Back after a 2-year hiatus, Culture Night 2022 is here to regale all of Ireland this Friday, September 23.
No matter where you are in the country, it’s worth going on a date with Culture Night.
What’s special to 2022 are the late-night events.
Called ‘Culture Night Late,’ these are a range of specially programmed events running later into the night than the previous years and many into the early hours.
As Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin TD put it: “Culture Night continues to evolve and diversify every year and it is fantastic to see that dance and club culture and the electronic music scene feature throughout this year’s programme with some eclectic gigs and events taking place across the city and country in support of the Night-Time Economy initiative – I am looking forward to enjoying some of what our city has to offer this year and getting to experience something different. Thank you to all the artists and venues involved in what promises to be another great year for Culture Night.”
It’s definitely ‘one night for all’ with over 1000 events, all free. I remember taking in two walking tours in 2019 as a part of the Culture Night celebrations. One was called ‘Where in the Chapel Street…Around the World in 60 Minutes and the second one was the ‘River Liffey Tour‘. Both were fantastic. Apparently, I was among the 1.1 million people who engaged with the Night in 2021! It was that popular.
There are plenty of things to look forward to at this year’s Culture Night as well. From performances, displays, exhibitions, activities, events, talks and walking tours — you are spoilt for choice.
So here’s our pick of the top 10 things to do.
Night Moves at the Fruit & Veg Market, Dublin
A bit quirky, this — who would have thought of clubbing at the Fruit & Veg Market? It’s a celebration of Dublin’s current cross-generational club culture. Night Moves presents endless possibilities for the late-night economy rooted in the past and present. On the menu are diverse live DJ performances from the Irish electronic community, as well as early-night panel discussions on strengthening the inclusion and safety of Dublin’s nightlife of the future.
Booking for the talks opens tomorrow, and you have music by Billy Scurry, DJ Small Crab B2B EMA (Skin & Blister), Pop Dungeon and others.
Paradise Cabaret, Tralee
The Cabaret is described as ‘comically absurd, skilfully slick and ridiculously entertaining.” Taking place at the Greyhound Bar from 8 pm, and ending at 12 am, this one promises to be a riot of comedy, circus, dance and music with “the funniest weirdos and queerdos around.” We quite like the sound of it, certainly very intriguing! Built on a community of artists, performers, designers and creatives, this cabaret is certainly on our list.
Opera recital of The First Child, Tralee
If you’re in Tralee, and cabaret is not your thing, you can go in for a special Culture Night Studio Recital. Performers from INO’s The First Child will perform a selection of arias and other operatic excerpts from across the canon in an intimate studio setting. Like all Culture Night events, this one is free as well, but you should book in advance.
Strange Brew, Galway
How about setting some time aside on Friday night (from 7.30 to 11.30 pm) for music? Strange Brew will present a brilliant array of musicians performing at the Roisin Dubh. On the roster for the Culture Night are Tracy Bruen, Paddy Hanna, Eoin Dolan, Bríd Kenny, Stevie Healy, Bees & Sawdust.
Magic Nights by Lee, Cork
Magic Nights is presented by the Cork City Council and The Good Room. A late-night event, it brings together some of Cork’s celebrated artists along with some of the freshest sounds by contemporary musicians from Cork City and County. The starting act will be by Stevie G, who will present Minnie Marley, Kestine, Yesunia, Salamay & King Koko. Also on for the night will be Brian Deady, John Spillane & Doireann Ní Ghríofa along with special guests, Fish Go Deep with Conal Creedon… Find more details here.
Get lucky with a gift of a book
While this one isn’t an event or a performance, it lets you experience a bit of the magic of the Culture Night. Even if you are simply going about your day. If you’re are travelling on certain train and bus stations — Heuston, Connolly, Kent Cork and Ceannt Galway or on bus stations in Busáras, Sligo and Waterford — keep a watch out for the conductor. A book conductor will be present to gift books to passengers from 2pm. There will also be a conductor with a special trolley on board a select number of trains. All stocked up and ready to gift passengers a book from a wide selection of Irish-based authors.
MIND the STEP, Dublin
MIND the STEP will be hosting free one-hour dance classes from teachers and schools that rent the two studios regularly. You can have lessons in belly dance, Zumba, hip hop, salsa, ballet, Tango, Bachata, and so much more! I would love to wear something sparkly, get my dancing shoes and put my two left feet to work!
Museum of Literature Ireland, Dublin
It’s worth looking into some events at The Museum of Literature (MoLI), especially if you’re looking to engage your children. The LitLab at the museum will have three storytelling and art and craft workshops. Illustrators Olivia Hope and Paddy Donnelly and artists Klo Wi and Zippy will be on hand to help with these sessions.
There’s plenty more — like the exhibition ‘Into the Island’, which looks at Peig Sayers and the Blasket storytelling tradition. MoLI will be open late with a range of events for the Culture Night so just plan your night.
Soothe your soul, Bray
How about a Lavender Sound Bath? It’s a unique combination of aromatherapy and sound where you use movement and dance as a medium of self-discovery. Resident tutors at the Luisne Centre for Well-being will be on hand to guide and answer questions. They will also teach a bit of posture alignment and breath control with Tai Chi and later on help you wind down with a session of Buddhist, Zen or mindfulness meditation.
Culture Night Pub Choir, Letterkenny
Come along and get singing! Get yourself to An Grianan Theatre on Culture Night and join Douglas Carnes. He’s the director of Colmcille Gospel Choir and will lead a group of theatre goers and public guests in a sing-along pub choir evening. Expect to learn a few songs while enjoying a drink at the theatre bar.
Obviously, these are just some of the events that caught our fancy. There are so many more and we’d love to hear what you picked for the night. Share your stories, and photographs of the Culture Night with us please.