Less than a month to the Leitrim Gathering - Here is what is on

In less than a month, thousands of members of the Leitrim diaspora will return to the county for the Leitrim Gathering, running from May 22nd to 25th.

Towns and villages across Leitrim will host around 50 events, including music, dancing, tours, talks, demonstrations, and community celebrations. The festival is organised by Leitrim County Council.

Here’s a breakdown of some of the events happening across the county:

Anchor Events

• Live Music at The Junction – May 23 Garadice headline, supported by The Wren Boys, with children’s entertainment included.
• Shannon Sessions – May 23–25 48 musicians will perform traditional music across 15 pubs in Carrick-on-Shannon.
• Music in Manorhamilton – May 24 Open-air country concert with Declan Nerney and Una Healy, supported by local artists.

Music & Cultural Celebrations

• Sessions Along The Shannon – May 23–25 Traditional Irish sessions featuring 48 musicians in 15 Carrick-on-Shannon pubs.
• Market Yard Live – May 23 & 25 Youth performances and live music with Seán Keane (May 23) and Garadice (May 25), from 7–9 PM.
• Tea and Twirls in the Rainbow Ballroom – May 23 A special tea dance with live music to celebrate the venue’s 90th anniversary.
• Kiltyclogher Gathering Weekend – May 23 Ceili, supper, and traditional concert at the local community centre.
• The Gathering @ Margaret’s Corner – May 23–25 Cultural and creative weekend at Margaret’s Corner Community Centre in Carrigallen and Tully Carrigallen.
• Soul Song – May 24 Interactive instrument exhibition at The Glen Arts Centre in Manorhamilton.
• O’Rourke’s of Leitrim Living History / Mobile Museum – May 24 Explore medieval Leitrim with costumed curators and hands-on artifact sessions at The People's Park, Carrick-on-Shannon.
• Celebrating Drumkeeran – May 25 Community celebration at The Courthouse and Amenity Area.

Arts & Workshops – All on May 23 unless stated otherwise

• Weave Your Own Leitrim Potato Basket Basket weaving workshop at The Dock Arts Centre.
• Sgraffito Technique with Lichen Ceramics Pottery workshop with Bairbre Kennedy at The Leitrim Design House.
• Print to Stitch Workshop with Catherine Gray Monotype printing workshop at The Leitrim Design House.
• Fused Glass Jewellery Workshop Held on Main Street, Carrick-on-Shannon.
• Rediscover Fashion Leitrim Sustainable fashion workshops at The Dock.
• Leitrim Women Through Time – Pop-Up History Museum Exhibition at The Beepark Community Centre, Manorhamilton.
• Emigrant Remittances and the Family in Post-Famine Leitrim Talk at St. George's Heritage Centre in Carrick-on-Shannon.

Heritage & History

• Open Weekend at Seán Mac Diarmada's Cottage – May 23–25 Guided tours in Kiltyclogher.
• Free Admission to Parke's Castle – May 23–25 Open days at the historic castle in Fivemilebourne.
• Your Roots in Fenagh – May 23 Tours, census talk, and social with music and dancing at Fenagh Community Centre and Visitor Centre.
• "Where Trains Once Ran" by Padraig Griffin – May 24 Talk on the changing landscape of northern Ballinamore at the local library.
• North Shannon Stories: A Heritage Gathering – May 24 Local oral histories and archival footage at The Methodist Church in Drumshanbo.
• Conmacne Identity & Landscape 2025 – May 25 Discussion on place names and ancestral origins at St. George’s Heritage Centre, Carrick-on-Shannon.

 Outdoor & Family Activities

• Tullaghan Heritage Festival – May 23–25 Weekend festival with activities, storytelling, music, food, and workshops at Tullaghan Community Centre.
• Leitrim Cycling Festival 2025 – May 23–25 Family-friendly event promoting walking and cycling.
• Water Bug Safari – May 23 River bug discovery and water health workshop at The Organic Centre in Rossinver.
• A Day of Traditions in Aughnasheelin – May 24 Traditional skills and heritage activities at Aughnasheelin Community Centre.
• A Leitrim Wake – May 24 1950s/60s-style wake re-enactment in Cloonclivvy, Mohill.
• May Walk 2025 – May 25 Annual 5/10k walk/run in aid of North West Hospice and Irish Cancer Society. Includes home baking and refreshments.
• Lough Rynn Dragons Try-Out Day – May 24 Public rowing session with the Lough Rynn Dragons.

For full event times and registration (where required), visit theleitrimgathering.com/whats-on.

READ MORE: MEP urges EU support for storm-ready centres in Leitrim and north-west