Coolaney is a Soundtown

Some months ago I nominated Coolaney to the Today FM #soundtown campaign. I was delighted that although Coolaney didn’t win the overall prize, it was a November winner and I got to tell Alison Curtis about our wonderful village. I’m very grateful I got the opportunity to put the spotlight on our very special village.

I’ve lived here for 29 years, since we moved from the UK. It’s such a pretty village at the foot of the Ox Mountains in South Sligo and although it’s built up a lot since we moved here it has kept it’s community spirit.

In the last year the Coolaney National Mountain Bike Centre has opened and most recently Cafe Fia now has a permanent home. The Cafe was very much a community effort, with volunteers coming together and making a dream a reality.

Coolaney is also home to a wide range of creative folks, including world renowned musicians, an award-winning gospel choir, artists, poets, writers and more.

There’s a stunning walk alongside the river, a lovely playground and miles of country lanes to explore. It’s also home to the Sligo Camino walk, which is a 36km annual walk that takes in part of the Sligo Way. The walk is run by the Coolaney Dev. Co. and lots of volunteers and is a wonderful event. 

We also have resident dinosaurs!

There were 8 #soundtowns in the 2020 final, including Ballina, Co. Mayo – a place I have a soft spot for. The overall winner was Kilmacthomas in Co. Waterford and you can hear the moment they were announced as the winner here: https://www.todayfm.com/podcasts/weekend-breakfast-with-alison-curtis/kilmacthomas-in-waterford-are-the-cadbury-soundtown-winners-of-2020 Huge congratulations to them and to all the other Soundtowns.

Coolaney is fundraising at the moment for new walkway to replace the timber one (which is a dangerous) down by the river. The new one will be made from recycled plastic and if you would like to know more you can contact the Coolaney/Rockfield Tidy Towns. https://www.facebook.com/CoolaneyRockfield-Tidy-Towns-170575402999503