Culture Night 2024: Here’s what’s going on around the country

The hugely anticipated 19^th edition of Culture Night will take place all over Ireland on Friday 20 September

Culture Night/Oíche Chultúir celebrates culture, creativity, and the arts, and seeks to actively promote the belief that our rich and varied culture is alive, treasured, and nurtured in people’s lives, on this day and every day. On 20 September, doors will be open later and special and unique events will take place at participating locations all over the country, free of charge.

With over 1.2 million people attending more than 1,700 events nationwide last year, Culture Night continues to grow as a key moment in the cultural calendar. From music to visual arts, to literature, dance and much more, it is truly an unmissable event.

With that in mind, the Arts Council is highlighting the many ways people can do Culture Night, whether taking a tour, joining a visual arts workshop, moving to the music at a gig or giving something new a go. With something for all needs, ages, ability, mobility and preferences, audiences can check the Culture Night website to find out about accessibility and what will suit them here.

Here’s a snapshot of what will be on offer around the country this Friday evening:

Cork:

• Culture Night at UCC: This year, for this first time, UCC are presenting a cohesive series of events in several locations indoor and out – on the main campus and also in the nearby Granary Theatre and the Confucius Centre. Whether visitors are looking for family events or activities for grown-ups, there will be something for everyone all evening.

• Cork City Library will host a fantastic array of events from Choral Performances from Voiceworks, Readings from Cork Stories, Performance from Irene Kelleher, plus Jimmy Crowley & Eve Telford will be singing a selection of Cork Songs.

• The Everyman will see leading drag haus and pure Cork legends, Mockie Ah! bringing Camp Culture to MacCurtain Street.

• Join world famous Cork kids The Kabin Studio for music jams, workshops and a seisúin ceol suitable for kids of all ages.

• Celebrate Cork City Culture Night at Nano Nagle Place with free entry and a host of activities for all ages. Explore 18th-century fashion, admire the latest art exhibition, or take the stage in their open mic session

• Cork City Council as always offers a range of events at City Hall, from an exhibition about 6-a-side football to chamber music in the concert hall.

Dublin:

• Culture Night explorers are invited for a peek behind the scenes at Pavee Point Traveller and Roma Centre for ‘Life in a Camp’ where travellers will demonstrate some of the traditional skills needed for camp life at the outdoor event featuring recipes from ‘Pavee Peck’ a cookbook by Traveller women. Visitors can also enjoy a special film and performance of Traveller Song.
  
• TASCQ – Curate an Afro-Brazilian-Irish music and dance collaboration and a late-night market. Celebrate the diversity and heritage of Moore Street and North Inner-City Dublin. The street party embraces unity through the universal languages of food, song and dance.
  
• Meeting House Square: JyellowL, Temple Bar and Creative Quarter, Dublin City will see JyellowL bring something for every mood to the stage at Meeting House Square. Giving a high energy performance with impactful lyricism, his dynamic songs are both personal and urgent, and are sure to both make people move while also touching hearts. Other performances at Meeting House Square include BPM Collective, Culchie Goth among others.
  
• Nocturnal Beats: Culture Night Late Venue Trail offers a series of free events showcasing Dublin’s vibrant nightlife. From Index to Tengu, Hen’s Teeth to Fidelity, the trail covers diverse neighbourhoods and cultural hubs. This year, Culture Night introduces seven new venues, welcoming a broader audience and celebrating long into the night. Spanning the City Centre and from Dublin 8 to Dublin 7, the late-night trail explores the city’s heartbeat with traditional nightclubs, late-night bars, and cultural spaces. Featuring DJ culture, electronic music, and top-notch sound systems, Nocturnal Beats highlights the dynamism and relevance of electronic music culture today.
  
• Ireland’s Children’s Book Artists: Dublin City invites visitors to join Laureate na nÓg Patricia Forde and some of Ireland’s finest children’s authors and illustrators for an enchanting evening of live-storytelling in the window of Dubray Bookstore on Grafton Street.

Limerick:

• Top 8 Culture Night Late, Limerick aims to nurture Ireland’s ever growing and vibrant Street Dance and Hip Hop culture. This event will take place across two venues in Limerick City, showcasing the rich and underground culture of neo-Irish-Afrolism and celebrating the very best in music with DJs like Limerick based Ceese and Gxrl Code’s Mona Lxsa.

• ‘Georgian Limerick’ City Walking Tour: Explore Limerick’s Georgian architectural heritage with local architect and conservation expert Cáit Ní Cheallacháin for a walk about tour of where it all began. (Meeting at the Hunt Museum and finishing at the International Rugby Experience Building).

• Limerick Hands on Harps: This event is a unique opportunity for Limerick citizens and visitors to the city on Culture Night to get up close and personal with the Irish harp. Workshop Times: 5:30pm- 6:15pm, 6:15pm- 7pm and 7pm- 7:45pm. Harpist Fiana Ní Chonaill along with Cuisle Harp Ensemble will provide a mesmerising 30 minute harp recital and at the end, there will be an opportunity to try the harp for yourself should you wish.

