Sligo Town Night Time Economy Enrichment & Diversification Grants awarded
As part of the Sligo Town Night Time Economy (NTE) Pilot, the Sligo Town Night Time Economy Enrichment & Diversification Grants have been awarded to nine successful applicants for 2026. The Sligo Town NTE Pilot is delivered by Sligo BID in partnership with Sligo County Council and is funded through the Night Time Economy Unit of the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport.
The fund supports the trial of new and innovative events aimed at growing and diversifying Sligo Town’s night-time economy between Sunday and Thursday.
All applications were assessed through a competitive process by an independent, representative panel, who were impressed by the ambition, creativity and range of proposals submitted. Grants were awarded to support the following projects:
- Trip around the world in Sligo,
- Spanish & Latin American Night,
- Evening Creative Sessions at Hyde Bridge Gallery,
- Bring your own merch: a sustainable night time arts activation with Spilt Milk,
- Spreading the news under the Sligo Sky: an Immersive Ceili Theatre Experience,
- Ukrainian Culture Night- Sligo,
- Raised on Songs & Stories- Evening Walks through Sligo Town,
- Focal Factor Live! and
- Old Style, Folk Style and a little bit of Poetry
Edel Doran, Sligo BID’s Sligo Town Night Time Economy Advisor, said:
“You can see from the above titles, that there are some interesting evenings ahead for Sligo Town. It’s wonderful to see such a mix across applicants from businesses and cultural spaces to event producers and we hope there will be a ripple effect beyond the grant funded window.”
Martin Lydon, Sligo County Council Chief Executive said:
“Sligo Town’s Night Time Economy Pilot began in 2024 and its impact is clear year on year. For example, the Oak Moon Late Night Café was supported in Year One and, now in year three, has become a cultural hub where event producers can test new concepts and audiences can enjoy diverse programming. This pilot supports both the current and next wave of event producers, which is vital to the future of our night-time economy, while also backing local businesses and enhancing the range of unique experiences available across Sligo Town.”
