Culture Night highlights: 15 things to see in Cork city and county on Friday
Promoting Culture Night in Cork city was Lord Mayor Cllr Fergal Dennehy with Andy Killian, Abbey Blake, Ricky Dineen and Arann Blake. Picture: Darragh Kane
People are invited to step into the rich history of Blackpool with two exhibitions and a behind‑the‑scenes tour of the Cork City and County archives.
‘Blackpool through the Years’, a digital display featuring hundreds of historical photographs, originally collected by the Blackpool Historical Society will be on display, as well as an exhibition uncovering a significant piece of Cork’s heritage titled ‘The Tanist of Carbery: Daniel MacCarthy Glas and His Long Lost Archive’.
A guided tour of the Cork City and County Archives which offers a glimpse into Cork’s past, will take place at 7.30pm.
Ardú Culture Night Street Art Walking Tour will see artists and organisers take a group on a walking tour of a selection of the murals they have produced in the city over the last five years.
The tours will explore the street art that has been painted in Cork over the last five years, as well as seeing some artwork being painted as part of the 2025 initiative.
The tours will take place from 6.30pm to 8pm and begin at Liberty Street Hixxy Mural. The tours are suitable for all ages and booking is required.
People are invited to explore the wonders and joy of ‘Squish, Stomp, Spin – The Magic of Stim’ with Moss Russell this Culture Night.
A fairy tale for all ages, the show about a fairy who fights to make things right in her world brings the audience on a journey to normalise big emotions and other neurodivergent features.
Two shows will take place at Millennium Hall in City Hall, one at 4.15pm and a second show at 6.45pm.
Booking is not required, but those who wish to reserve seating in advance or discuss access requirements can contact 021 492 4116.
Cork’s Barrack Street Band will bring their vibrant sounds of brass and reed music to the stage at Elizabeth Fort on Culture Night.
The much-loved local band will have toes tapping with their performance of a dynamic selection of pieces, including rousing marches, popular chart-toppers, and well-loved tunes from the world of theatre and film in the surroundings of the historic Elizabeth Fort on Barrack Street.
Boola Boom, a 20-piece brass and percussion big band playing jazzy house music, will perform at the GPO on Oliver Plunkett Street on Culture Night.
Fresh from performances at Electric Picnic, All Together Now, and Kaleidoscope festivals, the band will lift people’s spirits on Friday night from 6.45pm to 7.45pm.
A tour of the New Irish Art exhibition at Lavit Gallery will take place at 7pm, lasting 35 minutes. New Irish Art is a new group exhibition format focusing on a selection of new work by artists working across Ireland.
The exhibition, which invites people to get to know artists and their work, will run until September 27.
Celebrating influential artists of Cork’s punk/post-punk period, Kaught at the Karpark is more than a lookback to the glory days – it will showcase current music by band members who are working musicians and celebrate those like Mick Lynch, Finbarr Donnelly and Cathal Coughlan, all who left a permanent mark on their hometown.
With performances from Big Boy Foolish and Sean O’Hagan, Kaught At The Karpark will be a night of nostalgia for all in attendance.
The English Market will open its doors late for one night of the year only this Culture Night.
A selection of English Market traders will be open from 6pm to 9pm, serving traditional tastes and local treats, ranging from handmade sushi rolls to local cheese and charcuterie, wine tasting and samples of traditional Cork favourites.
The Kabin Studio will host a host of workshops on Culture Night, including a rap, beats, songwriting and recording workshop for six to 11-year-olds and 11 to 16-year-olds.
An open mic and showcase featuring performances by the Kabin Crew and many more will also take place on the night.
For further info or to book, text or Whatsapp 089 267 0778 or email info@thekabin.ie
Get an early start to Culture Night with a reading by two of Cork’s favourite authors – Cónal Creedon and Gerry Murphy.
Both authors will share a reading at Waterstones on Patrick’s Street from 5pm to 6pm on Friday.
People are invited to DeBarra’s Folk Club to listen to the music of Irish-based Kurdish/Syrian singer and Bouzouki player Mohammad Syfkhan, whose brand of ecstatic music takes elements from Middle Eastern and North African music. Since arriving in Ireland, he has used the language of music to integrate into the local community by playing at private parties and concerts.
A celebration of poetry and music will take place at Chapel Hill School of Art where local talent will take to the stage in an intimate and uplifting setting.
The poetry of Bernadette Gallagher, whose work has been featured in top journals and celebrated at events worldwide, is followed by the soulful melodies of Clodagh O’Sullivan, a Macroom-based singer-songwriter.
Composed and performed by Lorcán Mac Mathúna (voice), Martin Tourish (accordion), and Éamonn Galldubh (whistle and pipes), Gile na Gile – Ceol agus Aistir Aodhagáin Ó Rathaille celebrates the life and work of poet Aodhagán Ó Rathaille, who was born during the Bardic School era and died in poverty during the time of the Penal Laws and the poetic courts.
A vibrant culture trail across Bantry will weave music, literature, conversation and song together on Culture Night 2025.
The trail takes in a reading by novelist Anya Bergman at Bantry Library, community music-making at the Bridge Street Community Café, and performances from musicians at Curious Keys Music School.
The night will end with two concert sets by the Olympia Quartet and Dáithí O’Shanahan that showcase classical and traditional music influences and celebrate the spirit of West Cork Music’s iconic summer festivals.
People are invited to enjoy an evening of music under the open sky as Fermoy Concert Band and the Fermoy International Choir come together for a joint performance.
Sounds of brass, woodwind, and choral harmonies will fill the town during this hour of cultural celebration.
- See full list of County events at https://tinyurl.com/48vh47be
