- Mary O’Hara from Sligo Town, County Sligo: Born May 12, 1935. Soprano and harpist known for her ethereal renditions of Irish folk songs. Her recordings in the late 1950s and early 1960s, such as Songs of Erin, influenced a generation of Irish female singers.
- Michael Coleman from Knockgrania, near Killavil, County Sligo: Born January 31, 1891, died January 4, 1945. Virtuoso fiddler and major exponent of the Sligo fiddle style. His recordings in the 1920s-30s, like “Lord Gordon’s Reel,” shaped Irish traditional music, particularly in the U.S.
- Paddy Killoran from Emlaghgissan, near Ballymote, County Sligo: Born September 21, 1903, died April 24, 1965. Traditional fiddler and bandleader, a key figure in the south Sligo fiddle style. His 1920s-30s recordings, such as “Killoran’s Reel,” were influential in the Irish-American music scene.
- Perry Blake from Sligo Town, County Sligo: Born May 10, 1970. Singer-songwriter known for his melancholic, downtempo style. Albums like Perry Blake (1998) and Still Life (1999) earned critical acclaim in Europe for their introspective lyrics.
- Shane Filan from Sligo Town, County Sligo: Born July 5, 1979. Singer and member of Westlife, a globally successful boy band. Hits like “Flying Without Wings” and Coast to Coast (2000) made him a pop icon.
- Mark Feehily from Sligo Town, County Sligo: Born May 28, 1980. Singer and Westlife member, known for his vocal range in hits like “My Love” and “Swear It Again.” His solo work, such as Fire (2015), explores pop and soul.
- Kian Egan from Sligo Town, County Sligo: Born April 29, 1980. Singer and Westlife member, contributing to albums like World of Our Own (2001). Also a coach on The Voice of Ireland, he’s a prominent figure in Irish pop.
- Carmel Gunning from Sligo Town, County Sligo: Traditional musician, singer, and tin whistle player, also skilled on flute. Known for preserving Sligo’s trad music heritage, she’s a respected figure in Irish folk circles.
- Tommy Fleming from Aclare, County Sligo: Born May 15, 1971. Folk and easy-listening singer known for his emotive performances. Albums like Voice of Hope (2005) and his renditions of Irish ballads have a wide Irish audience.
- Seamie O’Dowd from Sligo Town, County Sligo: Born circa 1960s. Multi-instrumentalist (fiddle, guitar, mandolin) and former Dervish member. His work with bands and solo projects, like Headful of Echoes (2005), blends trad and contemporary styles.
Musicians
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County Sligo:
Ireland’s county Sligo is renowned for its poetic heritage and coastal scenery, with the Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery offering one of Europe’s oldest prehistoric sites. The Benbulben mountain provides striking hiking trails, while Strandhill’s beaches are ideal for surfing. Other attractions include the historic Lissadell House and its gardens. Sligo is Ireland’s 22nd largest county by size (1,796 square km) and seventh smallest by population (70,198). Population peaked at 180,886 in 1841 and reached its lowest point, 50,275 in 1971. In terms of hospitality, Sligo is Ireland’s 17th most visited tourist county with around 133,000 international visitors per year.
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