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A Celebration Of Imagination With The Vibrant Cairde Arts Festival in Sligo – OUR CROSSINGS
Last Updated on the 7th of August, 2025
Our hometown, Sligo, located in the northwest of Ireland, is known for its unspoiled natural beauty and rugged coast. There’s also lush green countryside and rolling hills.
Besides nature, Sligo is a lively town with an excellent calendar of events and festivals, some of which occur annually. During the summertime, visitors can experience a special dose of magic as an array of art, music, artists, and their audiences invade the county to celebrate the festivals.
There’s the Wild Atlantic Shanty Festival with a Pirate Parade, Shanty Worhops and Blessing of the Boats. There’s Sligo County Fleadh in Easky bringing together dancers, performers and musicians for thunderous traditional music celebrations.
And there’s also my favourite – the Cairde Sligo Arts Festival, which runs from the 6th to the 13th of July 2024, with a jam-packed schedule.
As the much-awaited festival is coming to Sligo next week, I decided to write a post about it, especially as it includes the show-stopping performance by the newly formed spectacle company, VolkiDána.
It is similar to last year’s LUXE The Seas Above performance, which I am going to highlight in this post.
Read More: A Local’s Guide To Exploring Wonderful Caves Of Keash In Sligo, Ireland
What is the Cairde Sligo Arts Festival
Cairde Sligo Arts Festival is a festival for the whole family showcasing a dynamic mix of art from national, international and local artists who deliver circus, film, visual art, literature and family-friendly entertainment as well as workshops, poetry and exhibitions.
This year, festival-goers will be treated to stunning visual performances bursting with vibrant colours.
We visited the Cairde Sligo Arts Festival for the last few years and absolutely loved the experience as the town felt alive with an incredible atmosphere and things were happening all over Sligo.
To find acts and shows, simply check the Cairde Sligo Arts Festival web page, flip through the event brochure or follow them on social media.
I would suggest going to a mix of shows, such as paid and free, as well as different types of shows to get the most from your Cairde Sligo Arts Festival experience.
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Where Does It Take Place
The Cairde Sligo Arts Festival takes place in County Sligo with artists performing in various pubs, parks, venues, on the street and in outdoor locations.
- Family-friendly events involve Cairde in Sligo’s Peace Park on Sun 07 July | 1 to 6pm where you can experience Doris & Mabel’s Book Club by Sanita Circus and savour melodic performances by the Dollys and Dukes Uke Super Group, Stephen O’Dowd and Aremoja Drummers & Dancers.
- Musical highlights can be enjoyed at various locations such as the Model, Markree Castle, Hawk’s Well Theatre and various pubs
- Photography exhibitions and visual art can be found at the Model and Hamilton Gallery on Castle St
- The poetry and film event Moonstruck by filmmaker Laura Sheeran can be experienced at the National Surf Centre in Strandhill
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Last Year’s Festival Highlight
Last summer, we were among the hundreds of spectators flocking to the small seaside village of Mullaghmore to witness the renowned performance group LUXE deliver the stunning act of The Seas Above, a spectacularly illuminated performance.
The widely anticipated performance. was a dazzling cluster of fire sculptures, music, mechanical puppetry, and processional and costume displays taking place on Mullagmore sandy beach at dusk
Crowds were mesmerised by a theatrical otherworld of fire, light, and fluidly shifting dancers.
Those who didn’t get to see the show by the coast could be captivated by the illuminated event in the Sligo town centre as the LUXE navigated to the Old Quay.
Read More: 20+ Memorable Things To Do In Sligo For Every Type Of Traveller
This Year Highlights
There are too many to choose from, but I am gonna highlight a few shows and acts worth looking into, such as:
- You can enjoy BBC Radio 2 Folk Singer of the Year, Ríoghnach Connolly’s musical performance at the Model
- You can experience a lively music show by Felip Carbonell’s RUMBA EXPERIENCE showcasing Catalan Rumba, a musical style created and developed by the Catalan Gypsy Community in Barcelona City.
- You can meet Adania Shibli, a Palestine-born writer who was awarded the Qattan Young Writer’s Award at the Clayton Hotel
- You can watch an immersive outdoor circus performance by Prologue taking place in the forest at dusk
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Other Festivals Worth Checking Out in Sligo
Sligo has a packed calendar of festivals and events for visitors and locals to enjoy. Some of the best include:
- Sligo Jazz Festival takes place from 23-28 July 2024. and features masterclasses, workshops and jam sessions with some of the world’s best jazz musicians and educators.
- Ballygawley Music Festival, founded in 2019, is one of the North West`s biggest music festivals. It takes place from the 18th until the 21st of July in Ballygawley Village, Co Sligo.
- Knocklane Traditional Music Festival takes place from 15th to 16th June and brings a weekend of dance and music to Sligo
Read More: A Fantastic Walk For A Weekend: Benbulben Forest Walk In Beautiful Sligo
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Now, over to you!
Have you been to the Cairde Sligo Arts Festival? Let us know in the comments!
Let us know if you are plotting a visit to Sligo and have travel-related questions!
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