Past, present and future of Sligo Gaol to be discussed at event organised by the students of IT
THE history and potential future of Sligo Gaol is set to be discussed at a talk organised by IT Sligo students on April 19 th. SLIGO Gaol was built on virgin land to the east of the centre of Sligo.
It replaced an earlier unregulated gaol which is located on the site of the current Sligo Courthouse.
The prison sits on an 8-acre site and was designed to hold 200 inmates in a polygon-shaped building, with the Governor’s residence situated in the centre of the prison.
Construction of the prison began in 1818 and it was opened in 1823 at a cost of £30,000. The number of prisoners detained in the prison dropped to less than 15 which resulted in its closure in 1956.
The talk has been organised by five IT Sligo students of 3rd year Tourism with Event Management: Ella Nawrot, Molly McGowan, Leanne Higgins, Patricia Terron Garcia and Louise Leeson in association with Sligo County Council Heritage Office, Friends of the Sligo Gaol and careful eye of dedicated Event Management lecturer Joanna Sweeney.
This event will include discussion panel where listeners will have an opportunity to address aspects of the past, present and future of Sligo Gaol, taking place from 12pm – 1pm at the Aurivo Auditorium at the Institute of Technology.
Three incredible speakers were announced earlier this week.
Michael Farry, a native of Coolaney, is a retired primary teacher, a historian and poet. He completed a PhD on the civil war in Sligo in Trinity College, Dublin in 1999 and this was published by UCD Press, Dublin, in 2000 as The Aftermath of Revolution - Sligo 1921-23.
Tamlyn McHugh - member of local volunteer group ‘Friends of Sligo Gaol’. Tamlyn McHugh is a Sligo based licenced archaeologist and a member of the Institute of Archaeologists of Ireland. She has worked as a professional archaeologist in Ireland for 15 years since graduating from University College Cork with a BA in Archaeology and an MA in Methods and Techniques of Archaeological Practice.
Siobhán Ryan, Heritage Officer with Sligo County Council who plays a key role in promoting awareness, knowledge and pride in local heritage.
Limited places are available for the event. To book your free entry ticket go to https://www. eventbrite.ie/e/200-years-ofsligo-gaol-tickets-43653094581
As Sligo County Council have designated 2018 as the ‘Year of Sligo Gaol’, the aim for this event is to assist Heritage Office and Friends of Sligo Gaol in promoting the jail as a flag ship tourist attraction for the Sligo region.
This event will mark the beginning of the three day celebrations which will commence on the 7 th of September.
The weekend will include the launch of a children’s novel, illustrated by local artist and storyteller Wayne O’Connor followed by a conference, titled ‘Sligo Gaol 1818-2018 – Ireland’s Historic Jails’, finishing on Sunday with Michael Collins 100 years commemoration (since he was incarcerated at the jail) with the unveiling a specially commissioned portrait of the Corkman by renowned artist Emma Stroude.