Entertaining Sligo
WHO IS THE REAL CONSTANCE?
An exciting new production commissioned by the Hawk’s Well Theatre, Sligo will premiere at Lissadell Church, Sligo in December. This powerful and unique production reflects on the life and legacy of Constance de Markievicz through her diary, speeches, poetry and prose, presenting one of Ireland’s most iconic figures in her own words, from her youth in Lissadell to her final days in Sir Patrick Dun’s Hospital, Dublin.
Commissioned by Hawk’s Well Theatre, Sligo, Constance is written and directed by Kellie Hughes and created in collaboration with Sligo based harpist and composer Michael Rooney. A fusion of new music and spoken word, Constance is performed by an octet of classical and traditional musicians, with string quartet Niamh Crowley, Clare Horler, Marie O’Byrne and Shaza O’Hara, alongside Michael Rooney on harp, John Joe Kelly on bodhrán, Stephen Doherty on flute, David Doocey on fiddle and actor Nichola MacEvilly who gives voice to Constance. Inspired by the many contradictory accounts surrounding her public and private life, the live performance is framed by recorded extracts from multiple historical, media and public sources, in a fully integrated sound design performed live by Joe Hunt. Lighting design is by Michael Cummins and the performance is set in the stunning surrounds of Lissadell Church.
Constance opens at Lissadell Church on Thursday 5 th of December and runs to Saturday 8th of December at 8pm with a matinee on Saturday 7 th December at 4.30pm. Tickets priced at €25/12.50 u18s (plus €1 booking fee) are available now from the Hawk’s Well Theatre. For enquiries or to book, visit www.hawkswell. com or call 0719161518.
Constance has received funding from the Arts Council, Creative Ireland, Sligo County Council and MSLETB. Ecclesiastical Insurance are also sponsors of this production.
LITERARY TOURISM PROJECT
Are you an entrepreneur, culture vulture, or community group? Join a Spot-lit workshop this month in Galway, Mayo or Sligo to discover how to create new products for the untapped literary tourism market in the West of Ireland and bring even more tourists to your region.
Spot-lit, a new EU Funded innovation programme, will shine a light on literary tourism over the next three years, with a focus on developing new literary tourism products or services.
Workshops are being held in Sligo at The Glasshouse Hotel on November 26 th, in The Ellison Hotel, Castlebar, Co. Mayo on November 27 th, and in The Maldron Hotel, Galway, on November 28th. Attendance at the workshops is free of charge, though registration is essential at https://www.spot-lit.eu/
The Western Development Commission ( WDC) are the Spot-lit Irish partners and through the programme are working to develop and support organisations and businesses in this culturally-rich region to grow, collaborate and engage with wider audiences and customers.
The Spot-lit programme is open to small businesses, social enterprises, community groups and literary associations with a unique idea for the development of literary tourism in their area.
Further information on the Spot-lit programme is available online from www. spot-lit.eu or follow on social media @ spot_lit_eu
CHRISTMAS FAIR
A Christmas Fair will take place in The Village Inn on December 8th from 11am to 4.30pm. Cartron Markets invite you to attend their Christmas fair to enjoy Christmas atmosphere and browse the many vendors products and services.
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
This Saturday November 30 th at 6.30pm, Sligo’s festive season will begin with Santa in town with his elves to light up Sligo. Ocean FM will broadcast live on the street outside Easons from 11am, and street performers, face painters, choirs will join the fun at 5pm. Santa and his Elves will arrive just after 6pm and the switch on will take place at 6.30.
Sligo BID CEO, Gail McGibbon said: “Over the last three years, we’ve been upgrading Sligo’s lights year on year and it has really made a big impact on the town. We want to build on last years ‘Switch On’ event and we’ve put together even more performances and entertainment. As with last year we are sponsoring €500 and Silver trophy for the best dressed festive business and new this year is a prize of €100 for the best dressed festive person... so do get those Christmas jumpers ready! We’d like to thank our project partners, Sligo Leader and Sligo County Council for their continued support and help on the ground to get the town looking so well.”
For more updates, check out Sligo BID on Facebook.