Sligo PPN Community Voices Podcast

On Thursday, 8th October, members of Sligo Public Participation Network (PPN) joined representatives from Dublin City PPN and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown (DLR) PPN for a visit to Leinster House, at the invitation of Senator Nessa Cosgrove.

The visit gave us an opportunity to learn more about how national policy is developed and how the views and experiences of people at local level can feed into decisions made nationally.

We were met by John Davey, assistant to Senator Cosgrove, who accompanied us during the visit. We also had a wonderful tour of Leinster House with John, one of the ushers, who shared some of the history of the building and its role in Irish political life.

We visited both the Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann chambers and learned more about the history of the house. We also saw portraits of former Taoisigh of Ireland and a montage featuring women who have served as Senators throughout Irish history, up to 2022.

Senator Cosgrove met with us during the tour and welcomed everyone to Leinster House. She spoke about her work in the Seanad and her role in representing members of the public. We also had the opportunity to listen to part of Leaders' Questions in Dáil Éireann, which gave us a glimpse of parliamentary business in action.

As part of the Sligo PPN podcast, Val spoke to a number of people who took part in the visit. You'll hear about their experiences and perspectives on the day and about the work they do within the PPN.

You'll hear from:

• John Davey – Assistant to Senator Nessa Cosgrove

• Max – Sligo Disabled Persons Organisation (DPO)

• Bill – DLR PPN Secretariat

• Mandy – Shankill Daycare Centre, DLR PPN representative

• Pippa – Sligo Disabled Persons Organisation and PPN Secretariat

• Dr Akeem – Dublin PPN representative

• Joan – Sligo Cycling Campaign and Sligo PPN Secretariat

• Kay – DLR PPN representative and former member of the Secretariat

• Craig – Sligo Chess

• Sheila – Sligo Food and Furniture Bank

• Ruth – Staff member, Dublin City PPN

• Gayle – Sligo Sudbury School

It was a great opportunity to hear from people involved in a wide range of community groups and organisations, all bringing different experiences and perspectives to the table.

The PPNs play an important role in connecting community and voluntary groups, environmental organisations and social inclusion groups with local decision-making. Visits like this help members understand more about how the different levels of government work and where community voices fit into the bigger picture.

It was also a chance to meet people from other PPNs, share experiences and make new connections.

A big thank you to Senator Nessa Cosgrove for the invitation, to John Davey for accompanying us, John the usher for the wonderful tour, and to everyone who made the visit such an interesting and worthwhile day.

In this episode of Sligo Community Voices, Val chats to Bridget, the manager of the Sligo Cancer Support Centre, about the charity and the services they offer, not only to cancer patients, but to family members.

Sligo Cancer Support Centre offers a place of peace and hope. A place where you and your family can access one to one support, counselling, holistic therapies, various workshops and information in a caring and tranquil environment in the North West of Ireland.

Find out more on the website: https://www.sligocancersupportcentre.ie/

Or call 071 9170399Email: [email protected]

In this episode of the Sligo PPN Sligo Community Voices, Val visits Tubbercurry Old Fair Day, and chats to some of the committee members and some of the crafts people involved in the day.

You will hear:

Michael, who travels the country with his Threshing machine.

Music from Eugene Lambe who has been playing the uilleann pipes for over 70 years.

Woodturner Eoin, who is also the ambassador for Heritage Week.

Louise, the chair of the Old Fairy Day.

Basket Maker Tom, who is carrying on a tradition of basket making.

Local signwriter Damien, who is a regular visitor at the fair day.

Kate from West Country Willows.

Tom and Sean, committee members.

Thanks so much to everyone who took part in the podcast. You can visit the website to find out more about the Tubbercurry Old Fair Day.

In this episode of Sligo Community Voices, Val is joined by Dee who is one of the committee members of Sligo Pride.

You can hear all about the Sligo Pride Festival, which takes place from Friday August 14th - Sunday August 20th. Keep up to date with all the events on the Facebook Page.

The first event is the Prism Ball, and tickets are selling very fast - you can buy yours here: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/sligo-pride-prism-ball-tickets-1995912681559

Val visits The Melodics in this episode of Sligo Community Voices from the Sligo PPN.

The Melodics are a singing for wellbeing group that meet weekly in the Tubbercurry Family Resource Centre from September to June.

In this podcast episode you'll hear from Maria the facilitator, and some of the members of the group. You'll also hear a lovely song.

The Melodics welcome new members to join them in September.

In this episode of Sligo Community Voices, Val chats with Una and Ken from the Sligo Cycling Campaign about their work to make cycling in Sligo safer, more accessible, and more enjoyable for everyone.

From advocating for better cycling infrastructure to encouraging more people to choose active travel, Una and Ken share the campaign's vision for a healthier, more connected, and more sustainable community. We discuss the benefits of cycling for people of all ages, the challenges facing cyclists in the county, and how local residents can get involved in shaping a more bike-friendly Sligo.

