In a landmark moment for Sligo and Ireland, The Red Dress Embroidery Project will make its first visit to Ireland as part of the launch celebrations of Sligo PEACEPLUS.
It will be shown at City Hall, Sligo from Monday 12th May to Thursday 15th May. Admission is free. Exhibition times as follows:
- Monday 12th May 10:00am – 5:00pm
- Tuesday 13th May: 9:00am – 5:00pm
- Wednesday 14th May: 9:00am – 5:00pm
- Thursday 15th May: Private viewing: 9:00am – 2:00pm/ Open viewing: 2:00pm – 5:00pm
The award-winning Red Dress has 87 panels embroidered over 14 years by 380 people in 51 countries, including Ireland. Artist, Kirstie McLeod initially sought to unite people globally across borders and boundaries with the concept. However, as it evolved, The Red Dress became a platform for self-expression and an opportunity for marginalised voices to be amplified, and prompting conversations on important and frequently uncomfortable issues: a perfect match for the outcomes of Sligo PEACEPLUS Co-designed Local Community Peace Action Plan.
The Sligo PEACEPLUS Action Plan was developed in co-design consultation. It is made up of 15 projects across three themes that seek to enhance community integration and cohesion. PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) has awarded funding of €3.604 Million to support the Plan, which implements a diverse range of projects that address local challenges and promote peace and prosperity across County Sligo and with cross-border participation from now until the end of summer 2028.
The projects which will span the entire county will use activities, including sports, art, podcasting, technology, history, music, fashion, biodiversity and the circular economy, to involve communities marginalised by geography, race, ability, gender, sexuality, religion, age, disadvantage, and having conflict legacy. It is in this way, exhibiting the Red Dress speaks to participation and what can be achieved over time when groups come together. The exhibit will be supplemented by a local project to decorate a calico cloak for Sligo PEACEPLUS.
For more information on the Red Dress for Sligo PEACEPLUS and the various projects that people can get involved in, check out www.sligococo.ie /peace or email peace@sligococo.ie .
• The Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) is a North South Body with the statutory remit for managing EU funding programmes within Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland.
• PEACEPLUS is a cross-border funding Programme designed to support peace and prosperity across Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland. The total value of PEACEPLUS is €1.14 billion.
• PEACEPLUS is co-funded by the European Union, the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Government of Ireland, and the Northern Ireland Executive.
• For more information on the artist and the Red Dress Project, please visit https://reddressembroidery.com/
