Bicentenary Weekend – Sept 7th 8th & 9th 2018

Following on from the designation of 2018 as "The Year of Sligo Gaol" by Sligo County Council, Friends of Sligo Gaol will be marking the occasion with a series of events over a weekend in September 2018 including:

Friday: Launch of Friends of Sligo Gaol Graphic Novel

The launch of the Friends of Sligo Gaol's first book, an illustrated 48 page hard back graphic novel for children.

The main character of the book is based on a 11-year- old girl,Brigid McFadden, a figure from the historical record who was incarcerated in Sligo Gaol in 1838.The book will illustrate Brigid’s time in Sligo’s prison, showing the history of the nineteenth century jail, the daily schedule and conditions of Sligo Gaol at that time.

The book is set in Sligo in 1838, the descriptions and drawings of the town etc will be contemporary to this period, including streetscapes, Sligo docks and complete with accurate shop names from the period.

This project would inject new interest into the historic building of Sligo Gaol and will introduce a new generation of children to this building and the stories and history of this site.

Saturday: Conference on Crime & Punishment in the 19th Century

A day long conference on crime and punishment in the 19th century. National and international speakers will present on a range of historical topics related to the history of prisons and in particular Sligo Gaol and its significant place in the history of Sligo and Ireland.

Sunday: Michael Collins Commemoration

As 2018 also marks 100 years since the incarceration of Michael Collins at the jail, the weekend will conclude on the Sunday with a day of visits at the jail and some readings from his diaries from the Cork man's time in the gaol.

More details on these events, include information on how to attend, will be announced in due course.

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