When I first started Sligo Hub, there was a dedicated section for local community groups. While the hub is no longer mine, I’ve recently noticed more and more people sharing that they feel lonely or disconnected – particularly those who are new to the area, living in rural parts of the county, or who feel that social life never quite returned to normal after Covid.
Connection really matters. Often, it’s simply about finding the right group or space where you feel comfortable, welcomed, and part of something.
I recently put a call-out on my social media channels asking people to share groups, clubs, and organisations that help bring people together in Sligo. Below is a collection of everything that was suggested.
If you know of a group that’s not listed, I’d love to hear from you, you can contact me at valrobus@gmail.com.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who took the time to get in touch and contribute.
Organisations hosting multiple events:
The Hawk’s Well, community cultural groups, classes, workshops, and more. Read the dedicated blog post here: https://magnumlady.com/2026/01/16/join-community-arts-from-acting-to-choir-at-hawks-well/
Number 45, High Street, Sligo. Open every weekday for people to call in for a cuppa and a chat, and hosting a variety of different clubs and workshops: https://www.facebook.com/Number45HighStreet
The Benwiskin Centre, Sligo. Art, yoga, Pilates, cards, and so much more: https://www.facebook.com/TheBenwiskinCentre/
Cranmore Coop, Sligo run a series of programs and events, including a weekly community dinner. Find out more at http://www.cranmore.ie/.
Easkey Enhancement Association have set up lots of groups to strengthen and connect their community.
Wavy Crafters women’s craft group, Table Tennis club, Book club, Community Cinema, Easkey Permaculture Community Garden and lots of workshops and events. Everyone is more than welcome. Visit their page to see what’s happening https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550506564644
The Sligo Libraries host regular events for all ages and interests: https://sligolibrary.ie/events/
Animals
Birdwatch Sligo meet regularly for talks and outings, find out more on their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/birdwatch.sligo/
Run As One Dog Agility Club is a Co. Sligo based dog training club focusing on agility. They welcome new members: https://www.facebook.com/runasonedogagilityclub
The Sathya Sai Donkey Sanctuary is looking for more volunteers to help with their day-to-day duties.
They welcome volunteers every day of the week, Monday through Sunday, usually from 9:30am to 1pm, or any time you can spare. Email to find out more volunteers.sai.donkeys@gmail.com
Art and Craft
Zara O’Connor runs art classes for all levels, and ages. I’ve added two upcoming Strandhill ones, and you can find her Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/zaraoconnorart
Juliana Alencar hosts regular painting events. Find her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jualencarart/
Graphic and Easel Life Drawing Sessions at The Model, Sligo. New participants are welcome.
Easels and boards are provided, bring your own drawing materials.
Every Friday, €10 per session, pay on arrival. https://www.themodel.ie/?event=graphite-and-easel&event_date=2026-01-16
Knit and stitch group, meet in Ballymote library every Saturday morning. Contact the library to find out more information.
Book Clubs
Strandhill Book Club meet once a month. More details here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/strandhillbookclub/
Sligo Central Library has a book club, I can’t find out much information about it, but the library will be able to tell you more.
Business
Grow Remote. A countrywide remote working network, they often host Sligo meet ups. https://growremote.ie/
Sligo Women in Business. Monthly meetings for female entrepreneurs and women in business to connect and learn https://swibn.ie/
Comedy
Sligo Comedy Club meet once a month for a night of stand up, improv & a few surprises along the way. New members welcome, if you fancy trying a few jokes. https://www.instagram.com/sligocomedyclub/
Committees/ Volunteering
The AGM of the Tubbercurry Old Fair Day Festival will take place on Sunday 18th January at 8pm in An Chroi. They would be delighted to welcome new volunteers, committee members or sponsors who wish to find out more about the festival. https://www.facebook.com/Tubbercurryoldfairday
2nd Sligo Town Scout Group are looking for volunteers to join their leadership team. You can email them directly – volunteer@2ndsligoscouts.com – for more info on what’s involved. They have a website too so you can see when they meet, age range. It’s definitely great fun for anyone looking to learn new skills, meet like minded people, get outside and give back to the community https://2ndsligoscouts.com/
Dance
Agua Latin Dance Sligo is a Cuban Salsa & Bachata dance school. St John’s Hall, John Street, Sligo, F91 YH31. Beginners welcome every Monday
Mondays (Beginners)
7pm Bachata
8pm Cuban Salsa
Wednesday (Improvers)
7pm Bachata
8pm Cuban Salsa
Prices
€10 for a Single class
€15 for both Bachata and Salsa on the same night
Student price is €10 for both classes
Website: https://aguasligo.ie/
Zumba. Barbara runs groups in various locations in Sligo https://www.facebook.com/zumbasligobarbara/
Bróga Bríomhar is a school of dancing that teaches Sean Nós Dancing. Classes held in various locations https://www.facebook.com/BrogaBriomhar/
Line dance class every Monday beginners at 6.30pm in Carraroe community hall, Sligo town, with Gary O’ Reilly.
