A national moment celebrating culture, creativity and the arts, Culture Night (Oíche Chultúir) seeks to actively promote the rich and varied culture treasured and nurtured in people’s lives.
Thanks to the continued support of the Arts Council, Creative Places and Creative Ireland, Wicklow County Arts Office have commissioned, collaborated, and supported an exciting and diverse programme of free events and activities purposefully selected to open up pathways to creativity in 14 locations across County Wicklow.
Visit Baltinglass on Culture Night for a fun-filled night of music and creativity. Enjoy a special concert in Stratford Lodge featuring headliner Róisín O, along with local musicians and singers including Sam Ali, Amy Barret, Taylor Haze and Kendal Moody.
An Artisan Craft Market will take place in Germaine’s Inisfáil to spotlight artists and crafts people from across the county. Incorporating science and technology into the programme; Virtual Reality Workshops will take place for those aged 12 – 18 in Fatima Hall. Also in Fatima Hall, local creatives Andrew Mooney and Diarmuid MacDiarmada will host Secret Sonic Cinémathèque: Silent films, live contemporary scores.
The Mermaid Arts Centre in Bray will celebrate the Holy Show arts magazine launch with poet Jane Clarke and photographer David Stephen capturing the sights and sounds of the Bray promenade at Bray bandstand. RTÉ Arena will also carry out a special live broadcast in the Mermaid Arts Centre, and the night will be rounded out with an exhibition opening of Harold Offeh’s Leisure Seekers multi-media installation.
In Arklow, the ‘Culture Crawl’ is back. Participants follow a purposefully curated trail of local cultural hot spots, with regular stop-offs along the way to enjoy some of the amazing local talent featuring a range of artists and creatives.
Bray Jazz Festival returns to Rathdrum’s St. Saviour’s Church to host a double bill programme with Belfast-based Córas Trio, and Irish folk and bluegrass band Navá.
The Wicklow Library Services have curated a programme of performances at Arklow, Ballywaltrim, Blessington, Carnew, Dunlavin, Enniskerry, Rathdrum, Tinahely and Wicklow Town Libraries including:
Arklow Library - Artist Conor Walton’s Arklow Portrait Marathon from 10am to 10pm. Book your 10 minute slot. Portraits will be showcased in the library exhibition and participants will receive their portrait on completion.
Tinahely Library - Writer Sylvia Cullen will give a public reading of some of her work and will be accompanied by contributors to The Book of Tomnafinnoge, which she edited in 2021.
Greystones Library - Irish PEN/PEN na hÉireann presents international poetry readings from poets Sean Borodale, Jane Clarke and Viviana Fiorentino. Poetry from the Edge reflects on climate change, nature and how poetry and words can inspire change.
Wicklow Town Library - The Only Ones comprising local teenage duo Denis Morrissey and Ed Morrissey perform their original rock songs.
The Whale Theatre in Greystones will host Sounds from the Burren with artists, musicians, and singer-songwriters based in the Burren area of Clare.
Commenting on the events, Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council Cllr. Paul O’Brien said, “I am delighted to see that this year’s Culture Night programme encompasses fourteen locations across County Wicklow and ensures local arts, creativity and citizens are represented.”
Chief Executive of Wicklow County Council Emer O’Gorman stated, “It’s great to see another vibrant programme in Baltinglass for the third year in a row. Creative Places has enabled the local community and the Wicklow County Arts Office to produce an innovative and engaging programme of events.”
All events are free and advance booking is advised to avoid disappointment.
See the full Wicklow Culture Night programme at https://culturenight.ie/location/wicklow/