20 tips for Culture Night in Cork and beyond: Free gigs, tours, drawing classes and more
A number of artists will perform on the Cork City Culture Buses on Culture Night, Friday, September 22. These free, hop-on-hop-off buses will travel from City Hall to venues across the city. Picture: Darragh Kane
Culture Night is all grown up as this year it celebrates its 18th birthday. Easily one of the best initiatives in recent times, the night of free events showcases all the incredible talent, culture, and history Ireland has to offer.
Here are some of the best and most unique offerings from Culture Night 2023.
What is a Cork City event without the Barracka? You can walk the walls of one of Cork’s oldest and most historic sites which is staying open late for the occasion. First built in 1601, only to be rebuilt 25 years later, these walls have seen it all. While you soak up the history and the views, you will be treated to some tunes from the band from 7.30pm.
If you are looking for a fun-filled night of music and performance then you can’t find better than this cabaret. Presented by the mother of Mockie-Ah, Candy Warhol, this feast for the senses is going to be a night that you won’t want to end. Drag royalty, these burlesque beauties are at the top of their game making this the hottest ticket in town. There will be circus curiosities, DJs, and sweet treats galore.
The Crawford is wrapping up a day jammed with great events with a host of great music, conversation, and poetry curated by the Green Room. Novelist Danny Denton will chat with Dennis Cotter, Róisín Kelly, and Cal Doyle. Then, Vicky Langan, who has collaborated with Lankum, has curated a reel of interesting videos from Irish producers. Finally, Elaine Howley and Trick Mist will keep the party going with some tunes.
This is a great event for the whole family and will be an experience the little ones won’t forget. The tour gives them the chance to meet characters from this year’s panto with the kids encouraged to arrive in their very best costumes. There will be singing, storytelling and lots of other fun surprises during the afternoon. Meanwhile, the tour offers a chance to peek behind the red velvet curtain to discover the theatre’s most fascinating stories.
Sean-Nóis singing from Máire Ní Chéileachair, and poems from Eibhlís Carcione.
Mór Artists Collective will be celebrating the theme of Cork Culture Night 2023 – ‘I am part of this, and this is part of me’. The group works across a variety of disciplines such as visual arts, performance, and literary. The art trail will see local businesses throughout Midleton hosting artists. People will have the opportunity to meet the artists at each location where they can learn more about their work.
Sound baths have become hugely popular in recent years. On social media, you will often see celebrities extolling the virtues of this experience. But is there really anything to it? If you’re curious, here is the perfect chance to find out for yourself. The immersive ‘listening experience’ claims to promote deep relaxation and emotional release through gongs, singing bowls, rattles, drums, chimes and other instruments. Who knows, it might help you find your zen.
This is a really fun idea that takes people from observers to participants. There will be free materials provided and then people will be encouraged to create something special either on their own or as a group. The only ask is that people work to the theme of ‘what love means to me’. The artworks will then be put on display and become a part of the Culture Night exhibition.
Jack O’Rourke has been steadily building a fan base over the past number of years. He has won praise from musical legends including Tom Waits and Bill Withers. Here at home, O’Rourke really cemented himself into people’s hearts when his song Silence became the torch song for the marriage equality referendum. This is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy his songs in an intimate venue.
Cork is no stranger to the supernatural but are you brave enough to go looking for the unknown? This team of paranormal explorers will conduct a very special night-time excursion into the arts centre. You will explore all parts of the building including backstage. Using all sorts of techniques and devices, you and the team will gather information and learn about all of the unexplained happenings that have taken place both past and present – perhaps there will even be one on Culture Night.
The OtherSide is a talk show-style event that sets itself apart from the rest. Taking place in an intimate setting, guests get to chill out and can chat away without a formal feel stifling the conversation. The special guests on this night include Irish Olympian Monika Dukarska, choreographer Michael Keegan Dolan, and RTÉ journalist and filmmaker Seán Mac an tSíthigh. There will also be music from Dingle’s own Ríona Boland.
The Gallarus Oratory is an ancient church that’s been part of the Dingle Peninsula for over 1,000 years. This Culture Night, you can see it come to life with a stunning outdoor light display created by Tim Schmelzer. The animation which uses light, colours, and sounds will be displayed on a loop at the oratory. For those who don’t have their own transport, a special shuttle service will run from Dingle Town to make sure that no one has to miss out on this gorgeous experience.
The Tell Your Own Story project has been running for two years and is an attempt to repair the rifts in our society by reminding us that we have far more in common than we have differences. The group encourages people from the diverse Limerick community to share their stories. The stories are then shared across the community and some of those published works will be showcased on Culture Night and people will find out how they can be a part of this wonderful initiative.
Waterford city will be hopping thanks to this event which is being called a “one-off city super creation”. The description sounds spot on as the concert brings together a fusion of different genres to create something truly special. There will be electronic music, a 50-piece choir, a live band with brass strings and percussion, as well as some live dancing. Those on stage won’t be the only ones dancing along.
No, you’re not buggin’, Clueless has come to Clare. Although it’s probably not the Clueless you’re thinking of. This story follows Connie who has left her home in Germany and taken up residence in Kilkee to undertake an intensive language course. The film, which was made last summer, stars Andrea Sawatzki, Don Wycherley, and Gary Lydon. The audience will also be treated to a Q&A session with director Florian Gärtner.
Brown Bag Films have brought us shows and films such as Doc McStuffins, Octonauts, Angela’s Christmas, and Peter Rabbit. Their creations have been enjoyed by millions of children around the world and have earned them widespread critical acclaim. The studio is opening its doors to children for a screening of some of its favourite animations. Not only that but kids will get the chance to learn from some of their artists who will teach them about the animation process and just have some fun doodling together.
This timely event kicks off with a Conversation on Consent workshop in Dublin’s Rape Crisis Centre. Then, it is on to the Sugar Club for a panel discussion encompassing the history, evolution, challenges, and importance of representing themes of consent, sexual violence, stereotypes, and misconceptions in art. The panel includes author Roddy Doyle, director Lenny Abrahamson, renowned intimacy co-ordinator Ita O’Brien, and author Sarah Gilmartin.
The one and only Annie Mac is bringing her Before Midnight club night to the heart of Dublin on Culture Night. Guaranteed to be an epic night, the Liberties will be hopping as people dance the night away. The night will showcase the richness and depths of Ireland’s dance music scene. Before Midnight will definitely appeal to those who still like to dance the night away but are perhaps just a little to old to be coming home in the wee hours of the morning.
This exhibition by the graffiti and street art group features artworks, paraphernalia, and odds and ends from Ireland and around the world. Among the artists involved are DZ.B2B, Crosk, Shuk, Artbeat, Dublin Urban Art and – for the first time – Kevin Bohan will show his Bobby ink drawings. There will be ‘slap tags’ and ‘stickers’, paste-ups, spray-painted art pieces, black book sketches, photographs, and more. This is an exhibition for fans and novices alike to get to know the thriving street art scene in Ireland.
It’s hard in this country to mention culture with Joyce’s name popping up. So, of course, there is a Joycean offer for those who just can’t get enough of the writer. Madams & Myths Of Monto will take a stroll through the nighttown section of the book which takes place in an area known as Monto which was reputedly Europe’s most notorious red light district. The tour follows the route taken by Leopold Bloom giving insight into its famous inhabitants and its regular visitors.
