Lissadell concerts will help county post-Covid
THE recent announcement of proposals to hold up to 12 events as year at Lissadell Estate was widely welcomed by councillors at last Monday’s June meeting.
The agreement between Lissadell owners, Edward Walsh and Constance Cassidy, and promoters Harry Crosbie and Peter Aiken could see 12 concerts a year at the north Sligo venue for the next five years.
The proposals are a “game-changer” according to Cllr Tom MacSharry, and “could form the cornerstone of Sligo’s post-covid recovery.”
The outgoing Cathaoirleach stated: “I would like to commend and acknowledge the collaboration between Eddie Walsh, Constance Cassidy and the Lissadell team, Harry Crosbie, Peter Aiken and the promotion team.
“This opportunity will delivers hundreds of millions to Sligo and the north west and could potentially resurrect a decimated tourism and hospitality sector.”
Cllr MacSharry also said the “local community in north Sligo must be included from the very start of any consultation process to ensure their views are paramount to this process.”
Describing it as a “fabulous venue with extraordinary acoustics”, Cllr Rosaleen O’Grady said the success of the proposals would be in engagement with locals, while Cllr Marie Casserly said it would provide a “huge injection of cash to the local economy.”
In a similar motion from Cllr Thomas Walsh, the Fine Gael representative said it was an “exciting opportunity for the county”, and commended the owners and all involved. He said the staging of the concerts could be worth “ten Dublin marathons” to Sligo.
Cllr Tom Fox congratulated the owners of Lissadell for showing such initiative, while Cllr Sinead Maguire described it as an “iconic setting” and asked that the council provide assistance where possible.
Council chief executive Ciaran Hayes said he had discussions with Eddie Walsh in April, and then with the promoter Harry Crosbie about the proposals. Mr Hayes said he anticipated further engagement on planning issues once Covid-19 restrictions ease. There are a number of planning requirements surrounding the staging of such events, he said, with a lot of hurdles to cross, but he said the council are supportive of the proposals.