Tributes to Brennan for making arts more accessible

THE late Seamus Brennan was credited last night with making the arts more accessible to a broader range of people.

Mr Brennan, who died last month, was Minister for Arts up until May this year when his time in Cabinet came to an end because of his illness.

Tribute was paid to him at the launch of Culture Night 2008 last evening. Organisers said he was “hugely supportive” of the project, which will provide hundreds of free cultural events in Dublin, Cork, Galway and Limerick.

Culture Night was set up for Dublin in 2006, and in the year previous to his death Mr Brennan made efforts to expand it to other cities — something that will happen for the first time this year.

Director of Culture Night and head of cultural development at Temple Bar Cultural Trust (TBCT), Gráinne Miller, said: “When Mr Brennan came into office he was very supportive, and in particular thought it was important to open up access to the arts and reach out to different communities. He increased funding last year and was keen to expand it to cities across the country.”

More than 100,000 people are expected to turn out for a night of music, theatre and art on September 19.

Museums, galleries, theatres, cathedrals and other cultural venues will play host to hundreds of free events until 11pm.

Highlights of this year’s event are tours of the crypt at Christ Church Cathedral, painting classes in the National Gallery of Ireland and street performances across the four cities.

Ms Miller said it’s “a great testament and tribute to the late Seamus Brennan for his motivation and commitment to access for all in the arts that makes it possible to stand here today to celebrate the launch of this national initiative.”