Talk on The Sligo Rovers Showgrounds Redevelopment

by Rhatigan Architects 

Talk

Wednesday 23rd September 2026, 20:00pm

Council Chamber, City Hall, Sligo, F91PP44

FREE but prebooking is essential via Eventbrite as spaces are limited.

A talk by Rhatigan Architects on the proposed redevelopment of the Showgrounds for Sligo Rovers Football Club, outlining the journey of the project to date, the key design ideas that have shaped the proposals, and the next steps towards delivery.

The redevelopment will transform the Showgrounds into an approximately 6,000-capacity, all-seater stadium through the construction of two new stands, a new entrance plaza and a mixed-use building along Church Hill Road. The proposals seek to improve the match-day experience for supporters, players and visitors while respecting the unique character and history of the ground.

Beyond football, the project will provide new community and mixed-use facilities, helping to ensure the Showgrounds remains active throughout the week and contributes positively to the wider vibrancy of this part of Sligo town.

Gavin Phelan is a Director with Rhatigan Architects, Sligo. Gavin will be joined by Trevor James, Director, and Hugh Haran, Project Architect to tell the story of the project.

The History of Sligo Town Hall: The Time, Politics and Ambition

Talk

Friday 25th September 2026, 20:00pm

Council Chamber, City Hall, Sligo, F91PP44

FREE but prebooking is essential via Eventbrite as spaces are limited.

A talk by Sligo County Council's former Senior Architect, Sean Martin FRIAI which will focus on the history of the development of Sligo Town Hall in terms of its time, politics, and ambition of those who envisaged  a municipal building fit for a market town and port in the North West of Victorian Ireland.

Seán will review the process of site selection, the process of seeking funding, and the selection of an architect and building design through the competitive competitive process; the difficult construction process and those who supported elements of the building as the Corporation faced economic challenges.

Seán will also look at the Town Hall in its current form and the changes introduced following its refurbishment in 2000as on of the Borough Council's Millenium projects.

Talk on The History of Landed Estates of County Sligo

by Paul Connolly

Talk

Thursday 24th September 2026, 20:00pm

Lecture Room A004, ATU Ballinode, Sligo F91YW50
(Main Entrance near Big Fish Sculpture)

Tickets: €5 entrance fee for non-members

A talk by Paul Connolly as part of Sligo Field Club’s Regular Lecture Series

Buildings of Ireland Symposium

Day-long symposium (with walking tours, talks and panel discussion) of Sligo’s architectural heritage in Sligo County Hall.

Date  Saturday 26th September 2026

Time 10h30 – 12h30, Walking Tours

12h30 Lunch

14h00 – 17h00, Buildings of Ireland Symposium

The Buildings of Ireland book series records the architecture of our island – old and new; urban and rural; from landmark buildings to hidden gems. Published by Yale University Press and modelled on the famed Pevsner guides, the book series has covered various parts of Ireland and is currently developing the North Connaught volume (by Una Sugrue), comprising Sligo, Roscommon and Leitrim.

 As part of the Architecture at the Edge Festival, and in collaboration with Sligo County Council (with Leitrim and Roscommon Co. Councils) and ATU School of Architecture, the Buildings of Ireland Charitable Trust presents a morning of walking tours of Sligo town and an afternoon of architectural talks finishing with a panel discussion during which Una Sugrue will share her experiences working on the North Connaught volume. The rich architectural heritage of Sligo is the event’s focus, which appropriately takes place in the unique surroundings of City Hall, Sligo.

This event is presented by the Buildings of Ireland Charitable Trust in partnership with Sligo County Council and in association with Architecture at the Edge.

Urban Sketching in Sligo Town:

Exploring The Urban Form of Sligo

Workshop

Sunday 27th September 2026, 11:00am

MEET BY BRIDGE OUTSIDE GLASSHOUSE HOTEL, F91NCA4

FREE but prebooking is essential via Eventbrite as spaces are limited.

Sligo Urban Sketchers is a very informal group who meet up on the last Sunday of each month, (11am-1pm) to draw and explore the urban form of Sligo Town. 

Each month focusses on a different part of Sligo’s urban landscape.

There are no expectations, in terms of skills or expertise, just bring a sketchpad and whatever you like to draw with.

Sligo Urban Sketchers Group is an informal group open to anyone who wishes to come along to any or all of our days out sketching around Sligo.

There is no booking required, nor is there any charge or any ‘minimum’ skill level.

If you are visiting Sligo you are very welcome to come along too.