The Cairde Sligo Arts Festival runs from July 7th to 14th and is a cultural adventure set amidst the backdrop of the stunning Wild Atlantic Way.
The festival kicks off on Saturday July 7th with free party Disco É Cultura - a blend of music and cultures from Latin America, East Africa and the Caribbean islands.
Over the next week Cairde has a fantastic line up of Irish and global acts performing in venues throughout Sligo.
Cairde has a fantastic line up of Irish and global acts performing in venues throughout Sligo.
Niwel Tsumbu and Éamonn Cagney whose sources range from classical to Central Africa, with pulsating rhythms, wild guitar solos and so much more play Tricky McGarrigles on Wednesday July 11th.
All the way from California the California Feetwarmers play the Hawkswell Theatre on Wednesday 11th July at 8pm.

An Tara – the unique duo of Matthew Noone & Tommy Hayes (in collaboration with The Hawk’s Well Theatre) perform a special Trad at Lunch gig at The Hawk’s Well Theatre Foyer on Wednesday July 11th .
Join Jerry Creedon & Friends and Manus Noble on Thursday July 12 at Calry Church for a fascinating mix of the classical and the modern, all involving the guitar, in a programme ranging from the cool jazz of Thelonius Monk to the Tango sensations of Astor Piazzolla.

On Friday July 13th Flook in collaboration with The Hawk’s Well Theatre
weave and spin traditionally rooted tunes into a breathtaking sound.
The flutes of Brian Finnegan and Sarah Allen, the guitar of Ed Boyd and the bodhran of John Joe Kelly blend a rare blend of fiery technical brilliance, delicate ensemble interaction and a bold, adventurous musical imagination.

Later on that night, New Jackson - the new project from the ever prolific Dubliner David Kitt - plays nocturnal house jams with a ghostly disco tint at Tricky’s McGarrigles.

Recently named by the Irish Times as one of their 50 people to watch in 2018 an voted best newcomer at Electric Picnic 2017, Katie Laffan will play Tricky McGarrigles on Saturday 14th.

Expanding on the musical brilliance of Cairde Sligo Arts Festival, Songs by the Sea – a series of intimate live concerts in seaside locations in Sligo returns this year. Featuring performances by LemonCello in The Gallery Café, Rosses Point on Tuesday July 10th at 3 pm; Native Oak in Nook, Collooney on Tuesday 5th at 5pm; Carriages in Shells Seaside Café, Strandhill on Wednesday 11th at 8pm; and Sarah Crummy & Jessie Whitehead in Pudding Row, Enniscrone on Thursday 12th at 5pm.

These are just some of the music acts playing at Cairde Sligo Arts Festival, for more log onto www.cairdefestival.com