Sligo Town Night Time Economy Enrichment & Diversification Funds New & Innovative Ideas

As part of the Sligo Town NTE pilot, the Sligo Town Night Time Economy Enrichment & Diversification grants have been awarded to nine applicants for 2026. The Sligo town NTE Pilot is delivered by Sligo BID in partnership with Sligo County Council and is funded through the NTE Unit of the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport. The fund supports the trial of new and innovative events to support the growth and diversity of the night time economy in Sligo Town between Sunday and Thursday.

An independent, representative panel reviewed all applications as part of a competitive process and were impressed by the ideas and creativity of the applicants. Grants were awarded to support the following projects:

Trip around the world in Sligo, Spanish & Latin American Night, Evening Creative Sessions at Hyde Bridge Gallery, Bring your own merch: a sustainable night time arts activation with Spilt Milk, Spreading the news under the Sligo Sky: an Immersive Ceili Theatre Experience, Ukrainian Culture Night- Sligo, Raised on Songs & Stories- Evening Walks through Sligo Town, Focal Factor Live! and Old Style, Folk Style and a little bit of Poetry

Edel Doran, Sligo BID’s Sligo Town Night Time Economy Advisor, said:

“You can see from the above titles, that there are some interesting evenings ahead for Sligo Town. It’s wonderful to see such a mix across applicants from businesses and cultural spaces to event producers and we hope there will be a ripple effect beyond the grant funded window.”

 

Martin Lydon, Sligo County Council Chief Executive said:

“Sligo Town’s Night Time Economy Pilot started in 2024. There is clear impact across the years. For example, the Oak Moon Late Night Café was supported in Year One. Now in Year Three, it’s become a cultural hub to support event producers to try new concepts and hold their events. The pilot is helping support the current and next wave of event producers, which is a vital part of the future of our Night Time Economy. This grant also helps to back our businesses and provide unique experiences for people to come in and enjoy across Sligo Town.”