Culture Night

Culture Night 2008 goes national! - Programme of Hundreds of Free Cultural Events Around the Country Unveiled

8/12/2008

Details of Culture Night 2008 were unveiled today (Tuesday 12th August 2008) by Temple Bar Cultural Trust (TBCT), in the National Gallery of Ireland, Merrion Square. For the first time since its inception in 2006, cultural venues outside the Capital will participate in Culture Night by staying open until 11pm on Friday 19th September. Museums, galleries, theatres, cathedrals and other cultural venues throughout Cork, Galway, Limerick and Dublin will host hundreds of free cultural events for members of the public to enjoy late into the evening.

 

From touring the crypt at Christ Church Cathedral to painting classes in the National Gallery of Ireland; from giant board games and puppet shows in Limerick’s City Library to karaoke and acting in the Glucksman Gallery in Cork; there will be circus, dance and musical performances on the city’s streets and Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Galway will be alive with activities to suit everyone.

 

According to Dr. Olive Braiden, Chair of the Arts Council who was invited to unveil the programme; “Culture Night is a night that gives everyone the chance to explore to their heart’s content what is actually out there, on their doorstep. It is a night of opportunities -- a night to entice people out of the ordinary and into the extraordinary. Its expansion to Cork, Galway and Limerick is very significant, and the result of its wonderful success for the past two years. We in the Arts Council encourage as many cultural venues as possible, all around the country, to open late on Culture Night”.

 

Over 80,000 people attended Culture Night in Dublin last year. Organisers, TBCT anticipate that it will attract over 100,000 in Dublin alone this year.  Local Authority Arts Officers in Limerick, Cork and Galway have developed a range of exciting, interactive and unique events to create an unforgettable cultural festival this year.

 

Gráinne Millar, Director of Culture Night and Head of Cultural Development at TBCT said, “We are delighted with the expansion this year. Our aim has always been to open cultural venues and experiences to people and the inclusion of Cork, Galway and Limerick gives us the opportunity to reach more people than ever before. Modern life with its time pressures and financial constraints can prevent people exploring our country’s varied cultural offerings. We hope that young and old alike will get into their City for Culture Night and explore the incredible range of free events on offer.”

  

The full programme of events and participating venues for Culture Night 2008 is available on www.culturenight.ie or by calling TBCT on 01 888 3610. All events are free but booking is essential for some events so people must book directly with the cultural venue where indicated to avoid disappointment.

 

Culture Night Dublin is funded by TBCT, Dublin City Council, the Department of Arts, Sports & Tourism and Fáilte Ireland. It is run in partnership with RTE, Dublin Bus, DART, RPA, Luas and Council of National Cultural Institutions.