Loftus hall social dancing class in Ballymote on Sunday night and a big dance 1st Sunday night of month.
Christopher Beirne Dancing Social & Line dance classes every Friday night in Bunninaden Community Centre from 9pm.
Drama
Phoenix Players Tubbercurry is a brilliant place to meet new people locally in Tubbercurry. For plays there is always lots of different types of people needed not just actors: singers, dancers, costume helpers, makeup artists, choreographers, back stage helpers, ticket helpers, social media people etc.
Western Drama Festival https://www.westerndramafestival.com/
𝑺𝑰𝑷 & 𝑺𝑪𝑬𝑵𝑬 – 𝑨 𝑺𝒐𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝑫𝒓𝒂𝒎𝒂 𝑴𝒆𝒆𝒕-𝑼𝒑 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝑨𝒅𝒖𝒍𝒕𝒔 Hosted by a qualified drama teacher, this series is all about creating a no-pressure, friendly environment where adults can explore drama, have a laugh, and enjoy a cuppa No experience needed – just come as you are! Wednesday, 25th February @ 8pm Art Deco Theatre, Ballymote. €5 per person Whether you’re curious about drama, looking for a creative outlet, or just want a cosy social evening, you’re more than welcome Text / Call Méadhbh on 085 243 7999 to register
Film
Sligo Film Society
Founded in 1944, Sligo Film Society is Ireland’s oldest operational film society. They screen two film seasons a year from The Model arts centre in Sligo town. Their weekly film gathering is the only place to see contemporary arthouse and foreign-language film in Sligo, and it is open to all. Full details: https://sligofilmsociety.org/
Follow That Car!
A monthly event screening short films. Taking place at Lillies in Sligo town, free admission. More details: https://www.instagram.com/followthatcarfilms/
Games
Sligo Gaming Society cater to any gamers in the Northwest. Our Primary interest is Tabletop gaming with regular meetings and opportunities to network to play Boardgames, Card games, Roleplaying games and Wargames. They meet in Sligo town, and have a Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/113830522123653
Next meeting is Sunday the 18th January, at The Glasshouse, 5pm to 10pm. Entry is €5
Sligo Chess Club welcome new members, of all abilities. Even if you can’t play, they can teach you. Meeting weekly in Sligo town. https://sligochess.com/
Gaymes Night, Sligo. LGBTQIA+ group. We meet to play boardgames at Serious Business in Sligo from 4 to 8 pm on the first Saturday of every month https://www.facebook.com/GaymesNightSligo
Gardening
County Sligo Flower and Garden Club. Not sure of membership, but their Facebook page is here: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100066940274830
Sligo Children’s Community Garden – open to all ages via membership. Located in Cleveragh, Sligo town.
https://sligochildrenscommunitygarden.com/about-us
Heritage
Ballymote Heritage Group are always looking for new interested people. Raising awareness of heritage & promoting knowledge of and interest in all aspects of local history, archaeology, culture, & folklore.
Sligo Field Club is a voluntary organisation. Its objectives are to promote interest in the environment, both natural and man-made, through lectures, guided field trips and other methods considered appropriate. The general areas of interest of the Sligo Field Club are Archaeology, History, Natural History and the quality of the environment. Meeting on the last Thursday of the month 8pm Jan. – Nov. Sligo Education Centre. €5 a night for non members. Summer outings and heritage week events. https://sligofieldclub.ie/membership/
Language
Amicizia Sligo informal Italian language classes run from September to early April. The Building Block, Sligo town. More details: https://www.facebook.com/AmiciziaSligo
Irish conversational group at Osta Cafe, Sligo. All levels are welcome- Fridays from 5pm
Cafe Mate Sligo host language exchange evenings. Every Saturday 6pm – 7pm. Find them in Wine Street, Sligo – next to Dawn Fresh.
International Newcomers Group in Sligo town. Details above.
Men’s Groups
Sligo Men’s Shed meet every weekday morning from 10.30 am – 2.30 pm at St. Mary’s, Temple Street, Sligo. More information: https://menssheds.ie/sheds/sligo-mens-shed/
Music
ConBrio classical concerts autumn to spring, always have a “Meet the artist” reception afterwards which is also a good place to meet fellow classical music fans.
