Culture Night Dublin returns on Friday, 17 September with over 200 participating venues, and more than 250 in-person and online events for audiences to enjoy across the city and county.
In a celebration of culture and creativity, hundreds of cultural and heritage sites will open their doors from 4pm until late with an invitation to “come and be inspired”. A number of specially commissioned events will take place across the city, while Dublin Bus will run three free routes throughout the evening. So with plenty going on, here’s a taster of the kinds of things we can look forward to.
Through the Keyhole…
Many interesting buildings that would normally have restricted access will be open to the public on Culture Night. The Royal College of Physicians of Ireland on Kildare Street will host tours and talks on the history of Irish medicine, while there are also opportunities to view one of the world’s most important collections of ancient manuscripts at the Chester Beatty, in Dublin Castle, with tours of Marsh’s Library on St. Patrick’s Close also available.
Classes, Workshops & Demos…
There are a number of interactive classes, workshops and demos to look forward to at various locations throughout the city. At Damn Fine Print studios in Stoneybatter, visitors can learn how to create their own limited edition screenprint, while on Essex Street the Gaiety School of Acting will be providing free workshops on ‘Acting for Screen’. There’s a chance to experiment and make your own ‘chemigrams’ at the camera-less workshop taking place at The Darkroom on North Brunswick Street, while over at the Wood Quay Amphitheatre, Traveller Tinsmiths James Collins and Tom McDonnell, will be demonstrating the intricacies of their craft. Meanwhile visitors to Pallas Studios in the Coombe, get to make their own sculpture installation with artist Róisín White.
Visual Arts…
The programme includes dozens of diverse visual arts exhibitions. The National Gallery of Ireland showcases an extensive collection of Irish photography, while MART Gallery presents a performance exhibition by artist Katherine Nolan. In Temple Bar The Icon Factory hosts a live painting session with artist Aga Szot, while Temple Bar Gallery and Studios will be exhibiting the work of Scottish artist Lucy McKenzie. Visitors to the Kerlin Gallery will be treated to an exhibition of new paintings by Marcel Vidal.
Dance…
Lovers of dance can enjoy a programme of works curated by Croí Glan at the courtyard of the Irish Museum of Modern Art, or experience a vibrant outdoor performance organised by CoisCéim Broadreach in Fairview Park. Music enthusiasts can check out The Newman Vocare Ensemble performing in Newman’s University Church on Stephen’s Green South, or hear works by new Irish composers on Prussia Street and Fishamble Street, courtesy of The Contemporary Music Centre.
Beyond The City…
Further out in Dublin County, there are free tours of Malahide Castle and Gardens whilst Rua Red Arts Centre, The Civic Theatre and Tallaght Library will be projecting images from ‘Have Pass Will Travel’, a fascinating project by photographer Ste Murray. At the National Botanic Gardens, Irish language magazine Comhar launches a special edition with performances by Inni-K and the Culture Night Dublin ambassador, Ola Majekodunmi.
This year’s programme also includes 16 walking tours across the city.
Artist Commissions…
Three artist commissions funded by Dublin City Council have also been announced, selected from an open call process entitled Dublin Holds My Mind. Irish Modern Dance Theatre has been commissioned to create a new work called “Street Symphony” which will be performed at the Wood Quay Amphitheatre. Visual artist Niall Cullen will create a mapped projection artwork to be displayed in Barnardo Square, while artists Kevin Bohan and lljin live paint two new murals on Bedford Lane, Temple Bar, in response to the poem Dublin by Louis MacNeice.
Speaking at the programme launch Dublin’s Culture Night ambassador broadcaster Ola Majekodunmi said, “I have always been a huge fan of Culture Night, so it means a lot to act as Dublin Ambassador this year and represent my city. I’m so excited for us to experience live events again and for Dublin’s cultural venues to be reanimated on the night,” she continues, “Dublin is a multicultural city and Culture Night allows us to explore the best of what our vibrant capital has to offer. It provides a platform where diverse perspectives, cultures and values are accepted and celebrated.”
The full programme of events is now live on the Culture Night Dublin website. Dublin Bus will be providing free buses every 20 minutes along three new bus routes, starting on College Green, Aston Quay and Bachelor’s Walk.
Culture Night Dublin is brought to you by Dublin City Council with support from the Arts Council of Ireland. All events are free to attend. For further information visit culturenightdublin.ie
Join the conversation online @CultureNightDub on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok using #CultureNightDublin #OícheChultúirBAC.
