Commercial & Tourism Festivals & Events Category 2
Festival Development Fund 2026 (Limited to 6 Festivals)
| Fund | Festival Development Fund 2026 |
|---|---|
| Frequency | Annually via Open Call (Subject to Funding each year) |
| Application Open | 24th November |
| Application Close | 12th December at 4pm |
| Award | 2nd March (subject to adoption at Council Meeting) |
| Application Process | Circulated by the Festival and Event Coordinator |
| Application submitted to | aquinn@sligococo.ie |
| Grant Threshold | €3,000 per Festival |
| Administrated by | Tourism Unit |
| Contact | aquinn@sligococo.ie |
About the fund:
Along with continued funding towards implementing development and non-financial actions set out in this strategy, 2026 will also see the introduction of a new annual open call for a special development fund for Category 2 Developing Festivals with Potential for Tourism. Subject to assessment criteria to be set out and limited to six successful applicants.
Eligibility:
- Aligning with the Sligo DEDP projects / actions for festivals and events.
- Adopting a professional approach to event management, governance, structure, finance and funding, and providing evidence of maximising revenue opportunities.
- Motivating domestic and overseas tourists to travel to Sligo specifically for the festival and/or encouraging tourists to stay longer in Sligo because of it.
- Having a unique, differentiated and focussed proposition that is firmly embedded in Sligo’s strengths and is hard to replicate in another location.
- Having a clear understanding of audience needs and undertaking regular audience research.
- Animating the Wild Atlantic Way brand proposition and the Visit Sligo brand proposition in promotion and in programming.
- Providing opportunities for audiences to enjoy immersive and participative experiences.
- Demonstrating an ability to leverage existing funding to create a sustainable, long-term future.
- Having sustainability at the heart of decisions and practices.
- Adopting and implementing an ethos of accessibility and inclusivity.
Please note this scheme is by invite only by the Sligo County Council Tourism Unit to developing festivals with potential for tourism.
‘Category 1’ festivals are ineligible to apply.