Flock to The Lough is a community based festival that harnesses a local spirit of voluntary goodwill with musical enjoyment, to bring to the shores of Lough Gara all that is good in togetherness, relaxation and entertainment.

The festival has its origins in a school reunion organised a short number of years ago to bring together the pupils and friends of the now closed, Cloonucunney National School. The sense of coming together and the benefits therein left little choice but to continue the gathering on a more regular and organised basis. This happened for two years before the birth of Flock to The Lough in July 2001.

Raising its sights, the committee invited to Lough Gara's shore the Big Man from Castleblayney and, on a warm Saturday night, Big Tom's music rang out loud and clear on the quiet shores of Lough Gara. The committee knew the right decision has been made and the right guest invited. All there knew this would not be the end of Flock to The Lough. It wasn't!

Diarmuid O'Leary and The Bards headlined our 2002 Festival and a young, neighbour's child, warmed up the crowds. A year later, the neighbour's child returned, backed by his own band under the same management as Big Tom - we were proud to welcome "home" Patrick Feeney and His Band to the Festival of 2003. Over 700 people filled the marquee to dance the night away. The Festival was in full swing. La Bamba, another local and much loved group entertained the many "fans" of the Festival and were a joy to behold!

The Community of Monasteraden, Co. Sligo, in running Flock to The Lough, has not only reached into the entertainment world to bring to the shores all that is good on the Irish Music Scene but has also reached beyond itself to bring to the broader community charitable and much needed support. The Festival of 2001 supported the work of North West Hospice. In 2002 we made a substantial contribution to Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children in Crumlin , in 2003, we purchased medical equipment for the Neo Natal Unit of Sligo General Hospital, 2004 saw us supporting the MS Therapy Centre (Sligo) through the purchase of a long term patient care bed and in 2005 we supported Hope House, Foxford. It is one of the committee's greatest joys and sources of encouragement to support worthy causes. "A community", as we like to put it "helping the wider community".