Sligo-Help for newbies.

[carlowmike]

Best remain calm ,
I will be up in Sligo later this week and will find out what is happening .
My information is that the Traffic Plan as presented to us is the best way of avoiding congestion before or after the Concerts.
For those not availing of the Priority Bus service the plan is
for taxis to drop concert goers at Carney village, the village will be serviced by a large fleet of mini-buses bringing passengers the remainder of the way to Lissadell ( no idea of fare yet ).
I believe that Carney will act as a pick-up point for taxis following the concert. (although this has to be confirmed ).
The distance from Carney to Lissadell is about 2 miles. ( walkable )
"taxi" suggests possibility of "Walking - Swimming" to Concert if matters get out of hand
I am reminded of Puck in Midsummer Night Dream:
Over hill, over dale,
Thorough bush, thorough brier,
Over park, over pale,
Thorough flood, thorough fire,
I think anything is achievable for a Leonard Cohen fan attending a Leonard Cohen Concert , carlowmike.

[oran mor]

hello all,
Does anybody know about entertainment before the big man.
big O

[ladydi]

Hi oran mor,

There is no opening act for Leonard. He IS the act! However, if you will be in Sligo for 2-3 days, do wander into either the Garavogue or Shenanigans pubs....there will be several Irish groups performing. In fact, I don't think you will have any lack of music in the area for several days!!!! Enjoy...and we look forward to sharing time with you!

All the best,
Diana

[hannyb]

Hello all, we are looking for a double room somewhere in Sligo and surroundings – not much luck so far. If anyone has information about available accommodation for July 31st and August 1st it would be very much appreciated: hanny_b2@yahoo.com. Thank you.

[carlowmike]

Just back from another successful trip to Sligo,
plenty of information to follow in the next few days
Of immediate concern ( in view of a recent Posting from "taxi")
is the news that taxi owners / drivers are happy with the transport arrangments for Concerts via drop-off point in Carney village Sport's Grounds .

by hannyb » Wed Jul 07, 2010 7:00 pm

Hello all, we are looking for a double room somewhere in Sligo and surroundings – not much luck so far. If anyone has information about available accommodation for July 31st and August 1st it would be very much appreciated: hanny_b2@yahoo.com. Thank you.

Rooms still available here hannyb.
Rates from 39 euro for a single room to 58 euro for a double.
Priority Bus pick-up to and from the Concerts :
Innisfree International College & Convention Centre

http://www.iiccc.info 071-9119911 info@iiccc.info 086 6005106

[carlowmike]

( news on The test run concert )
From Sligo Champion July 7th.
Five 40 ton trucks will roll into Sligo this week in preparation for Westlife "The Homecoming" gig on July 30th.
As crews start to ready the venue for the first major concert ever to take place in the stately grounds,
a thirty man crew will start to assemble the 42 metre massive stage.
The stage will feature a huge lighting rig which will use in excess of 10,000 watts.
Six cameras will shoot and capture the band's live on-stage performance and beam them to colossal high definition screens set up on either side of the stage which will compliment the state of the art sound system.
The show will use in excess of three thousand metres of cable.
As the night draws to a close and darkness desends on Lissadell, fans can expect a major showstopper as a giant robot explodes with pyrotechnic fireworks setting the stage alight before a confetti shower covers the entire crowd.
.

[Aido]

Hi Carlowmike and others,
you're playing a blinder. Keep it up. You posted earlier about the priority buses going from and to Sligo and hotels. Does this include hotels outside Sligo town. My wife and I are staying in the Yeats Country hotel. Do you have any idea how we stand vis vis the buses?? Thanks...........23 days and counting!!!!

[FOXWOOD]

As the night draws to a close and darkness desends on Lissadell, fans can expect a major showstopper as a gaint robot explodes with pyrotechnic fireworks setting the stage alight before a confetti shower covers the entire crowd.

Can the robot be rebuilt and the firedamaged stage be repaired in time for Leonard's concert on Saturday?

[carlowmike]

by Aido » Thu Jul 08, 2010 10:46 pm

Hi Carlowmike and others,
you're playing a blinder. Keep it up. You posted earlier about the priority buses going from and to Sligo and hotels. Does this include hotels outside Sligo town. My wife and I are staying in the Yeats Country hotel. Do you have any idea how we stand vis vis the buses?? Thanks...........23 days and counting!!!!

