LOUGH GARA: PAST & PRESENT is a celebration of the fascinating archaeology and biodiversity of Lough Gara in counties Sligo and Roscommon. Once a major feature of the landscape and of people's daily lives- from practical uses such as travel, fishing & materials, to religion- the lake has over the years assumed much less importance & significance for residents of the area.

However, Lough Gara remains a major archaeological area of interest; indeed one of international significance. Over 400 possible crannóg sites are situated in and around the lake. These range in date from the Mesolithic (some of Ireland’s earliest known inhabitants) to the 17th century and the last remnants of Gaelic society. Naturally, the lake has had a major role in shaping the local community, identity and geography as we know it today.

 

The project kicked off in May 2025 with a series of workshops exploring heritage crafts in some way associated with Lough Gara, in association with Ballaghaderreen Men’s Shed and sponsored by a Roscommon County Council Creative Roscommon bursary. It continues in July & August 2025 with two exhibitions to run as part of both Boyle Arts Festival & Ballaghaderreen Arts Festival.