Culture Night 2019

Why should you go out and celebrate Culture Night?

Does anyone else list themselves as: a gig goer, a theatre goer, a lover of Irish Literature, a photographer, a museum explorer or just loves transporting themselves inside the art itself?

If so, the following night might be just up your alley. Even if none of the above is really your cup of tea, bear with me and read why exactly Culture Night is suited for everyone. From family friendly events to events for a group of friends, couples or solo event seekers; this year’s list of events is set to have something for everyone! With over 4,000 events listed to happen across Ireland, let’s jump right into it and find out why YOU should go out and celebrate Culture Night. 

On Friday September 20^th, events across the country will be happening to celebrate Culture Night. It is personally one of my favourite times of the year. One night to truly immerse yourself in something new while celebrating a national event. In the past eight years, I have celebrated the night by volunteering or attending events; this year will be no different! Personally, though, I think this year is going to be my favourite Culture Night to date as, I am happy to report that, I invited a few of my friends to attend the same event as myself and, you know, everything is a hundred times better when it also includes a reunion with friends!

If you are not in the ‘Culture Night Bubble’ you may be asking yourself the following questions which are all important questions that will be answered as best as I can!  

What is Culture Night? Niamh, why in the world is it important to you? Why should I celebrate it? What events are on?

What is Culture Night? 

The most important question of this post! What exactly is Culture Night?

Culture Night is an event that happens once a year to promote and celebrate Ireland’s ‘culture, creativity and the arts’. Venues and organizations associated with arts and culture; will open their doors to host a range of events. Want to know the best bit? They are all FREE! You heard me, free! Beginning to sound like a decent night out if you ask me! For anyone not entirely sure of what is meant by Culture as opposed to heritage it can be summed up in the following sentence:

Culture refers to what people create while, heritage refers to what people inherit by nature, history and culture. 

Of course, when you begin to explore the Culture Night website, it can all seem a bit daunting as there are many different events that can be browsed. My best advice is to use the search engine provided on the top of the website and zone in on the county you want to see. They also have a handy section where you can plan your own trail for anyone, like myself, who is aiming to make a full day out of events! 

The event began at a small scale in Dublin to celebrate all of Ireland’s Culture back in 2006 and, I think you will agree from this post that, the event has grown on an exceptional scale! It is organized by the Department of Heritage and the Gaeltacht in partnership with regional arts offices, local authorities and cultural organizations throughout Ireland. 

Niamh, why in the world is it important to you? 

The academic in me usually comes to the forefront of my mind when this question gets asked. She is very matter of fact and God love anyone who’s willingly gets trapped listening to one of her rants. I did a module in my third year of my undergraduate study focusing on the foundations of the preservation of Ireland’s heritage and Culture. To put it simply my final assignment had me referring to W.B Yeats as Yeatsy and Lady Gregory as Lady G as I battled my way through hundreds of years of people preserving our culture and heritage for the next generation! So, I am both emotional, physically and willingly invested in promoting something dear to me! (Anyone who has written an 8,000 assignment on the preservation of Irish Heritage and Culture will know my pain). 

If, I stopped and thought about my answer. The answer that comes from my heart is simple and straightforward: 

It is important to celebrate one night in the year how amazing this small little Island’s Culture is. From language, literature, music, artwork, photography, dancing, theatre, built heritage, our historical past and our modern day multi nationalism; Ireland today is ever changing, and we need to celebrate just how amazing we are.

Yes, I know that sounds truly up myself but our Culture is one thing that unites our country! Regardless of a person’s political views, age, past times and beliefs, our Culture unites us all! 

Why should I celebrate it?

If you haven’t gone running from this post the next question is probably the first one that came to mind! Why should I celebrate it? 

I’ll answer this plain and simple… Why not? All events are free, it is something to do and hey; you might find yourself enjoying yourself. 

What events are on?

There are many events listed on www.culturenight.ie however, to make things a little easier for our readers I decided to highlight one event per county; plus the events myself and Emma will be attending. 

Friday, during the earlier part of the day, myself and Emma are hoping to spend it in Dublin with several of our friends. We have a few catch ups planned and several exciting activities planned. It will be during the evening when Culture Night will begin for both of us separately. Emma will be heading back to Tullamore while I’ll be staying in Dublin. To any of the doubters here, take a deep breath… Yes, we do things separately! A massive shocker to some but it means, in the future, we can review a range of events! 