Priority Bus leaving Yeats Country Hotel in Rosses point @4.30 €11.00 return,
you should book online at :
http://www.DiscoverSligo.com or by calling Discoversligo office at 071 91 47488.

[carlowmike]

by oran mor » Wed Jul 07, 2010 12:59 am

hello all,
Does anybody know about entertainment before the big man.
big O

From Clare in POD office this morning ;
Hi Michael,

it's looking like Leonard Cohen will come onstage about 7.30pm,
but it's still not confirmed. There will be no support act.

[carlowmike]

by rpan » Fri May 21, 2010 5:06 pm

My final suggestions for meeting on Tuesday.

A charity tie-up
I think it is nice that the businesses of Sligo are going to get such a boost but I suggest that there could also be a charity tie-up as people are going to have a few bob to hand for sure. Not noticed that at other concerts but would the LC organization have any objection?

Regarding rpans suggestion for a Charity event / collection during the Leonard Cohen weekend.
I met with Sean Cunningham of Shenanigans yesterday, he told me that the nominated charity for the Concerts weekend collection is
Bill W. Club,
the Bill W. Club (http://www.billwclubsligo.com) "promotes the personal development of all in recovery from any addiction and the development of social skills in a safe environment".
Boxes will be placed around the town and Concert Venue for those who wish to contribute. Sean has told me that it will not be a "cans-in-your-face" collection but boxes / drums will be placed around Sligo in the hope that should concert-goers feel the need to get rid of some loose change they have somewhere to deposit it. .

[Aido]

Hi Carlowmike and others,
you're playing a blinder. Keep it up. You posted earlier about the priority buses going from and to Sligo and hotels. Does this include hotels outside Sligo town. My wife and I are staying in the Yeats Country hotel. Do you have any idea how we stand vis vis the buses?? Thanks...........23 days and counting!!!!

Thanks alot. Sorted. Getting excited!! 22 days!!

[carlowmike]

When I was in Sligo yesterday I took a taxi out to Lissadell ( 8 mile).
Taxi service for Concerts will end at the Sports Grounds adjacent to Carney village.
Carney village is about 6 mile from the town, ( 2 mile from Lissadell) .
The taxi fare to Carney is approx 16 euro,
shuttle / mini buses will take passengers the remainder of the journey to the Concert Venue for approx 2 euro per passenger.
Having travelled the roads and lanes to the Venue yesterday I believe that
the Traffic Plan is very well thought out by Robbie Butler and Keith McNair and in its present format will greatly reduce congestion before and after the Concerts.

[carlowmike]

Yesterday I was told that several organizations including the "Coming Together for Sligo" committee are promoting a recruitment drive for volunteers to act as "ambassadors" during the Concert weekend .
This idea was first mentioned by Forum member "jeney" as a suggestion for me to bring to the "Coming Together for Sligo" meeting in June. It is now being acted on , thank you jeney .

Ambassadors will be required to operate at various spots around Sligo town and assist visitors.
Both the volunteers and front line business staff will receive training the week prior to the Concerts and the "ambassadors" will be clearly identifiable on the streets, they will be placed in key locations.
Several training sessions for volunteers will take place and it is hoped that businesses will avail of the opportunity to have their staff informed and updated of relevant details pertinent to the Concerts and also be knowledgeable on other aspects relating to Sligo.
Bernie Chambers of Sligo Airport said she was delighted with the support and positive feedback they have received to date.
It is arranged that hotels will provide volunteers with meals over the weekend.
Further information on http://www.volunteersligo.ie .
Please Note: This thread is just about to go over 10.000 views ..( since 14th May ) .funny that , as sometime ago there were a few members who claimed it was unwanted and unneccessary .. ...
where are they now, I wonder , ( as we open a bottle of Champers) ~~~~~~~~~
carlowmike

[musicmania]

Tickets may also be purchased at the old discoversligo office on the Quays in Sligo town over the weekend of the Concert,
Keith McNair did emphasise yesterday that tickets cannot be purchased on boarding the bus, all fares must be booked and paid for beforehand.

What about the people who won't know about this in advance and attempt to drive out. Where are the people with cars gonna park. Leonard has a lot of elderly fans who may find the walk from Carney too streneous if they can't buy a ticket for the bus there on the day. Not everyone is on online and will know about this.

Have to say though you are doing a great job and I like the idea of the volunteers.