The shores of Lough Gill were the setting for a festival in County Sligo that in 2019 promised to be the first of its kind in Ireland.
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Due to the pandemic, the “Wild Roots” festival was postponed in 2020 and again in 2021, but the organizers promised to bring it back in 2022.
The three-day event took place June 3-5.
The celebration included classical, indie rock, folk, jazz, and pop concerts, combined with yoga workshops, art installations, artisan food offerings, circus dance, and drama events, pop-up shows, and theater productions.
Outdoor adventures included paddle boarding, boating, and kayaking on Lough Gill, a popular spot for locals and tourists.
The lake is surrounded by woodlands that include Slish Wood, Dooney Rock, and Hazlewood, all of which contain a number of nature trails and viewing points.
Slieve Killery and Slieve Daean can be found on the lake's south shore.
Organizers of this unique County Sligo festival geared the event to regular festival goers, nature lovers, and adventure seekers.
Information on other festivals taking place in Sligo and across the country can be found here.
County Sligo has a lot to offer the tourist, from walking trails, hiking expeditions, surfing, horse riding, and more.
Attractions to See Near Lough Gill
If you find yourself in this part of County Sligo, there's a lot of exploring you can do, including taking a kayak tour of the little islands around Lough Gill; taking the Lough Gill Drive, an easy jaunt from Sligo town with stops at Dooney Rock, Slish Woods, Parkes Castle, Drommaghair village, and the Hazelwood Forest.
Parkes Castle, which is actually located in nearby County Leitrim, is worth seeing.
The castle was once the home of Robert Park and his family. In recent years, it has undergone extensive renovations, including the inclusion of a beautiful Irish oak spiral staircase.
Guided tours take place every hour.