Emma’s Evening:

Event: Hazel Coonagh Exhibition

Location: Conway & Co, High Street, Tullamore, Co. Offaly

Time: 6.30-9pm

Like I said before, Emma will be celebrating the night in Tullamore, Co. Offaly. We are not being biased even though it is our lovely friends in Conway and Co. who are hosting a photography exhibition with photographer Hazel Connagh. Upon researching Hazel’s work, I can only say you should go have a look at it. She has some amazing photos and I hope she prides herself on her unique concepts. I never aim to call myself an expert when it comes to photography but, from looking at her website, I love her work! Also, from the description of the event if you happen to pop into this event you will receive a free cup of coffee. I, for one, could talk in lengths about how amazing their coffee is! I’ll save you the lengthy details but, if you are in the area, make sure you pop in! On the night there will also be a donation bucket in aid of Pieta House. 

Niamh’s Evening:

Event: Irish Music Rights Organisation (IMRO)

Location: Copyright House, Pembroke Row, Lower Baggot St, D2, D02 HW59

Time: 6-9pm

My highlight event of the events I have planned on attending this year! Not going to lie, I am excited to head to IMRO’s night with Chasing Abbey, Pillow Queens, Soda Blonde and Tebi Rex. Two of the acts are two of my favourite acts on the Irish music scene at the moment while the other two are completely new to me. It’s a Q&A Night hosted by Paddy McKenna (joe.ie). This event you must apply for your free ticket and, last time I checked, they were still advertising to apply for tickets. I am honestly hoping for the Q&A section to cover some questions that don’t usually get asked to these acts. It is also my first year attending an event like this, you can usually find me at a free gig or historical talks. Let’s be real once I saw Chasing Abbey and Pillow Queens on the line up, I had applied for a ticket before I even fully knew what I was doing!

Now onto the rest of Ireland broken down alphabetically. For a full list of events please see www.culturenight.ie for a full list of events.

Antrim

Event: Seit Fuaimiúl le Caomhín & Nic

Location: 347 Antrim Road Béal Feirste BT15 2HF

Time: 4-6pm

Armagh

Event: Siúlóid Ghaelach

Location: Sráid Thomáis, Ard Mhacha

Time: 7-9pm

A guided walk on the heritage of the Armagh Gaeltacht all in Irish it seems. 

Carlow

Event: A Drag Make-Up and Wig Masterclass with celebrity make-up artist John Paul Payne and Drag Show with Karaoke

Location: Dicey Reilly’s

Time: 8.30pm-12am

John Paul Payne as he gives you an insight into the skill and artistry behind how your favourite RuPaul’s Drag Race Queens. Followed by Tadhg performing all the classic party hits!

Cavan 

Event: Historical Tour of Drumlane Abbey and Graveyard

Location: Drumlane Abbey, Milltown, Co Cavan

Time: 7-8.30pm

A historical talk of Drumlane Abbey and Graveyard followed by a night of music and dance in Milltown Community Hall. 

Clare

Event: Slime Labs

Location: Arthur’s Row, Ennis

Time: 5.30-6.30, 6.45-7.45 

One for the kids, booking essential. 

Cork

Event: CIT Blackrock Castle Observatory, family friendly night

Location: Castle Road, Blackrock, Cork

Time: 6-10pm 

One of my favourite places in the entire of Ireland is hosting a night of talks, workshops and astronomy! 

Derry

Event: The Thundering Guns of Derry

Location: The Guildhall, Guildhall St., Derry

Time: 4-8pm

An exhibition on the history of the cannon on the city walls.

Donegal

Event: Inishowen Carnival presents CYBERTRIBE

Location: Ballyboe Glencar, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal

Time: 6-10pm

Main Grass Area

8pm – 8.45pm: Dance Performances Fusion events & Aisling Dance Academy

8.45pm – 9.15pm: Fire Performance In Your Space

9.15pm-10pm: Dance Performances Fusion events & Aisling Dance Academy

Secret Garden

8pm-10pm: Walkabout In Your Space Derry

8.25pm-8.45pm: Dance Performance Zona Dance

9.20-9.35pm: Dance Performance Zona Dance

Down

Event: Holywood Young Culture Night

Location: Church Road Carpark, Church Road, Holywood 

Time: 5.30-7.30pm and 8-10pm 

A range of activities to include live music and film screenings. 

Dublin

Event: Bram Stoker’s Castle Dracula Experience

Location: Castle Dracula, West Wood Gym, Clontarf Rd, D3

Time: 7.30-10pm

This event is now all booked out! You may have missed out on the free tickets but, check this experience out in general! A great day out! 

Fermanagh

Event: Demonstrating Chinese Traditional Arts & Culture

Location: Enniskillen Castle, Enniskillen BT74 7HL

Time: 7-8pm

Calligraphy, paper flowers and lanterns are some of the things you will be learning in this demonstration.

