Sligo Celebrates Heritage Week 2025: ‘Exploring Our Foundations’ (16–24 August)

Heritage Week 2025 in Sligo is bursting with great events and unique experiences that all follow the theme of this years national programming – “Exploring Our Foundations”. All of the events in Sligo can be seen at on the Heritage Week website here. Heritage week runs between August 16th – 24th.

Highlights Across the County

• Popular events taking place during Heritage Week

  • Try the Pipes – Dive into the magic of the uilleann pipes with a free taster session hosted by Na Píobairí Uilleann at Hawk’s Well Theatre on 16 August, 14:00–16:00

  • Art in the Abbey – Explore Sligo Abbey through charcoal in an outdoor drawing workshop led by Martina Butler on 23 August, 10:30–15:30

  • The Cloister Boys – Enjoy trad-fusion music with OPW guides Barry Mulligan and Harry Keaney inside the evocative walls of Sligo Abbey on 17, 20, and 24 August

  • Centuries of Sound – Join Gregory Daly for an immersive talk on South Sligo’s rich traditional music legacy, featuring live tunes with his daughter, Ciara, followed by The Cloister Boys, on 20 August, 14:00–15:00

  • Imagining Sligo’s First People – Hear award-winning author Monica Corish in conversation with Susan O’Keeffe at the Yeats Building on 22 August, 17:00–18:30—to explore the prehistoric roots beneath Knocknarea

  • Local Sligo Stories – A touching tribute to John Mullaney through a video recording event at The Nest on 20 August, 19:00–20:30

• Libraries & Community Workshops

  • Harvest Knot Workshops – Make traditional harvest knots and learn their history in sessions at Sligo Central Library, Tubbercurry, and Ballymote libraries on 19 and 22 August. Booking required

  • The Pig in Irish Mythology – Joe McGowan shares folklore wisdom at Sligo Local Studies on 21 August, 13:00–13:45

  • Lunchtime Spotlight: The Yeats Sisters – Discover the legacies of Lily and Elizabeth Yeats at Sligo Central Library on 19 August, 13:00–13:30.

• Heritage Walks & Exploration

  • Walking Tour of Ballymote – Delve into historic architecture and local craftsmanship on a guided tour beginning at Ballymote Castle on 24 August, 15:30–16:30

  • Discovering the Layers of Court Abbey (Achonry) – Visit The Knocknashee Community Hub on 24 August, 16:00–18:00, to explore Court Abbey’s legacy

  • Exploring Geevagh’s Heritage – Join a heritage walk and storytelling event at Geevagh Community Centre on 23 August, 14:00–16:00

  • Celebrating Traveller Life and Culture – Engage with a vibrant display of Traveller heritage and traditions at Cranmore Road, Sligo, on 21 August, 10:00–13:00

Why This Matters

Heritage Week is a nationwide celebration of Ireland’s cultural, architectural, and natural legacy—and this year marks its 20th anniversary under the theme “Exploring our Foundations”. Sligo’s curated programme invites participants to connect with land, stories, traditions, and community—uniting all corners of the county in a vibrant tapestry of shared discovery.