Galway:

• Galway City follows the huge success of Culture Night 2023, as Outset Gallery in collaboration with producer Emmet Kerrigan proudly present “OTHERWORLD”. This is an ambitious multidisciplinary arts event that promises to guide audiences through an expansive landscape, spanning multiple areas, stages and showcasing stellar music acts from Galway and beyond.

• Lumina is a breathtaking night-time event that promises to captivate audiences as the facade of the Tuam Cathedral is transformed into a canvas of light and sound through projections and live choral performances. This unique blend of art and technology promises to captivate and inspire, offering a one-of-a-kind experience that celebrates creativity and innovation in Tuam and Galway.

Kerry:

• Make at Muckross: Using drawing tools, each child will develop their own story character, which when finished will be added to a large group mural. Over the course of Culture Night, a story begins to emerge as our mural develops. The workshop starts at 3pm and adults are encouraged to join in the fun.
  
• Skills for Life ft. Vocaleze Choir sees the talented ladies of the Vocaleze Choir performing a selection of beautiful songs, showcasing their passion for music and their deep connection to our local culture. Then there will be a special performance as part of a music video project created by the Skills for Life students from MTU. These students, who have mixed abilities, have poured their creativity and passion into this unique project. The collaboration with the Vocaleze Choir brings together the power of music, the joy of inclusivity, and the remarkable talents of these students. Performances take place in Siamsa Tíre at 7pm and 7.45pm.

Westmeath:

• Mullingar Town Band Concert, Mullingar is delighted to present an entertaining music performance with Colourguard in Market Square, Mullingar for Culture Night 2024. 
  
• Drop-in ‘Myths and Monstrosities’ Workshop at Luan Gallery, Athlone will allow participants to be guided in creating their own figurine of a monster or mythical creature using craft materials. Responding to the themes of “the monstrous other” and mythology present in Kevin Mooney’s exhibition Tuberculosis, participants will engage in critical discussion with the facilitator about the concept of monstrosity and the use of myth in our everyday. 

Waterford:

• Visit Waterford announced the #DiveIntoWaterford photography competition as part of its tourism campaign on May 1st 2024, encouraging visitors to the county to share their photographic moments on social media over the summer period. 30 images have been selected and these images will now be posted on the Visit Waterford Facebook page, in order for the public to vote for the winning photograph. All of the images will be showcased at Mount Congreve Gardens in a #DiveIntoWaterford exhibition, which will be officially opened on Culture Night where the winner will be presented with their prize. This event is open to the public and the exhibition will remain open for viewing for one week from 20 Sept.

Kildare:

• A Stitch in Time – Upcycling Workshop, Rathangan Kildare will provide tips and skills to get the best out of clothes and household fabric items. Attendees can bring along three to five items of pre-loved clothes or textiles (all other materials supplied) to be repaired, upcycled or recreated into something new. No sewing experience necessary; from repairing a loose stitch to adding lace sleeves or cutting down a neckline, it’s all possible with a little guidance. This is a fun, creative and informative workshop suitable for all. 

Longford:

• Reels on the Bus, Longford is an interactive traditional music workshop and live trad music session open to secondary school students in Longford. Reels on the Bus aims to introduce young people to Irish traditional music with a one-hour workshop in bodhrán playing. This immersive workshop is open to complete beginners and experienced musicians who will learn how to accompany live traditional music in a fun, collaborative environment. 

Derry:

• Wild & Fired Indian BBQ Feast With Rooh Vodka, Derry – Londonderry invites guests tojoin Lo & Slo at the stunning Walled Garden of Brook Hall Estate for an unforgettable gastronomic BBQ fusion event. Guests will enjoy exclusive cocktails crafted by the renowned mixologist Dee Coll, the “Cocktail Man.” and a delicious three-course fire-cooked feast that marries the bold spices of Lee’s Punjabi roots with the smoky allure of Emily’s American BBQ.

Leitrim:

• Going Global – A Global Citizenship Education Workshop: Leitrim Volunteer Centre and Comhlámh are hosting an afternoon workshop exploring and striving to create space for open inquiry, exploration of the complex, interdependent and unequal world of which we are part, and the envisaging of a more just and sustainable future for all.

Mayo:

• Westport FRC Multicultural Evening will take place at Sacred Heart School in Westport. This family-friendly event celebrates the rich tapestry of cultures in the community with an engaging array of activities. Attendees can explore tables representing various countries, enjoy traditional foods, crafts, and cultural displays. A world map will be set up for guests to mark their places of origin, and many participants will showcase their beautiful traditional attire.

Donegal:

• ‘Critters’ – A Sculpture And Performance Trail, Letterkenny, is sure to be an unforgettable evening as Inishowen Carnival presents a sculpture and performance trail through Letterkenny Town Park. 

To see exactly what is happening in your county or town, visit culturenight.ie and use the search bar to find more activities and events.