200 Years of Sligo Gaol

On the weekend of 7-9th September 2018, Friends of Sligo Gaol marked the 200th anniversary of the opening of Ireland's only surviving polygonal prison, rich in history and heritage.
On Friday morning there was the first public reading of “My Tale Untold”, a beautifully Illustrated children's book set in 1839 Sligo Gaol, produced by Friends of Sligo Gaol and illustrator Wayne O'Connor. Wayne performed the first reading to 4th & 5th class of St Johns National School at the Hawk's Well Theatre.
Later that evening “My Tale Untold” was officially launched by acclaimed artist and writer of children's fiction PJ Lynch, Ireland's Laureate na nÓg for 2017-2018. The conference was then officially launched by The Mayor of Sligo, Cllr. Rosaleen O’Grady
On Saturday Friends of Sligo Gaol hosted a ‘200 Years of Sligo Gaol’ Conference at the Clayton Hotel Sligo. Attendees where fascinated by papers on topics ranging from the Spike Island Excavations to Dark Tourism, centering on Ireland's historic prisons and discussed by leading experts in the field of crime and punishment in 19th and 20th century Ireland. Speakers included Dr Richard McMahon; Dr Ciara Breathnach; Tim Carey; Dr Geraldine Curtin; Dr Barra O’ Donnabhain; Dr Laura McAtackney & Dr Gillian O’Brien.
A key element of the conference was a panel discussion exploring "The Future of Sligo Gaol". Participants included Dr Gillian O’Brien (Expert in ‘Dark Tourism), Eva Costello (Wild Atlantic Way Team Manager at Fáilte Ireland), Siobhán Ryan (Heritage Officer with Sligo County Council), Patrick McHugh (Events Manager and head tour guide at Lifford Old Courthouse), Tim Carey (Historian and former manager of Kilmainham Gaol) and Ciarán McHugh (Feasibility Study Project Manger with Friends of Sligo Gaol).
On Sunday there was a Michael Collins Commemoration at Sligo Gaol to mark the incarceration of the gaol's most famous inmate there 100 years ago. Phelim Brady enthralled the audience with his knowledge of Michael Collins Sligo Prison Diary. Mary Clare O’Malley, grandniece of Michael Collins, unveiled the Friends of Sligo Gaol commissioned portrait of Collins by renowned artist Sligo Emma Stroude.
This video was kindly funded by Sligo County Council Community and Economic Development and was produced by Atlantic Light Productions.
'My Tale Untold' was funded by Sligo LCDC, Creative Ireland Programme 2017-2022 & Sligo Credit Union. Sligo BID & Institute of Field Archaeologists funded the launch evening.
The book is available from Liber Bookshop and Easons Sligo and also online at www.sligogaol.ie
Saturday's Conference was kindly supported by The Heritage Council
The Michael Collins Commemoration day was funded by Creative Ireland Programme 2017-2022 & Sligo County Council Community and Economic Development