Galway

Event: Session of Trad Music, Song & Dance

Location: Ballinderreen Community Centre, Ballinderreen, Co. Galway

Time 9pm-12am

Exactly what it says in the event title! Trad music, songs and dance hosted by Ceoltóirí and Doirín

Kerry 

Event: Harry Clarke Stained Glass

Location: Green St, Dingle, Co. Kerry

Time: 6.30-7pm

Local Artist Clare O’Halloran will give a talk on the stained-glass windows by Harry Clarke

Kildare

Event: Discover the world through your senses

Location: Candella workshop , 32 Coolaghknock Gardens , Newbridge

Time: 6-8pm

A two hour family friendly workshop that will focus on senses and you will build your own beeswax.

Kilkenny

Event: Storytelling and Film Screening

Location: Watergate Theatre, Parliament Street, Kilkenny

Time: 4-10pm

4pm, 5pm and 6pm are the start times of the storytelling while; 8pm sees a screening of Amazing Grace.

Laois

Event: History & Music at Roundwood House

Location: Roundwood Mountrath Co Laois

Time: 5-7pm

A tour of Roundwood House and music performance. Laois county council are running a free bus, check the website for more information.

Leitrim

Event: Movies and Music

Location: Sligo Road, Carrick on Shannon

Time: 5-9.15pm

Two free screenings of films ‘The Breadwinner’ at 5pm and the ‘Rosie’ at 7pm

Limerick

Event: The Big Limerick Céilí

Location: Dance Limerick (Performance Space, St. John’s Church, John’s Square)

Time: 6-9pm

Longford

Event: Longford and the Irish Revolution

Location: Granard Community Library, Main Street, Granard, Co. Longford

Time: 8-9pm

 Bernard Sexton. Bernard will be discussing the Irish Revolution and Longford’s role in it.

Louth

Event: Backstage Tours

Location: An Táin Arts Centre, Crowe Street, Dundalk, Co. Louth A91 W20C

Time: 7-9.45pm

Three tours of 45minutes of the backstage area of the An Táin Arts Centre.

Mayo

Event: Photography Exhibition

Location: The Photo hub, 3 The Quay, Westport

Time: 5-8pm

A collection of photography, chats and nibbles!

Meath

Event: Preab Meadar, Rhythm and Rhyme

Location: Solstice Arts Centre, Railway Street, Navan, Co. Meath

Time: 7-9pm

Traditional music performance.

Monaghan

Event: From Clones to Chernobyl – 33 years later

Location: Canal Streeet Clones Monaghan

Time: 7-8.30pm

The event will showcase images of how the areas around the nuclear plant and town of Pripyat look today. 

Offaly

Event: Rahan Comhaltas & Guests at Charleville Castle

Location: Charville Castle, Tullamore.

Time: 8-11.30

An evening with poet Roseanna Tyrrell, Daltai Cultural Dance Group from Scoile Mhuire, Raskila Lithuanian Dance Group, Happy City Samba Band and Rahan Comhaltas and friends.

Roscommon

Event: Multicultural Evening of Storytelling, Music and Dance

Location: Trinity Arts Centre, Castlerea

Time: 7-9.30pm

Storytelling, music and dance from an arrange of different cultures. 

Sligo

Event: Theatre Workshop for Families with Sandra O Malley

Location The Factory Performance Space, Lower Quay St, Rathquarter, Sligo

Time: 7-8pm

Ever fancied yourself as an actor or actress? This is a free workshop for all ages!

Tipperary

Event: Tracing your Tipperary Ancestors- Lecture & Workshop

Location:  The Tholsel, Main Street, Fethard

Time: 6.30-7.30pm

For anyone who has been putting off doing your family tree. Trust me, these events are a great starting point if you have ever wanted to do your family tree. 

Tyrone

Event: Scottish Country Dancers Showcase

Location: 37 Fecarry Road, Mountfield BT79 7NJ

Time: 7-11pm

A showcase of Scottish country dancing in collaboration with Mountfield Pipe Band

Waterford

Event: Culture Night Comic Book Workshop

Location: Central Library, Lady Lane, Waterford

Time: 4-5pm 

Suited for children between 7-12 who want to make their own comic books. Booking is essential for this one.

Westmeath

Event: Athlone Castle Children’s Archaeological Dig

Location: Athlone Castle

Time: 5-8pm 

I always wish there were events like this for adults. This one is for the kids though, their very own Archaeological Dig!

Wexford

Event: Enniscorthy Castle Norman Culture Night 

Location: Enniscorthy Castle

Time: 5pm*, 6pm* and 7-8pm

Two events are happening here. The first in two 30-minute workshops: Traditional song workshop for families with Aileen Lambert. While 7-8pm sees a presentation entitled What’s in a name: People, Places and Things of County Wexford with historian and folklorist Michael Fortune.

Wicklow

Event: An Evening with Oscar Wilde compiled and performed by Richard Lynch

Location: Arklow Library 

Time: 7-9.30pm 

Some of Oscar Wilde work being performed for your enjoyment!