The Leitrim Gathering

The Leitrim Larks were founded with a mission to preserve and celebrate the rich tradition of songs, singing, and storytelling native to Leitrim. Representing the group, traditional singer Fionnuala Maxwell, alongside published author Gerry Bohan, will delight audiences with an array of songs, sounds, and stories that reflect their collaboration on the “Bó” project - a project that honours the cow and explores their profound significance to the Irish people as captured in folklore, songs, stories, and superstitions. Joining them will be two special guests from the Leitrim Larks' “Lend an Ear” sessions. 

The highlight of the evening will be a performance by the renowned Mulligan Family, acclaimed in traditional music circles both nationally and internationally. Led by master piper Néillidh Mulligan, this musically gifted family has a legacy that stretches over five generations. Although they are primarily based in Dublin today, their musical heritage is deeply rooted in Leitrim, with their father, Tom, a talented fiddle and pipe player having come from Bornacoola.

Prepare for an unforgettable evening filled with exceptional music, song, and storytelling that truly celebrates the uniqueness of Leitrim.

About the performers

Fionnuala Maxwell is a traditional singer, composer, researcher, and educator. She has spent years researching traditional singing and co-ordinates The Leitrim Larks Project which seeks to rediscover and revive the forgotten songs, singers, ballad writers and folklore of Leitrim and its surrounding counties. She is currently working with Leitrim Library to curate an accessible online collection of Leitrim’s traditional music and with Heritage Ireland as one of their specialists on the Heritage in Schools panel. Fionnuala writes songs, many that are sung widely at singing sessions. She has been recorded for RTÉ and TG4 and has produced two CDs of local songs and published a children’s book which brings an old traditional song to life. 

Gerry Bohan is a writer and suckler farmer. He tends to his cattle on the same land that his family have farmed for many generations. In a collaboration with visual artist Anna Macleod, his work on their Arts Council-funded grant has culminated into a series of stories which along with four other short stories were published in his book called The Clainings Tree and Other Stories from the Heart of Leitrim. In 2023, he won the MJ McManus Literary Award. He is one of the coordinators of a Heritage Council-funded project called The Leitrim Hawthorn Project. A participant in Amach - to the Field, stories told by Gerry as part of that project have been aired on national radio shows. 

Néillidh Mulligan is one of Ireland’s most distinguished uilleann pipers. He is the fourth generation to carry on this musical tradition and was first taught by his father Tom Mulligan, the renowned Leitrim fiddle-player and piper. Néillidh plays with his four children Fiachra, Caoimhe, Oisín and Éabha, who play a range of musical instruments including Fiddle, Pipes, Flute, Harp and Concertina. His two daughters are also renowned sean-nós dancers.

This event is fully booked.

The Leitrim Design House will host Bairbre Kennedy of Lichen Ceramics for a hands-on workshop where you'll learn how to transform your sketches into beautifully decorated greenware pots using the Sgraffito technique. This immersive session from 10.30am to 1.30pm will guide you through the process of etching intricate designs onto clay, bringing your artistic vision to life.

This event is fully booked.

Weave your own Leitrim Potato Basket! Join Helena Golden (aka Willow Woman) for a hands-on workshop from 11am—3pm, when you’ll learn to weave your own traditional Leitrim potato basket. As you craft your basket, discover the rich stories and traditions behind this once-essential household item. No experience needed — just bring your enthusiasm and enjoy this unique cultural experience!

Admission is free. Please book your place here.

This event is fully booked.

The Leitrim Design House will host a Print-to-Stitch workshop with Catherine Gray. Unleash your creativity in this hands-on monotype printing workshop with Catherine! Learn how to create stunning prints using fabric and paper, while exploring mark-making and printing techniques in a fun and playful environment. Join us from 2pm to 5pm.

Join Leitrim County Council, The Rediscovery Centre and Leitrim textile repair professionals for an afternoon of sustainability and creativity at our Rediscover Fashion event from 2—6pm! Participate in hands-on workshops, including a Repair Café to fix your beloved garments, a Swap Rail to refresh your wardrobe, and other creative fashion workshops. A fun, eco-friendly experience to give your clothes new life!

Admission is free. For more information, visit theleitrimgathering.com

This event is fully booked.

An immersive exploration of connection and distance at The Dock, where Northwest Ireland's emigrant experiences come to life through multiple art forms. Musicians, writers, and visual artists weave together the threads of separation and belonging across generations, blending historical accounts with imaginative storytelling.

From faded letters to instant messages, this collaborative performance at 7pm invites audiences to journey through time, experiencing how we've maintained bonds across oceans. Interactive installations and fictional narratives illuminate the changing yet timeless nature of our connections to home.

Featuring music, poetry, invented correspondence, and visual elements that celebrate Leitrim's distinctive relationship with its scattered children - and the many ways they've found to remain part of the conversation, both real and imagined.

Creative Team: Rhona Trench (Director/Writer), Carole Coleman (Journalist), Sarah Searson (Visual Artist/Curator/Writer), Donal Conaty (Writer), Sorcha O'Malley (Theatre Designer/Visual Artist), Ashling Gormley (Researcher), David Roberts (Creative Designer), Edel Rowley (Musician/Foliage/Woodland Elements), Alla Crosbie (Pianist).
 

Join Fiona from Sundew Crafts from 11am in the Leitrim Design House for a fun and creative weaving workshop, perfect for all ages! Learn how to craft your own 'Ojos de Dios' using colourful wool and dogwood sticks, a traditional handmade decoration with spiritual and artistic significance. This hands-on session is a great opportunity to explore weaving techniques, express your creativity, and take home a beautiful, handcrafted piece. No prior experience needed — just bring your enthusiasm!

Admission is free. No booking required.