We’re buzzing for the annual Culture Date with Dublin 8 Festival which takes place over five days this week, and as an added treat, we are especially pleased to see the launch of the inaugural Late in Dublin 8 series, an exciting line-up of free music events and late-night festivities curated by our good friends at The Goo.
They’ve woven together a terrific programme of live music and dancing, with a diverse range of complimentary music gatherings and nocturnal celebrations helping to shine a spotlight on the historic Dublin 8 creative and cultural scene. As festival curator Grace McEvoy puts it, the series “celebrates the area’s nightlife, local establishments and the talented musicians and artists who contribute to making the area a vibrant place to live, work and visit.”
As part of the festivities celebrating the area after hours, The Thomas House will host two nights of free gigs featuring bands from Dublin 8’s landmark BIMM Music College, while the newly opened Love Tempo bar, co-owned by two of Dublin’s best known club promoters Mother and Hidden Agenda, has a full programme of DJ curated events with free admission.
Arthur’s Blues & Jazz Bar too has a full programme packed with live music events running throughout the festival, from its launch on Wednesday May 8th to close of festivities on Sunday May 12th, including a very special evening of live music featuring Irish Women in Jazz.
On Sunday May 12th the Digital Hub will host a special edition of the popular We Love Markets craft & artisan market, with live outdoor performances from popular Dublin based Hip Hop/Spoken Word collective Shakalak.
Elsewhere on the festival programme, at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, a special candlelit concert celebrates Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, while spoken word poet Philip Kenny is set to premiere his latest poetry video, followed by captivating music and poetry performances at Tailors’ Hall. Storytellers Aron and Sorcha Hegarty of Candlelit Tales will be performing at Fumbally Stables, while La Catedral Studios will host a unique open studios and meet the artist event. Local contemporary art galleries Pallas Projects and Kevin Kavanagh will each have exhibition openings in the area.
A significant exhibition entitled “Humans of the Liberties” will be held at The Bank on James’ Street, in collaboration with the popular “Humans of Dublin” project, the photo exhibition will showcase local residents, sharing their stories of resilience, personal achievements, and community connections. St Georges Brass Band will host a special outdoor concert in St Audoen’s Park at 2pm on Sunday May 12th.
The five day festival sees the area’s galleries, historic landmarks, heritage sites, museums, churches, and breweries host over 100 specially curated events, including talks, concerts and tours.
Visitors can explore the rich history of Dublin 8 through a series of engaging walking tours exploring mediaeval Dublin and The Liberties with Dublin Decoded, the 1916 Executions Walking Tour by Richmond Barracks and Tours of Goldenbridge Cemetery’ by Dublin Cemeteries Trust, which will uncover the area’s historical and political tapestry. Meanwhile, the Iveagh Trust on Patrick Street, will be providing a special tour of Nallie’s Flat, offering a unique insight into what life was like in Dublin during the 1900’s.
All of Dublin 8’s main heritage and cultural sites will offer specially curated tours and events free of charge, including Farmleigh Estate, Christ Church Cathedral, and Marsh’s Library.
Culture Date with Dublin 8 takes place from Wednesday May 8th to Sunday May 12th. Many of the events are free but booking is required. For more, see culturedatewithDublin8.ie
Culture Date in Dublin 8 is supported and developed by Dublin City Council South Central Area and it’s programming partners: The Liberties Dublin, Richmond Barracks, The OPW, IMMA – Irish Museum of Modern Art, Dublin Cemeteries Trust, Christ Church Cathedral, St Patrick’s Cathedral, Marsh’s Library, The Edward Worth Library, Dublinia, Guinness Storehouse, Roe & Co Distillery, Pearse Lyons Distillery, Dublin Liberties Distillery, Rascals Brewery, Stillgarden Distillery, Teeling Whiskey Distillery, Kevin Kavanagh Gallery, Pallas Projects, Common Ground, The Digital Hub, Iconic Offices, Irish Women in Jazz, Totally Dublin and The Goo.