You can also hear more about the proposed Sligo Seaway Route.

Follow the Sligo Cycling Campaign on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SligoCyclingCampaign/

In this episode of Sligo Community Voices, Val chats to Sandra - the manager of the Tubbercurry Family Resource Centre.

The centre is a wonderful place in the heart of Tubbercurry, and they offer services for all of the community, including all ages and backgrounds.

Sandra explains more about the workshops, classes, and groups that the centre hosts.

Tubbercurry Family Resource Centre took part in the “Power to Change” project led by Atlantic Technological University in partnership with the Sligo Public Participation Network. They took on board some of the suggestions from the project, and have made several upgrades to their building, including better access for people with disabilities.

You can find out more about the centre on their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/tubbercurry.frc

In this episode of Sligo Community Voices, Val visits The Showgrounds - the home of Sligo Rovers, and meets Commercial Manager Donagh Oates and Football and Social Responsibility (FSR) Officer Jamie Murphy.

Donagh and Jamie talk about the ongoing community, sustainability and integration work at the club, as well as plans for redevelopment, and the upcoming 100 year celebration.

Sligo Rovers is one of the only supporter owned clubs in Ireland, and is open to all. Find out more on their website: https://www.sligorovers.com/You can find out all about the Sligo Rovers Community Groups and how you can get involved on the Rovers in the Community Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61562128446711

In this episode of Sligo Community Voices, Val chats to Nigel - the Marketing & Development Manager of The Hawk's Well Theatre in Sligo town.

The Hawk's Well is a huge part of the Sligo community, with many residents spending time on the stage. The theatre hosts a number of events including music, community groups, and of course shows, and you can hear more on the podcast.

Nigel also tells Val about the Shine group - AParticipation Programme with Young Adults with Intellectual Disabilities.

You can also hear about The Art Deco Theatre in Ballymote, and what you can expect to see there, including a family film club.

Visit the Hawk's Well Theatre Website here: https://www.hawkswell.com/

And the Art Deco Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/p/Art-Deco-Ballymote-61581603966796/

In this episode of the Sligo PPN Sligo Community Voices Podcast, Val speaks to many of the organisations who attended the Sligo PPN Community Expo and Power to Change Launch at the Clayton Hotel on May 18th, 2026.

You can hear about some upcoming events, and how you can get involved with the different organisations in Sligo.

Thanks so much to everyone who took part:

Emer - Mental Health Ireland Development Officer in Sligo/Leitrim https://www.mentalhealthireland.ie/

Mary from Tubbercurry Family Resource Centre https://tubbercurryfrc.com/

Valerie and Rita from ICA Sligo https://www.facebook.com/sligoica/

Dee and Charlotte from Sligo Pride https://www.facebook.com/sligopridefestival 

Charles from the IGBO Association https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61562745264694

Craig from Sligo Chess https://sligochessfestival.com/

Tracey from Clann Credo https://www.clanncredo.ie/ 

Monica from the Irish Cancer Society talking about the Relay for Life Sligo https://www.relayforlife.ie/event/sligo/home

Ronald from Sligo Leader Partnership https://www.sligoleader.ie/ 

Sidonie from Sligo Global Kitchen https://www.facebook.com/foodsies/

Philip from M-PACT, an initiative of Alcohol Forum Ireland https://alcoholforum.org/ 

Yvonne- Power to Change  https://www.sligoppn.com/power-to-change/ 

Aisling from the Sligo DPO - listen to the full Sligo PPN DPO episode here https://www.sligoppn.com/sligo-community-voices-podcast-episode-8/

Pippa - Autism Friendly Sligo https://www.facebook.com/Autism.Friendly.Sligo 

Clíodhna  PEM Technology Gateway https://www.pemcentre.ie/

Joan - Sligo Cycling Campaign https://www.facebook.com/SligoCyclingCampaign

Joseph from Tubbercurry Men's Shed https://www.facebook.com/Tubbercurryms 

Caroline from DVAS https://domesticviolence.ie/

Jason from Alone https://alone.ie/ 

Deirdre - Mebh's Dragon Warriors  - dedicated PPN Podcast: https://www.sligoppn.com/sligo-community-voices-podcast-episode-6/

Carolina - Cranmore Coop https://www.cranmore.ie/ 

Aisling - Sligo Volunteer Centre - dedicated PPN Podcast: https://www.sligoppn.com/sligo-community-voices-podcast-episode-5/

Fidelma - Age Friendly Sligo https://agefriendlyireland.ie/programmes/local/sligo/ 
Mairead - Sligo Local Community Safety Partnership https://www.sligococo.ie/LCSP/

Frank - Diversity Sligo https://diversitysligo.ie/ 
Nike - Aremoja Women's Group https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100069549033342