Sligo and St Angelas Conferring

Thursday 29 & Friday 30 October 2026
ATU Sligo campus

Welcome to the Autumn Conferring 2026 for Sligo and St Angelas. You will find all the information you need for the day right here.

The times and details are as follows:

Thursday 29th & Friday 30th October 2026

ATU Sligo, Ash Lane, Sligo, F91 YW50

Location: Knocknarea Arena

Invitations

All graduands will be sent an e-invite via their Student and personal email addresses 2-3 weeks before the event. The invitation will include a link to an RSVP Form to indicate if you are attending or NOT attending. Please RSVP to ensure you receive your Parchment either on the day or by post.

Please check your spam/junk folders in case your invitation has gone in here.

It is very important to RSVP to be allocated a seat in the Hall.

Update 9 Oct 2026 regarding Guests tickets

Session I, II
There is an unexpected large number of graduands being conferred in Session I and Session II, and this will limit the amount of guests that can be admitted to the Hall. Two Guest tickets will be allocated to graduands on a first come first served basis to those who have responded to the RSVP.

Once capacity has been reached, a ‘Viewing room’ with a live stream will be provided to those guests who cannot be accommodated in the hall.

Sessions II, IV, V VI.
Each graduand will be able to bring 2 guests.

The Ceremony will also be live streamed into a ‘Viewing Room’ where any additional guests you may want to bring can watch the ceremony in this room.

If empty seats are available before the start of the ceremony, additional guests may be accommodated by ATU staff on the days, however these cannot be pre-booked.

Update 27 Oct 2026 regarding Invitations

All graduands were sent an e-invite via their Student email addresses.  The link to RSVP to indicate if you are attending or NOT attending is now closed (23 Oct) and we are preparing seating plans for the sessions.

If you did not RSVP and you wish to attend you should email graduation.sligo@atu.ie immediately with your name and student number. You will be able to graduate but based on capacity we may not have space in the venue to facilitate your guests as some of the sessions are at capacity.

If you sent your RSVP on time you will be allocated a maximum of 2 guest tickets.

Additional tickets have been requested by a number of students, but unfortunately the maximum per student is 2.

The ceremony will also be live streamed into a ‘Viewing Room / Abbvie Auditorium’ where any additional guests you may want to bring can watch the ceremony in this room.

If empty seats are available before the start of the ceremony, additional guests may be accommodated by ATU staff on the days, however these cannot be pre-booked.

Gowning Hire

Those graduating must present in the correct academic gowns, colours, and hats for the Conferring. The last date for booking gowning is 27^th Oct 2026.

Book Your Gown Here

Gowns can be collected from an hour and half before your ceremony in room B1080 on the ATU Sligo campus – please follow signs and directions of staff on the day. You can collect your guest tickets when you collect your gown.

Gowns for sessions on Thursday may be collected between 5-7pm on the Thursday evening.

Gowns for sessions on Friday may be collected between 5-7pm on Thursday evening.

If you cannot collect your gown personally it is acceptable for a family member or friend to collect it in your name, provided they have proof of prebooking. Gowns must be returned to the same area 90 minutes after the ceremony.

For the convenience of ATU students, the University has competitively tendered for the provision of academic gowns. Students may choose to use gowns from alternative suppliers. Please ensure that you obtain the correct gown and colours for your university qualification, following ATU’s Academic Dress code.

Photography

Atlantic Technological University have engaged Lafayette Photography for graduation photography. The University has competitively tendered for this provision.

For students who wish to avail of their service, it is recommended but not essential to pre-book your photography online through the “Graduation Photography” section. Lafayette Photography will have a studio set up on campus. This will be open from two hours prior to your ceremony, closing thirty minutes before your ceremony time. Studios will re-open again after your ceremony. You do not need your parchment for your photograph as a prop will be provided.

On the Day

Due to the number of people involved in the graduation ceremonies, it is important that you arrive early. You are requested to arrive on campus at least one hour in advance, to be gowned, collect guest tickets and seated 30 minutes before the start of your session. Members of staff will assist you.

Once you are gowned, you should enter Knocknarea Arena following the directions of ATU Staff/ATU Ambassadors. Seating plans will be available in reception and outside the venue, indicating your seat number.

You will be seated alphabetically with your programme. It is very important to remain in the correct seat number to receive the correct parchment. Late arrivals may be conferred in absentia. We recommend that graduands do not take bags or coats with them to the ceremony.

During the Ceremony

Following the welcome address, you and your fellow graduands will be guided from your seats by staff to line up at the front near the presentation area.

When your name is called, you should approach the centre front to receive your scroll holder. After you have collected your scroll holder, you should collect your parchment and return to your seat. Staff will provide guidance.

If you do not attend the ceremony, your award will be conferred in absentia, your name will still be called out on the day.

Medical personnel are on duty throughout the ceremony. Finally, before entering the auditorium, please silence your mobile phone.

Doctoral and Research Masters Candidates

Congratulations on the successful completion of your Doctoral or Masters by Research studies at ATU. You will receive an email outlining further details of a rehearsal time and further details of gowning etc.

Contact

Email: graduation.sligo@atu.ie

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