Sligo Gathering
28 & 29 May, Hawk's Well Theatre & The Model
Join us for this landmark event in the performing arts 2024 calendar. Hundreds of artists, arts workers and arts organisation people from arts centres and production companies, festivals and funders will get together in Sligo for two days of conversation, provocation, and inspiration as well as a specially curated artistic programme. Lots more info on bookings, bursaries for independent artists & arts workers, schedule, hotels, travel & accessibility below.
Your ticket includes access to both day sessions, the artistic programme, lunch on both days and Tuesday evening dinner.
On this page you’ll be able to
- Book your ticket
- Apply for Independent Artist Bursaries
- Have a look at hotel deals
- See travel info
- Find out more about accessibility in the event venues
Book your ticket
We’re delighted to be partnering again with Ticketsolve to sell our tickets this year. You can purchase tickets on this link.
Early Bird Ticket prices (up until Friday April 19th & then prices there after in brackets):
- Non-member €280 (€300)
- Organisation member €140 (€150)
- Freelance artists/arts worker €100 (€110)
Your ticket includes day sessions, artistic programme, bespoke artistic programme, lunch on both days and evening dinner.
Bursaries for Independent Artists and Arts Workers
Theatre Forum is delighted to be working with Local Authority Arts Offices nationwide to offer bursaries for arts practitioners based in Ireland to attend the Theatre Forum Gathering in Sligo on 28 and 29 May 2024.
These bursaries are on a first-come-first-served basis and/or by a selection panel. You can find out more here.
What’s the format?
The event runs over two days (Tuesday 28 and Wednesday 29 May). Your ticket includes day sessions, artistic programme, bespoke walking tour, lunch on both days and evening dinner. We’ll be announcing lots more information about the full programme very soon but here is the basic schedule.
Tuesday 28 May
Train from Dublin 9.05 arrives 12:17
Bus from Dublin 08:10 arrives 11:54
Bus from Galway 09:00 arrives 11:15 / 10:30 arrives 13:10
Bus from Belfast 09:20 arrives 13:45 (change at Enniskillen)
Allow 10 minutes to walk from Sligo train & bus station to the Hawk’s Well
12:30 – 13:45
Hawk’s Well foyer
Registration and lunch
13:45 – 17:30/18:00
Hawk’s Well
Afternoon plenary programme curated by Cian O’Brien
18:00 – 19:00
Artistic Programme curated by Cairde Festival
Various locations in Sligo finishing in the Model
19:15 – 21.30
Dinner in the Model
Late evening venue for drinks TBC
Wednesday 29 May
From 9am there will be a series of parallel and plenary sessions in the Model.
The Gathering last session finished at 13:45 followed by lunch.
Allow 15 minutes to walk from The Model to Sligo train & bus station
Trains back to Dublin 15:05 – 18:30 or later one 16:55 – 20:37
Buses back to Dublin 15:30 – 19:23
Buses back to Galway 14:00 – 16:35 or later one 16:00 -18:40
Buses back to Belfast 14:05 – 18:20
Hotels
Riverside Hotel
€120.00 single room B&B
€130.00 twin/double rooms B&B
Please use the code TF270524 to book via their website
[Choose your arrival and departure date in the date boxes – enter in the promocode under the date boxes -click search – add your room, and add to cart.]
or call Riverside Hotel directly on 071 919 4480 (reservations open between 09.00 – 15:00hrs)and quote the code to reservations.
Cut off date for this rate is May 1st
Sligo Southern Hotel
€130 single room B&B
€ 145 twin/double rooms B&B
Please call the Sligo Southern Hotel directly on 071 916 2101 and ask for Aimee quoting Theatre Forum.
Cut off date for this rate is April 29th
Sligo Park Hotel*
€129 single room B&B
€149 twin/double rooms B&B
Please call the Sligo Park Hotel directly on 071 919 0400 and quote Theatre Forum to reservations
Cut off date for this rate is May 1st
*Sligo Park Hotel is 5min taxi ride to the town centre or 10/15mins by public transport
Clayton Sligo Hotel
€159 single room B&B
€175 twin/double rooms B&B
Please use the code THEA280524 to book via their website or call Clayton Sligo Hotel directly on 071 911 9000 and quote the code to reservations.
Cut off date for this rate is May 1st
The Glasshouse Hotel
€180 single room B&B
€190 twin/double rooms B&B
Please call the Glasshouse Hotel directly on 071 919 4300 and quote #370535 to reservations
Cut off date for this rate is May 1st
Getting to Sligo
By train: There are direct train services from Dublin Connolly to Sligo: See Irish Rail for full details.
By bus: There are direct services to Sligo from Dublin, Galway, and Cork: See Bus Eireann for full details, as well as connecting travel nationwide.
For multi-connecting travel, over the border travel routes and directions try Rome2Rio website for options, pricings and booking.
Accessibility
Hawk’s Well Theatre
This is a wheelchair accessible venue. A wheelchair accessible restroom is located on the ground floor close to the Box Office. Parking for people with disabilities is located at the side of the building on The Lungy and wheelchair access to the theatre (including the bar and box office) is available from here
For more answers to accessibility questions and a guided accessible video tour of the venue please click here.
The Model
The Model is wheelchair accessible. There are dedicated disabled parking spaces in Connaughton Road Car Park. When you enter The Model building from the Connaughton Road entrance there is a lift on the right hand side of the staircase to take you one floor down to Reception. There is also another lift situated next to Reception so you can easily visit our 1st Floor galleries
For further access and directions to the venue please click here.
Riverside Sligo
Accessible Parking, Fully accessible public areas and ground floor toilets. Fully wheelchair accessible rooms. Please contact the hotel in advance to book room and carparking space.
Sligo Southern Hotel
Accessible Parking, Accessible lift, toilets in public areas. Walk in shower rooms only. Please contact the hotel in advance.
Sligo Park Hotel
Accessible Parking, Fully accessible public areas and ground floor toilets. Fully wheelchair accessible rooms
Clayton Sligo Hotel
Accessible Parking, Fully accessible public areas and ground floor toilets. Fully wheelchair accessible rooms. Read the hotels accessibility statement here.
The Glasshouse
Accessible Parking, Fully accessible public areas and ground floor toilets. Fully wheelchair accessible rooms. Please contact the hotel in advance.
What about meals?
Your ticket includes lunch on both days, evening dinner and the artistic programme. Lunch on Day 1 is in the front of house circulation space and bar in Hawk’s Well Theatre Evening dinner on Day 1 is The Model Lunch on Day 2 is again at The Model in the Gallery Café.
A range of vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free meal options is available.
Teas and coffees are provided and we’d ask you to bring and use your own Keepcup and water bottle if possible.
Book your ticket
We’re delighted to be partnering again with Ticketsolve to sell our tickets this year. You can purchase tickets on this link.