the fine Summer School tradition of offering a unique learning experience through the sharing of ideas and opinions, during both the formal and informal events of the programme. www.yeatssociety.com
6th – 9th August
Sligo Summer Festival August Weekender
Stephen Street Carpark, Sligo Town
The Sligo Summer Festival has been pulling crowds from all over the country and beyond since 2012, and it’s set to wedge the car park once again. Previous years has seen Example, Paddy Casey, Mike Denver, Aslan, Sister Sledge, Boney M, Wheatus, The Riptide Movement, Ryan Sheridan, The Saw Doctors, The Strypes, Jerry Fish, The Stunning and Sharon Shannon & Mundy, Whigfield, B*Witched and Nathan Carter headline with many other amazing Irish acts also grace the stage in what has become the biggest festival in the Northwest. As always, it’s only €3 Admission and U8 Kids go free. This Community Festival relies on the people of Sligo coming along and spreading the word, so be sure to tell all your family and friends from afar. www.sligosummerfestival.ie
8th – 12th August TBC
Tubbercurry Old Fair Day Festival
Tubbercurry, Co. Sligo
The Tubbercurry fair is becoming one of the leading fair day festivals in the country focusing on Irish heritage, crafts and culture with a host of family friendly activities. It offers a wide variety of entertainment for both young and old over this five-day event such as sports games, music and singing, workshops and a family fun day. www.oldfairday.ie
12th – 16th August The Michael Coleman Trad Festival Gurteen, Co. Sligo The Coleman Traditional Festival, dedicated to the world-renowned fiddle player Michael Coleman, takes place in Ceoláras Coleman. This unique event takes place once a year and is firmly established as one of the best traditional music festivals in Ireland, attracting people from all over the world. Michael Coleman’s influence on fiddle playing in Sligo was huge, and his legacy lives on, particularly in Gurteen with the Coleman Music Centre named in his honour. www.colemanirishmusic.com
15th – 23rd August
National Heritage Week
Various Venues around Sligo
Each year, during the last week of August, many national and hundreds of local community organisations participate by organising events throughout the country. Many of the events that take place during the week are free and the programme highlights the abundance of great work that is carried out in all communities in Ireland to preserve and promote our
natural, built and cultural heritage. www.heritageweek.ie
18th August
Sligo Races (E)
Sligo Racecourse, Cleveragh Road, Sligo Town Details tbc. www.countysligoraces.com
29th August The 2020
Annual Warriors Run
Strandhill, Co. Sligo
Each year runners from all over Ireland and various parts of the world, converge to Strandhill to follow in the footsteps of our ancient warriors. The Warriors Run takes competitors from the Cannon Gun at the beachfront in Strandhill to the top of Knocknarea, around Queen Maeve’s Cairn and back to the beachfront again. Drawing a close to the event, attendees can kick back, relax and enjoy live music and street entertainment on the beachfront. www.warriorsfestival.com
18th September
Culture Night
Sligo Town and County
Sligo’s leading arts and cultural organisations open their doors with hundreds of late-night free events, tours, talks & performances. Returning for its 15th year, this event is part of an all-island celebration of culture, heritage and arts. An unforgettable event for you, your
family and friends to enjoy. www.culturenight.ie
18th – 20th September
Remembering the Armada
Streedagh, Grange, Co. Sligo
Part of an annual series of events commemorating the Spanish Armada, this festival strives to retell the fascinating story of the ill-fated voyage of 1588 through the medium of music, song, dance and much more. Celebrating the links between Ireland and Spain, this event features lectures and parades as well as an 8km race, which will follow the route taken by the Spanish captain Francisco de Cuéllar as he escaped the Spanish Armada wrecks at Streedagh Beach in 1588. www.spanisharmdaireland.com
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