Diamond Coast Hotel, Enniscrone to host International Chess Festival
Dates: Friday 30 January – Sunday 8 February 2026
Location: Diamond Coast Hotel, Enniscrone
Located just minutes from Ballina in North Mayo, the Diamond Coast Hotel, Enniscrone will host one of the most ambitious cultural and sporting festivals ever staged in the region as the Sligo Chess & Culture Festival returns in 2026 with a greatly expanded programme.
Taking place over ten days, the festival will be centred at the Diamond Coast Hotel, a valued Mayo North Tourism member, and will extend into the wider surrounding area. While organised by Sligo Chess Club, Enniscrone’s close proximity to Ballina and the wider North Mayo region makes the festival easily accessible for visitors staying or travelling within Mayo North.
The festival has built a strong reputation for quality and professionalism. What began as a weekend tournament has grown into a multi-event international festival, attracting players, families and visitors from across Ireland and overseas.
At the heart of the 2026 programme are four chess tournaments, including a prestigious seven-day, nine-round classical tournament. This internationally recognised format awards master-title norms and will be the only open tournament of its kind in Ireland, firmly placing the region on the international chess map and attracting high-level competitors from across Europe.
Education and youth engagement remain central to the festival’s ethos. Dedicated morning tournaments will welcome students from regional primary and secondary schools, allowing young players to compete in a professional setting using internet-enabled smart chess boards. Teachers and players will also benefit from workshops and analysis sessions delivered in partnership with chess.ie, supporting chess education and learning across the northwest.
Community involvement and cultural participation are also key elements of the festival. A wide range of public events will take place throughout the ten days, including themed social evenings, traditional music sessions, an astronomy night, guided nature walks, outdoor heritage games such as giant chess and brandubh, and a community beach clean organised in partnership with Clean Coasts.
These activities are designed to ensure the festival is accessible and welcoming to the wider public, not just chess players.
The festival is expected to deliver significant economic benefits during the off-peak tourism season, with hundreds of overnight stays projected across hotels, guesthouses and self-catering accommodation in Enniscrone, Ballina and the wider North Mayo area, bringing valuable business to the region at a traditionally quieter time of year.
More information is available at sligochessfestival.com.