Free festival for culture vultures

Museums, galleries, theatres, cathedrals and other venues around the country will host hundreds of free events in the first national Culture Night next month.

Details will be unveiled tonight of the one-evening only festival taking place across Dublin, Galway, Limerick and Cork on September 19.

It is the first time the event will be held outside of the capital since it was set up in 2006.

Dr Olive Braiden, chair of the Arts Council, will announce the Culture Night 2008 programme in conjunction with the Temple Bar Cultural Trust (TBCT).