Inexpensive Social Activities/Gatherings in Sligo

Hello Folks, I enjoy your site & its with some trepidation that I post this first post.

I've recently realized that I have been in a 'funk' for the guts of a year, unintentionally increasingly isolating myself from people, generally only leaving the house to work with the animals i care for, or go for groceries once a week, etc. But it has come to a head in the last few weeks & it's like "I" am back. I've applied & been accepted into College, to start a new career change, doing what i love. I'm single & in my early 30's, am nervous & excited about this new step. Can't wait for college to start, so I can get busy, meet & chat with other folks. With this comes the search for a positive sociable job, which i am on the hunt for.

I'm battling loneliness & restlessness. My friends are supportive, tho they are all busy with their own lives & families. So I'm looking for sociable activities in the evenings, mornings, weekends... anything that I could take part in, time-permitting. The catch is that at the moment my funds are extremely tight. Even @ 10Euro per activity per day, that's 50-70E/pw (Not to mention fuel etc). I've never been a fan of going to pubs/clubs on my own. When I do rarely go, its not to get bladdered drunk. Its more about having a good time with the person/people i am with.

Would any of ye have any suggestions of social meet-ups, any activity/event/topic/genre/exercise/reason, any time of day/night, that are cheap/free at all? I'm open to all ideas. I'm a closet photogaphy fan, would be great to join up with other enthusiasts, taking snap-happy shots of this 'n that some time. Would love to try out Zumba, I love dancing (incl ballroom etc, tho also not done so in yrs). Even a movie night somewhere. I enjoy just about anything that stimulates the mind & brings a smile & would like to hang out & chat with people, have a laugh...

I read that Oxfam are looking for volunteers, might go offer a few hours. Then there is the beach clean up on Cliffony Beach, Saturday@ 11am. Gymkhana on Sunday @10am near Collooney. I saw something about boxercise, which sounds fun. Am keeping an eye on Meetup.com as well, and a few FB pages. It can be a challenge to fight the urge to just stay home, I'm trying to combat that by reminding & asking myself how that's been working for me so far... Hoping this wasn't too long-winded, & that the suggestions given will help other folks too.