The Hawk’s Well Theatre Community Orchestra / Choir: https://www.hawkswell.com/whats-on/take-part/community
North West Music for Wellbeing facilitates a range of creative activities in group formats. All shared via the Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/NWMusicforwellbeing
Sligo Orpheus Choir meet on Wednesdays at 18.45 in the Avalon Centre. Particularly looking for tenors and basses.
Sligo Gospel Choir meet on Thursdays at 7.30 p.m. at the Presbyterian Church hall, Sligo, F91 EY8K. All over 18 welcome
Adult ukulele lessons are continuing from Feb onwards in The Hawk’s Well Theatre Sligo.
This relaxed, weekly workshop is perfect for those who want to build confidence, learn even more new chords and strumming patterns, and play lots of songs in great company.
Book here:
https://www.hawkswell.com/whats-on/take-part/ukulele-lessons-for-adults-with-lisa-cannon
Pilates/Yoga/Wellness
Saoirse, the founder of Freedom Flow Wellness got in touch. She hosts weekly Pilates & yoga classes and regular events. Enniscrone/ Mayo and hopefully more in Sligo https://www.instagram.com/freedomflow.wellness/
Stillpoint Sligo host a number of events https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61585448913084
Endo Support Group, Sligo. Somewhere for those with endometriosis can connect. Meet up for hot chocolate, go for a walk, etc. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61586410570711
Poetry
Illuminations – Open Mic Poetry is a free, monthly event celebrating poetry and the spoken word. This event is open to readers, writers and performers of poetry, prose, fiction, non-fiction, music, performance art and esoterica. Find out more: https://www.themodel.ie/?event=illuminations
Sport
GAA. I’m told that the GAA groups are always looking for volunteers. I can’t find any details on the Sligo GAA page, but maybe local GAA groups might be able to help.
Get Better Running Sligo. Walk, jog, run. Tuesday 7pm Doorly Park | Sligo Sunday 9am Queen Maeve Sq | Sligo. Find them on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/getbetterrunningsligo/
Sligo ParkRun – you can walk, run, volunteer and more at this Saturday morning timed parkrun. Mary tells me that some of the attendees go for coffee afterwards. Doorly Park, Sligo. Free event. More details: https://www.parkrun.ie/sligo/
Tubbercurry ParkRun – you can walk, run, volunteer and more at this Saturday morning timed parkrun. It’s on at the Tubbercurry Forest Trail. Free event. Find out more: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556103196027
Sligo Athletics Club welcome athletes from ages 6 to 100. Find out more about their membership and details: https://sligoac.com/membership/
New members are always welcome to join Sligo Triathlon club, whether you are interested in improving your fitness, meeting new people or competing in the different triathlon events. For more info and to sign up check out sligotriathlon.ie
Sligo Sport and Recreation Partnership run various events, and have clubs listed on their website: https://www.sligosportandrecreation.ie/
Sligo Pétanque, is a thriving boules club, playing at Mitchel Curley park in Sligo. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100068213322609
Sligo Pickleball Club at Sligo Tennis Club. They meet 5 days a week. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557736665424
Sligo Krav Maga eXplode teaches reality based self defense, through the KMG global Krav Maga system. Sligo town: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61571187728756
Play squash at Sligo Tennis Club. Contact them directly for more information. Great fun competitive and social squash available https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057629311884
Trail Runners Sligo Group for off road running on trails, tracks, fields, forests, beaches, coasts and mountains around County Sligo. https://www.facebook.com/groups/2006685842984983
Social
Havin’aLaugh Coffee Morning. Takes place at the Riverside Hotel, Sligo, on the first Monday of each month, unless it’s a bank holiday. Free event, just pay for your own drink/food. Find out more here: https://www.instagram.com/havin.a.laugh/
Ballymote Daycare Centre – people can meet, chat, have food, enjoy music, singing, bingo and various talks on a variety of topics. I think this is aimed at older people.
Cliffoney Day Care Centre is great place to meet people and lovely hot meals provided, also games, music and a bit of craic. I think this is aimed at older people.
