For any arts or culture enthusiasts, there’s a strong chance you’ve been on the countdown for Culture Night. The nationwide celebration marks the opening of galleries, exhibits, talks and performances open to the Irish public for family and friends to enjoy.
From cities, to towns and villages across the country, the doors are being flung open to bring you into some of the creative magic and history on your doorstep.
We give you a quick round-up of some of the different, and alternative attractions to tag along to on the night…
Grafton Academy of Fashion Design
For any budding designers with a passion for fashion, The Grafton Academy of Fashion Design will host dressmaking and pattern cutting demonstrations and workshops on drawing and how to use a sewing machine. Students’ work will also be on display and throughout the evening models will show work by graduates including 2014 competition pieces. The perfect excuse to express yourself (and your creative style!)
DePaul Back Lane
DePaul Ireland, a charity that supports people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, are opening up their Back Lane Hostel for a mix of heritage and audio visual displays marking 99 years in the heart of Dublin.
The charity hope to open its doors as it gets ready to mark its 100th year, introducing the community befriending service to the public with residents of Back Lane sharing their experience of homelessness from a rough sleeping perspective.
Following in the Footprints of Famous and Not-so-Famous Cork Women
The Rebel County is taking pride in its females, with a Culture Night walking tour of Cork City highlighting women’s contribution to the culture and heritage of the South. The multi-stop tour will highlight a number of places and stories associated with pioneering Cork women from the world of history, art and science.
Windmill Lane Recording Studios
Rubbing shoulders in the recording studio that’s housed some of the greatest bands in music with everyone from U2 to The Rolling Stones and ACDC, the recording studio is offering a live special performance by an Irish band on the night. With pop icons such as Lady Gaga and The Spice Girls having previously worked in Windmill Lane, this is one for music lovers on the night.
Dress For Success Cork
Dress For Success will host an evening titled, ‘Portraits of Cork Women in Employment through the Decades’, with visitors enjoying working women’s stories from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s. Get a chance to meet and chat to the women who worked in these decades; followed by hair and make-up demonstrations for those interested in replicating the vintage feel of work wear through the decades…
The Hunt Museum Limerick – Pop-Up Printmaking
The Limerick Printmakers present Pop-up Printmaking in The Hunt Museum to demonstrate their passion for printmaking. The team hope that visitors will fall in love with it too. Their aim is to help everyone experience printmaking for themselves & create something beautiful to take home on the night. The best part? No experience necessary! Just be sure to ask lots of questions & learn something new!
Galway Community Circus – Wonderful World of Circus
For Culture Night Galway Community Circus brings a magical evening of circus; packed with workshops and shows for the young and young at heart, performed by young members of Galway Community Circus alongside professional circus entertainers. Come along on Culture Night to discover the Wonderful World of Circus!
Big Gigantic Drum Circle – Belfast
Dance to the beat of the drum in Belfast – who will host the Big Gigantic Drum Circle. The unofficial start to Culture Night in the city will feature a staggering 350 drummers, in what promises to be the biggest, most interactive event of the night!
To find out what’s on in your local area, check out the full national programme here.
