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Irish Independent
11-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Serie of Heritage Week events planned at Sligo Abbey focussing on tours, tunes and song
And for Sligo Abbey, a heritage site that traces its foundation to the mid-13th century beginnings of Sligo town, it's a theme that couldn't be more appropriate. With this in mind, the OPW staff at Sligo Abbey has arranged a series of special events for every day of Heritage Week, all of which take their inspiration from 'foundations' of one kind or another. Sligo Abbey OPW Information Officer and Guide Trisha O'Loughlin will get events started on the 16th when she delves into the intriguing world of Irish mythology, beliefs and customs relating to Lough Gill and the foundation of Sligo itself. What promises to be fascinating hour-long talks will begin at 11am and 3:30pm, on the 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th. Admission is free and no booking is required. On Wednesday, August 20th at 2pm, the Abbey presents 'Centuries of Sound', an event that will explore the rich and influential heritage of Irish traditional music in Sligo. It will include a talk by the musician, archivist and author Gregory Daly, whose essay 'Transcending the Limits of Our Time, Traditional Music in County Sligo' was published in the book 'Sligo, History and Society'. 'Centuries of Sound' will be followed by trad-fusion tunes and songs from The Cloister Boys, made up of two OPW staff at the Abbey, Barry Mulligan on ukulele, vocals and bodhran, and Harry Keaney, on banjo, whistle and bodhran. The Cloister Boys will also perform on Sundays 17th and 24th at 2pm. Guided tours of Sligo Abbey are available throughout the week. On Thursday, August 21st at 2pm, Harry Keaney will give a special tour focusing on the Dominicans, the religious order that occupied the Abbey for about 500 years from the mid-13th century, and whose successors remain in Sligo, in the Friary in High Street, to this day. Sounds and vibration are arguably the most primal of human experiences and on Friday, August 22nd at 8:30am and 6pm, there's the opportunity to experience a deeply immersive Gong Bath led by Marielle Barends, where sounds and vibrations will guide you into a meditative and restful state. Admission is free but booking is essential, contact the abbey or emailing sligoabbey@ Like to try charcoal drawing in the Abbey? All ages and abilities will be catered for with 'Art in theAbbey' on Saturday, August 23rd between 10:30am and 3:30pm. Admission is free but places must be booked in advance by emailing sligoabbey@ Children must be supervised; materials will be provided. Heritage Week will come to a close at Sligo Abbey on Sunday, August 24th with a number of guided tours, and a performance at 2pm by The Cloister Boys. Sligo Abbey's Head Guide, Dr. Andrew Whitefield, said he hoped there would be something for everyone, with events on every day through Heritage Week. 'The theme of 'Foundations' is perfect for Sligo Abbey, a historic site that traces its origins to the foundation of Sligo town itself. The Abbey has borne witness to all that's happened on the shores of the Garavogue River for almost eight centuries. You haven't truly experienced Sligo town if you haven't visited its stunning Abbey, with its 13th century origins. And this is something more and more people are discovering.. 'This year, we are on target for almost 50,000 visitors, an extraordinary number when only a few years ago, that number was fewer than 20,000. 'We're very proud to be able to offer such a rich historical experience to travellers along the Wild Atlantic. And Heritage Week is the ideal opportunity to spread that positive message far and wide.'
Irish Independent
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Sligo Abbey hosting Seniors and Carers' Appreciation Day as part of Bealtaine festival
It is part of the national 'Bealtaine Festival, 'Celebrating the Arts & Creativity As We Age.' Admission is free all day, opening from 10:00am, with last admissions at 5:15pm. No pre-booking necessary, and visitors may come and go as they please. There will be events throughout the day, including talks, tours, and an afternoon sing-along. Following an introduction by the OPW's head guide in Sligo Abbey, Dr. Andrew Whitefield, the first full tour of the day, lasting about an hour, will begin at 10.30am, with another full tour starting at 12.30pm. There will also be shorter talks as required for those who may find walking difficult throughout the Abbey ruins. The sing-along music session with Abbey guides Barry Mulligan and Harry Keaney – The Cloister Boys – will take place from 2:30pm to 3:30pm, followed by a question and answer session on the Abbey and its history until 4pm. Dr. Whitefield said it's all part of the Abbey's programme of events and initiatives for senior citizens in the month of May to align with the Bealtaine Festival, a countrywide initiative that the Abbey is delighted to be part of it. He added: ''In addition, it's vital the Abbey serves its community, and I see this as an ideal opportunity to acknowledge and pay tribute to the seniors amongst us for all they contribute and teach us. It's something we are very conscious of in the Abbey where, every day, we not only share almost 800 years of history but also raise awareness of, and learn from, the extraordinary contribution of our elders and those who have gone before us. We also acknowledge today's carers, and the key role they play in the lives of so many people and families.' Dr. Whitefield said local people will be particularly welcome on the day, along with visitors from across the country and around the world. He continued: 'We'd love to hear stories about the Abbey from local residents or people who are natives or lived in the surrounding area, people sometimes referred to as 'Children of the Abbey.' 'Visitors with local links often tell us fascinating tales of visiting the Abbey as children, perhaps having snuck into its grounds to play. These are the stories we want to hear, as they enrich our understanding of the place and its surrounding Abbeyquarter community. ADVERTISEMENT 'It's all part of handing-on, of sharing our stories and history. And the Abbey's Seniors and Carers Appreciation Day is an ideal opportunity to do just that,' Dr. Whitefield said.