Sligo Folk Park have a group that meet every Wednesday at 11am. Get in touch with the folk park to find out more: https://www.facebook.com/Sligofolkpark
There’s a Sligo Social Meet Up Group – they organise walks, cinema trips, dinners, and more: https://www.meetup.com/sligo-social-group/
Cultural Companions is a network for people interested in arts and culture. They meet once a month at the Hawk’s Well Theatre, Sligo https://www.hawkswell.com/whats-on/take-part/cultural-companions
The Catalysts at Calry Church is a non-denominational, active age type group for the over 50’s. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100066358844649
Tubbercurry FRC Monthly Coffee Morning. February 19th, March 19th, April 16th, May 14th and June 18th. 11am. Contact the centre on 0719186926 for more information
Parenting
Sligo Children’s Community Garden. Weekly Mucky Monday Tots Group from 10.30 – 12.00 and other events. Membership is required, and a small weekly charge to attend the tots group. https://sligochildrenscommunitygarden.com/carer-and-toddler-group
Sligo Family Resource Centre host various groups for parents and children.
Tubbercurry Family Resource Centre host various groups for parents and children.
Any parents with little one’s 6wks-15mths Bloom Baby Classes North West Ireland is in a few different venues but will be bringing the classes to Sligo from the end of February. Meet other parents who ‘get it’ and create your “village” whilst enjoying a calm & age appropriate class that also supports your baby’s development. Classes are small so every family feels seen, supported, and truly connected.
New and expectant mums are invited to come and join Mamog’s Bump & Baby meet-ups on the first Friday of every month. Have a cuppa and connect with new parents in the pleasant surroundings of The Model café. Explore the gallery exhibitions, The Niland Collection, our early years creative spaces and feel supported as you build your community. https://www.themodel.ie/?event=baby-and-bump
The school parents associations welcome new members.
Walk Clubs and Groups
Enniscrone Walking Club meet at Enniscrone Tourist Office at 9.20am every Saturday. Hikes vary in length, and difficulty (min 3 hrs). Full details: https://www.facebook.com/walkenniscrone
Sligo Mountaineering Club has been in existence since 1974. Currently the membership stands at over 100 members. They walk every Sunday, and they have set days for new members to attend. You can find out more on their website: https://www.sligomountaineeringclub.com/
Sligo Walks have a list of walking guides and clubs: https://sligowalks.ie/walking-clubs/
Tubbercurry FRC have two walk and talk groups open to the public. One on a Tuesday at 11.45am meeting at FRC each week for a 4-5k gentle walk followed by a cuppa and a Wednesday Walk and Talk group which meet at a different location each week at 10.20am and walk 5-6k at a moderate pace.
Contact the centre on 0719186926 for more information
Women’s Groups
Sligo Women’s Social Group is open to women of all ages. The purpose of the group is connect women, make friends and have some fun! Whether you’re a local woman, someone who has recently moved to the area, recently separated or divorced, or you’re feeling a bit isolated and would like to increase your social connections, this is the group for you.
Sign up here:
https://www.meetup.com/sligo-womens-meet-up-group/
Sligo town, Women’s Shed Methodist Hall, Wine Street, Sligo. They meet from 7 -9pm every Tuesday. New members very welcome. https://www.facebook.com/groups/874719354320971/
Ballisodare Women’s Shed is a safe, welcoming place for all women to come together for friendship, activities, to learn and share a skill, and have fun! For more information email ballisodarewomensshed@gmail.com
Cnoc na Sí Women’s Shed provide a friendly and supportive environment for all women to meet, learn new crafts, skills, knowledge, make friends and above all, have fun! They meet once a week on a Monday evening at 8pm in the beautiful Carrowmore school at the foot of Cnoc na Sí. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090621378505
Aremoja Women’s Group. Empowering women in County Sligo through activities, connectivity, and integration. Enjoy our events, multicultural buffet, vibrant Irish and melody dance from Africa. We offer professional catering and entertainment for events. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100069549033342
Beyond Sligo County
I had a number of recommendations for The Splash Pool in Ballaghaderreen. They host aqua aerobics, and one of my readers said that even going for a swim is lovely, as the people are so friendly. https://splashpools.ie/
Charlestown, Co. Mayo, has a knitting group that meet on a Thursday 10.30 until 1pm (I don’t know where). The Charlestown Community garden meet on a Wednesday and Saturday 1pm – 3pm, meeting from March onwards.
There is an online club for Autistic adults aged 18-30 running online with some local meetups in Leitrim.
Manorhamilton ICA Meets monthly and has various sessions including crafts, pottery, cooking, exercise, etc. A chance to forge friendships and try activities.
Leitrim Volunteer Centre has wonderful volunteering opportunities for people to connect with their communities and each other. From as little as 1 hour per month, there are roles to suit all timeframes and interests. https://www.i-vol.ie/
I had no idea that there was so much going on!
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