Now in its 11th year, Culture Night is back again to tap into the fabric of Irish art, folklore, song, dance, music, cinema, performance, and pretty much everything in between. From museums and galleries to outdoor entertainment, tonight will see opera singing, 1916 commemorations, 3D animation light shows, and an exploration of the 70m people, and counting, around the world who hold a place for Ireland in their hearts and minds.
While Culture Night may have started out as a Dublin event, it is now well and truly a national event, with every county town getting in on the action. No matter where you are in Ireland – not to mention Leeds, New York, and Paris – arts and cultural organisations open their doors until late with hundreds of free events, tours, talks and performances for you, your family and your friends to engage with.
With more than 3,000 free events in more than 1,400 venues at more than 40 locations, you can’t cover it all. So be sure to check out the official Culture Night website for tonight’s programme. But here’s Newstalk’s pick of a handful of events worth checking out around the country...
Dublin
- The Abbey Theatre, 5pm to 11pm
Three separate events will take place at the National Theatre on Lower Abbey Street. Starting at 5pm, Meet Your Makers will offer an insight into the work that goes on behind the scenes at the Abbey. From 5.30pm, (The) Play’s the Thing is a workshop exploring how playwriting differs from other forms of writing, like poetry or novels. Finally, at 6.30pm, The Irish Theatre Movement will look at the foundation of the National Theatre, exploring its effect on the burgeoning nation, and consider its legacy.
- The GPO, An Post, 5.30pm to 9pm
Celebrate Culture Night 2016 with a visit to the General Post Office. Send a limited edition Culture Night postcard to family and friends both at home and abroad. The postage is paid courtesy of An Post. Take part in the An Post Children's Quiz - ideal for family fun - and be in with a chance to win a One4all Gift Card. Enjoy an evening of live music and song in the iconic GPO.
- Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, 6pm to 10pm
2016 marks the centenary of the first broadcast in Ireland which took the form of a Morse code transmission from the GPO in Easter 1916. Join the BAI as we celebrate 100 years of Irish radio with a collection of recordings and recollections of memorable radio events from Irish history.
- Boomtown Rollers, 6pm to 10pm
Roller derby is a hard-hitting fast-paced sport which is growing rapidly in popularity. On Culture Night you will get a chance to meet the league, put on a pair of skates and try it out. There will also be a photo exhibition, video clips, face painting, roller derby face cut out board and live demonstrations of full contact roller derby. Take the chance to ask for our upcoming recruitment session in the end of September that is open for anyone over 18.
Galway
- What Foremothers? by Anam Theatre in the Galway Arts Centre, 7.30pm to 8.30pm
As a taster for our upcoming remounting of What Foremothers ? in October, Anam Theatre are holding a special event for Culture Night in which our performers present the lives and poetry of the six female Irish poets whose work underpins the final production. Discover a world of forgotten literary history, while indulging in a treasure trove of lost words - this hour-long event will finish with a brief discussion around the question “What defines a literary canon?”
- Oíche Oscailte, Club Árus na nGeal, 8pm to 11pm
Ceol agus amhránaíocht, ceardlanna damhsa, ranganna Gaeilge, seisiún ceoil do dhaoine óga, taispeántais scannáin agus neart eile! Tá fáilte roimh chách, is cuma cén chumas Gaeilge, ná scileanna damhsa atá ionat!
Music and song, dance workshops, Irish classes, music sessions for young people, film shows and lots more! Everyone welcome, regardless of your Irish language or dance skills!
- Galway Community Circus, St Joseph’s Community Centre, 4pm to 5pm
Asking you to let out your inner child, why not answer the invitation to finally run away to the circus? This is an afternoon of workshops in aerial yoga, hula-hooping, balancing and games.
This event will leave you feeling energised and uplifted - no better way to start your Culture Night experience!
Cork
- African Irish Gospel Choir Cork, City Hall, 6.30pm to 7.15pm
The African Irish Gospel Choir Cork will be singing afro beat songs and highlife music and performing an African cultural dance and instrumental display.
- CIT Crawford College of Art & Design, Sharman Crawford St, 6pm to 8.30pm
In a break with their recent years of hands-on displays, visitors can instead get an impression of what life at the art college is like. Come along if you’d like to visit a life-drawing class; view film screenings; witness demonstrations in ceramics, glass, textiles and print workshops or get a taste of a photographic studio and darkroom in operation. Staff and students will be available to talk with visitors about their work and there will be an opportunity to see sample portfolios, so that anyone thinking of applying to art college can get a sense of how to build up and structure a portfolio.
- Cork Community Art Link, The Lido, 71 Watercourse Road, 5pm to 10pm
Cork Community Art Link will screen a classic film matinée followed by an open viewing of the organisation’s work space at the former Lido Cinema. There will be past and current projects on display as well as a variety of performances throughout the evening.
Limerick
- An Evening with Kate O’Brien, Boru House, 7pm to 9pm
To Celebrate the Limerick author Kate O'Brien a series of readings will take place through the evening in Boru House, her former home in Mulgrave street. The event is organised by the Limerick Literary Festival in honour of Kate O'Brien who celebrated their 32nd edition this year.
- A taste of Trad, University Concert Hall, 5pm to 11pm
Get Culture Night off to a great start with this lunchtime performance by students of the prestigious MA Irish Traditional Music Performance & Irish Traditional Dance Performance postgraduate courses. Liven up your lunchtime with this midday taste of Trad on campus!
- Kayaking with Sailing with Nevsail, The Hunt Museum, 4.30pm to 8.30pm
Free watersports with Nevsail at the Hunt Museum on Friday 16th September from 4.30pm.A great opportunity in a safe and fun way to get on the river Shannon and learn all about Limerick, as we head towards the many amazing sites including King John's Castle, the Treaty Stone, Thomond & Sarsfield Bridges to name but a few, as they bring to life over 800 years of dramatic local history.
Waterford
- The Art & Artists of Waterford Walls, 5 Georges Street, First Floor, 6pm to 8pm
Visit the Waterford Walls Studios & HQ in Georges Street and enjoy an exhibition of artworks by the 40 artists who created murals across Waterford for this years Waterford Walls International Street art Project in Waterford City. A guided artwalk of the Waterford Walls also begins at 6.00pm. Take a tour of over 30 of the cities murals and find out more about the reason behind them and the artists who created them. Departing from Waterford Walls HQ at 6pm, the artwalk will take approximately two hours.
Kilkenny
- A Tale told in Thread and Cloth at Rothe House & Garden, Parliament Street, 6pm to 8pm
Visitors will have the chance to see some of the magnificent costume collection up close. Our curator has chosen some special items from storage which will be on display for one night only. The curator herself will be on hand to speak about the costumes and the challenges of looking after such important pieces. There will also be some not-so-precious costumes on display so that kids of all ages can get the chance to dress up!
- Throwdown at the National Craft Gallery, Castle Yard, 5pm to 9.30pm
Bring your picnic and join us for a craft THROWDOWN on Culture Night! Adults can enjoy a glass of wine, talks and demos while children roll up their sleeves and get crafting in our free workshops.
Join our investigation of clay, from rolling and shaping, marking and making, to throwing and firing. We have hands-on workshops and family creative spaces to suit all ages and abilities. In the surrounds of the Castle Yard, enjoy getting to know this ancient material and the processes involved in the transformation from soil to ceramic.
