To mark Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2026, Sligo County Council will deliver an ambitious multi-disciplinary cultural programme from July to November 2026, celebrating Europe’s cultural diversity, shared heritage and democratic values.

Bringing together artists, cultural organisations and international partners from across Europe, the programme will position Sligo as a vibrant hub for cultural dialogue and exchange. A major highlight will be the internationally renowned World Press Photo Exhibition, which will be presented in Queen Maeve Square during August and September 2026, showcasing award-winning photojournalism that captures some of the most significant global events and social issues of recent years.

The wider programme will feature performances, exhibitions, film screenings, literary events and collaborative projects across Sligo’s festivals, venues and public spaces. Audiences can look forward to European-focused initiatives from Cairde Sligo Arts Festival, Sligo Jazz Festival, Tread Softly Festival, Adaptation Film Festival, Sligo Baroque Festival, Sligo Live Festival and the Yeats Society, alongside youth, visual arts and publishing projects developed with partners in Belgium, the Netherlands, Lithuania and Spain.

Spanning photography, music, literature, visual art, film and youth engagement, the programme will celebrate Sligo’s strong cultural connections across Europe, foster new creative partnerships and provide opportunities for audiences to engage with contemporary European culture and ideas.

Funded as part of the Culture Programme for Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2026

This year SAS is delivering a series of free CPD sessions for full-time, professional Sligo-based artists, both online and in-person.

To date four session have now taken place covering: Finance & Tax; Organising & Documenting Work; Public Art: Proposals and Briefs and most recently a session on Creative Proposals & Funding Applications.

The fifth session in the series “Social 101” will be delivered by Kari Cahill and will focus on building your online presence. This session is planned for Wednesday 5th August (online).

Please note, spaces are reserved for: full-time, professional Sligo-based artists

Register your interest now by emailing: arts@sligococo.ie

In June, The Arts Service Department held public meetings with communities in four areas: Dromore West, Easkey, Collooney and Castlebaldwin. The meetings were to allow local residents to hear about two planned public art projects in their areas and to be part of the conversation around what these might look like.

The sessions were facilitated by Rayne Booth, the Public Art Project Manager for the commissions and we were joined along the way by Cllr. Thomas Walshe, Cllr. Liam Brennan, Cllr. Gerard Mullaney and Brian Flynn Director of Services, Sligo County Council.

Members of the public were also invited to be part of the process by participating in an online survey or via written proposals before July 12th 2026.

Submissions are currently being reviewed and will help us design the briefs for the artists who are selected for both commissions which will happen in 2027.

Further information on Sligo’s Public Art programme can be found here: https://sligoarts.ie/public-art/

Sligo’s Bealtaine Festival happened in various places and spaces throughout the county this year, so a big thank you to everyone who got involved by either hosting or participating.

The 2026 programme was truly multi-disciplinary and boasted performances, workshops, studio visits, residencies, gatherings, sharings, information days and our very own Dawn Chorus event compliments of Sligo Orpheus Choir. Coupled with this, SAS introduced two new opportunities for professional artists aged 50+, one of which was a residency opportunity at the renowned Tyrone Guthrie Centre.

Image: Slow Trad Music Sessions at No.45, Sligo’s Centre for Indepedent Living

The first stage (online survey) of the public consultation for Sligo’s new arts plan is now complete. The arts plan will set out Sligo County Council’s vision, mission and strategic priorities for the arts in Sligo over the next five years. Phase Two will now commence with focus groups and a series of consultations with the local arts sector and key stakeholders.

Further information: arts@sligococo.ie