SLIGO’S UNSUNG HEROES ENJOY TRIP OF A LIFETIME TO EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
VOLUNTEERS VISIT THE EU PARLIAMENT FOR AN EXHIBITION ON SLIGO
VOLUNTEERS do not look for rewards. They give of their time selflessly to help make life easier for others. They make our community here in Sligo a better place and last week their efforts were recognised on a European stage.
A large group of Sligo volunteers ranging in age from 16 to 86 travelled to the European Parliament in Brussels to take part in a cultural exhibition of Sligo and a volunteering seminar.
The events were organised by Sligo MEP Marian Harkin who was delighted to host the delegation and ‘showcase all that is best about Sligo.’ The trip coincided with Sligo holding the title for European Capital of Culture, an accolade which has done so much for the county during 2017.
As Ciara Herity of the Sligo Volunteer centre explains: “Not alone has it raised the profile of Sligo as a destination, volunteer registrations are up 17 percent on last year and there has been a 26 percent increase in volunteer opportunities on offer to people. We’ve also hosted 9 national events and will host the National Volunteer Awards this December 1st. It is the first time the major event will take place outside of Dublin.”
And last week Sligo took centre stage in the corridors of power with an eye catching exhibition in the European Parliament highlighting what it has achieved through volunteering as well as what the Yeats County has to offer to visitors. The two day exhibition prompted interest from all over Europe with a number of Belgians already planning their next holiday to the North West Coast.
One visitor who tried out the virtual reality ‘surfing in Strandhill’ headset at the Wild Atlantic Way stand said: “This looks absolutely amazing.” A little unsteady on his feet, the Parliament employee continued: “I was going to Dublin anyway but will now definitely get to Sligo.”
Sligo’s Noelle Cawley who works with Failte Ireland said the virtual reality headsets also feature horse riding in Streedagh.
“So many people have come over to try out our virtual headsets. There is massive interest. These images bring you into the zone,” she added.
A series of enlarged landscape pictures of Sligo adorned the wallsalls of the exhibition along with lines of poetic genius from its most famous son, Yeats. The pictures were supplied by Carney based photographer Ciaran McHugh.
“The wild altantic way is doing really well for the North West,” said Noelle,
“People in Ireland know all about it. Our challenge as a tourism authority is to get the message out there internationally. To get the chance to be here in the European Parliament as part of the Sligo Exhibition is fantastic and is making an impact.”