What To Do In The Area
The Organic Centre, Rosinver, Co. Leitrim
Established in 1995 as a non profit making company, the aim of this centre is providing training, information and demonstrations of organic gardening, growing and farming. Go to www.theorganiccentre.ie for more details.
The Leitrim Sculpture Centre, Manorhamilton
The Centre resulted from the pioneering efforts of the Manorhamilton Arts Group which had been working since 1995 for the establishment of a centre for sculptors. Among its founding members the group had a number of locally based full time artists of national and international repute in stone, wood and bronze.
Glens Centre, Manorhamilton, Co. Leitrim
The Glens Centre is an Arts Centre in a former Methodist Church in Manorhamilton. The centre is located at the heart of the North Leitrim Glens and provides a range of services and facilities including performing Arts Programme, workshops in the arts, community Facilities, community arts programme.
Model Art and Niland Gallery, Sligo
One of the premier arts centres in Ireland with an extensive programme of visual and performing arts, This beautifully renovated model school is home to the impressive Niland Art Collection featuring John and Jack B. The centre has an award winning gourmet café; The Atrium, and a vibrant performing arts programme which includes an eclectic mix of jazz and contemporary music, comedy and drama, as well as classical music concerts. Go to www.modelart.ie for more details.
Parke's Castle
The Castle, which has been beautifully restored, has a very interesting audio visual presentation on the entire heritage of the region and is well worth a visit. The drive from Dromahair to Parkes Castle, along the shores of Lough Gill, is wonderfully scenic.
Creevylea Abbey
There is a particularly nice riverside walk which brings you to the ruins of Creevylea Abbey, a Franciscan Friary which was the last to be built in Ireland before the dissolution of the monasteries by Henry VIII. Creevlea accidently burned down, the ruins remain.
Local walks
Creevylea Abbey Walk - stroll
Lough Nahoo loop - 3½ miles, hilly
O'Rourkes Table - 4 miles with 20 mins climb
Manor Walk - 5 miles, stunning
Local Festivals
Wise Woman Festival
This festival is run by a collaboration of likeminded women who gather to celebrate all that it means to be a woman. The weekend includes workshops, music, dance, good food, cleansing rituals and much more. This festival takes place in May or June, please go to the Wise Woman Festival website www.wisewomanireland.com for more details.
Adaptations Film Festival
Based just down the road from us, Adaptations ia a fantastic opportunity to see rare movies in the mobile cinema - a converted truck! Each year a different writer is chosen, and adaptations of their work is shown, along with a public interview. Past writers include Edna O'Brien, Roddy Doyle, Bernard McLaverty and Jennifer Johnston, and the festival runs in early October.
Sligo Live Music Festival
Every Autumn fantastic musicians swoop upon Sligo, playing in larger venues as well as small cafes around town. So you can be watching Martha Wainwright on one stage, walk down the street and hear Duke Special bursting into song in a local bar. Free gigs and sessions abound, though the larger gigs sell out fast. Aside from Martha, this year's highlights include Josh Ritter in an intimate church setting, and new star Imelda May. A must see experience.
