OVER 40 free events have been arranged across county Clare for the nation’s annual Culture Night, taking place this Friday, September 23.
It represents the first Culture Night since 2019 of unfettered live access to events across the county, following restrictions imposed by the pandemic in the past two years.
This year’s Culture Night with the theme ‘One Night For All’ offers a diverse programme of events and activities for all ages showcasing the wealth of artistic talent throughout the county.
Organised by Clare Arts Office and funded by Clare County Council and The Arts Council, all genres of the arts sector will be programmed including music, song and dance, literature, film, art, and workshops starting at 4pm until late.
A spokesperson for Clare arts office said, “Events are live this year as we enjoy a return to in-person events and a night for us all to come together and enjoy the best of Ireland’s culture.
“In 2019 it was reported that 4,000 free events reached 400,000 people across Ireland, making it one of the most recognisable and anticipated national dates in the Irish cultural calendar.
“Of these events, 54 took place in 15 towns and villages in Clare with over 4,000 people attending. Since then a mix of online and hybrid events have seen figures of over 10,000 people annually engaging with Clare Culture Night events.
“All events are free of charge and are suitable for all ages. In addition to showcasing traditional and established work, Clare Culture Night is delighted to include events from newly settled communities to our county.”
Ennis will host a broad range of events throughout the evening as glór open the evening with Laoise Kelly and Tola Custy and later that night host one of Culture Nights first late night events.
The Circus Ponies, an exciting group of musicians and singers will entertain us on the steps of Ennis Courthouse. Mna ag Gaire will host ‘Hands in Harmony’, a Deaf Community Choir followed by a poetry reading from ‘Queering the Green – Post 2000 Queer Irish Poetry’.
De Valera Library will open its doors to music and poetry, and a bilingual poetry and music event with Emer O’Flaherty and Joanne Callinan will be held at Clare Museum.
There are plenty of events to entertain as we go around the county throughout the evening. The Mountshannon Arts Festival will ‘Shine a Light for Culture Night’ as they host a Lantern Festival in the beautiful setting of Aistear Park.
Traditional music events will be held in Tulla and Tuamgraney and the Viewpoints art exhibition at Scariff Library. A trio of young musicians, Harpanno will perform in Sixmilebridge and David Hope will launch his new album in Shannon.
A full schedule in West Clare at the tranquil setting of Lissycasey, music and dancing in Kilrush Square and Quilty. Cultúrlann Sweeney, Kilkee will host the screening of ‘The Job of Songs’ an intimate film about musicians in County Clare followed by The Riches of Clare concert.
We can Weave Stories and Spin Yarns at Stacks in Ennistymon with Aindrias de Staic and Jean Moran and Oliver O’ Connell will premiere the screening of ‘Always a Journey Never a Destination’ at the Teach Ceoil. While ‘Real Time Science’ are looking forward to some exciting experiments for children in their online workshop.
Additional events will be added to the programme in the run up to Culture Night and commenting on this year’s programme of events in Clare, Siobhan Mulcahy, Arts Officer with Clare County Council said, “We are excited to be fully back with in-person events this year. The range of events taking place county-wide highlights the diversity of work on offer in the county and the talent that exists in our communities.”
Details of the Culture Night programme for County Clare and links to online events can be seen at www.culturenight.ie
For updates, follow Clare Culture Night on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter which are being updated constantly as more events are confirmed.