Culture Night has become a major date in the arts calendar.
Get ready to catch a little culture this Friday, 21 September, as Ireland’s annual nocturnal cultural extravaganza, Culture Night, returns for its 13th year. Colour, creativity and passion will burst from the seams in an explosion of contemporary culture, with over 4,000 events taking place across the country.
We’ve taken it upon ourselves to highlight some of the events happening around the country that are well worth checking out.
RTÉ Open-Air Concert – National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks
Probably the biggest event of the whole night, the free two-hour concert will feature an exciting mix of live music, theatre, comedy and poetry from both established and emerging Irish artists. Some of the artists due to perform are Villagers, Gavin James, Moxie, Waterford Whispers, Mick Flannery and Amanda Coogan.
Julian Gough: Children’s Storytelling – Cashel Library, Tipperary
If you haven’t heard of the Rabbit and Bear books, chances are the kids in your life have. Join this storytelling event to hear Julian Gough read about Rabbit and Bear’s adventures in his latest book featuring… Rabbit and Bear.
Julian Gough is a novelist, playwright, poet, musician and script-writer who, among many other things, wrote the ending to the phenomenally successful computer game Minecraft.
Kerry Film Festival and Cinema, Killarney
Down in Killarney, there will be screenings of two short films this Friday evening, The Silent Child and Little Bird.
The Silent Child is a 2018 Academy Award-winning short and tells the story of a deaf four-year-old who lives in a world of silence until someone teaches her the gift of communication. Little Bird is set against the backdrop of 1941 London and explores how far one young woman will go to create a new life for herself.
Screening of The Breadwinner, The Glens Center, Manorhamilton
If you’re in the direction of Manorhamilton, you can treat yourself to a screening of the Irish language version of the Oscar-nominated film The Breadwinner, from Nora Twomey/Cartoon Saloon, which tells the story of an 11-year-old girl who grows up under the Taliban in Afghanistan in 2001.
Stand-up show, Bow Street Academy for Screen Acting, Dublin
There’s plenty in store for visitors to Bow Street on Friday evening.
In the cinema, they will be screening award-winning short films starring talented graduates of the academy.
And for those who love a laugh, there’s a stand-up show featuring alumni who have gone on to make a splash on the comedy circuit including Eric Lalor, Hannah Mamalis and Stephen Mullan.
Travelling Bus of Culture, Achill Island
Scoil Alca in Achill are taking to the road and bringing Culture Night to a range of venues on a traditional music tour across the island.
Sauras Steet Spectacle – Cashel, Tipperary
Saurus, a performance troupe from the Netherlands, are travelling to Cashel for one night only with what is described as “their elaborate dinosaur-like costumes and stilts”. It promises to be “an awe-inspiring display that will bring Cashel town centre alive” so if you’re in the area and have some free time, it sounds like it’s well worth a look.
Meeting House Square, Temple Bar, Dublin
The Vengabus is coming. Attention Bébé have built up a formidable reputation on the Irish live music circuit for their unique big-band covers of 90s hits. They’ll be bringing major party vibes to Meeting House Square as they head up a Culture Night line-up of music, dance and interactive workouts.
Art Deco and Roaring ’20s Evening – Clones Library, Monaghan
Clones Library will turn back time and transform back to the roaring 1920s with plenty of swing, jazz music and some daring outfits, as well as a tribute to the Art Deco movement of the early 1900s.
LIFE AT THE EDGES, Science Gallery, Dublin
Fancy spending the night on Mars, under the sea or in deep space? A trip to take in the free exhibition, LIFE AT THE EDGES at the Science Gallery could be right up your street. Doors will be open until 10pm on the night.
For full details on what’s on and where for Culture Night, visit the website right here.
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