Cities brace for flock of culture vultures

Up to half a million people are expected to flock to thousands of venues nationwide as they open their doors to the public this evening for a free and fun-filled celebration of heritage, culture, arts and music.

Started as a small celebration of heritage in Dublin in 2006, Culture Night has morphed into an all-island event which saw more than 350,000 people take part last year. It has also become almost an all-day event, with many activities starting in the early afternoon.

From Belfast to Cork, and lots of places in between, there will be cain, ceoil, craic agus lots more for the tens of thousands of people expected to attend events all over the country.