Slip on your dancing shoes, polish your pearls and get ready to spin back through the decades – Cairde Sligo Arts Festival is hosting a Vintage Ball Fundraiser that promises to be equal parts glamour and good old-fashioned craic. Taking place at the magnificent Temple House Estate, this glittering evening will transport guests into the golden age of jazz, swing and blues – all in support of Cairde’s ambitious 2026 arts programme.
At the heart of the night is the legendary Gramophone Disco, a beloved phenomenon that has wowed crowds at The Haunt, Electric Picnic and Body & Soul. Known for its irresistible mix of vintage sounds and all-out dancefloor energy, the Gramophone Disco is less a DJ set and more a time-traveling adventure – spinning tunes from a bygone era. Expect a strictly pre-1960s selection of jazz and Latin grooves, R’n’B and blues, rockabilly and swing, with the occasional burst of calypso, Broadway and music hall classics. It’s the kind of night where Cab Calloway might rub shoulders (at least musically) with Ella Fitzgerald or Louis Prima, and where rare vinyl gems add unexpected colour to the evening.
Gramophone Disco
The night kicks off in true vintage style with a complimentary cocktail on arrival before the lights dim and the dance floor begins to hum. For those who like to make an entrance, this is the time to go all in: flapper dresses, feathered headpieces and zoot suits and are all strongly encouraged. The theme stretches across the Roaring Twenties to the Fabulous Fifties, offering plenty of sartorial inspiration for vintage lovers and costume enthusiasts alike.
Temple House Estate, County Sligo
Located just outside Ballymote, County Sligo, the Temple House Estate provides a stunning backdrop for a night like this. Its stately architecture and sweeping grounds lend a cinematic sense of old-world glamour.
But this night isn’t just about nostalgia. Proceeds from the Vintage Ball will go directly toward Cairde’s 2026 arts programme, helping to support new artistic commissions, community projects and performances that build on the festival’s role as a vibrant platform for creativity, inclusivity and connection in the northwest.
And while the evening nods to nostalgia, it’s also a celebration of the present – of the creative community that keeps Sligo’s cultural scene alive and evolving. Supported by Ballast Signs, The White Hag Brewing Co., Revert Designs, and The French Market, the Vintage Ball is both a fundraiser and a festival in miniature: one night where art, music, style and community come together.
So, whether you’re a seasoned lindy hopper or a toe-tapper just in it for the fun, this is your chance to step into another era – to dance, laugh and raise a glass to a memorable night out in support of your annual arts festival.
Tickets are going faster than bootleg gin – reserve yours now!
📍 Temple House Estate, Ballymote, Co. Sligo
📅 Saturday 22 November, 2025
🕐 9pm to 2am
🎟️ Tickets available via https://www.cairdefestival.com/2025/vintage-ball
- Event Only: €35
- Event + Return Bus from Sligo Town: €45
Presented By Cairde Sligo Arts Festival
