Nightlife could be picking up in your area very soon…
A new pilot programme aims to boost the night-time economy in the country, with a lucky six towns being chosen to take part in the scheme.
The lucky towns will be appointed Night-Time Economy advisors to help promote events late into the evening.
Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin said that the advisors would be “a significant step towards securing a vibrant and importantly a more sustainable night-time culture for all our citizens.”
“The selection of these pilot towns and cities is a vital stage in this process and I would like to thank the CCMA and the local authorities for their leadership and support for this process,” Martin added.
“This is in direct response to an action in the Report of the Night-Time Economy Taskforce which I published last year. The Taskforce explored ways in which we could promote a thriving, inclusive and diverse Night-Time Economy.
“It is crucial now that we follow up on their recommendations and act on them to create and support opportunities for audiences, venues, businesses and performers.”
Minister Martin said that funding will be available for a two-year period to support the recruitment of the Night-time Advisors for each of the chosen areas.
The process is being led by the City and County Managers Association (CCMA) which has recently issued the call to all local authorities to apply for funding to establish the role in their town or city.
Applications for towns to apply for the scheme will close on 24 June 2022 and the chosen cities/towns will be announced later this summer.
A number of night-time events are already being planned across the country in support of the scheme.
The Crawford Art Gallery, in Cork City, will host a series of new Thursday night tours until 8pm.
From June through to August, the National Museum of Ireland (NMI) will be opening late on Thursdays and welcoming visitors at both NMI – Decorative Arts and History in Collins Barracks and at NMI- Archaeology on Kildare Street.
The National Library of Ireland will open up the rotunda and reading room to evening audiences with a number of evening events being hosted in the venue from September to December.
The Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) will be holding “IMMA Nights” every Thursday and Friday until mid-September, including workshops, art, dance, theatre, DJs, and live music.
The Museum of Country Life in Turlough Park, Mayo, will be hosting a pilot Night Time Economy Taskforce event this coming Autumn, with full details set to arrive soon.
Last, but not least, the National Concert Hall is developing a festival with a focus on electronic music and visual arts.
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