Almost 100 free events to celebrate culture in Co Kildare soon
Culture Night returns in county Kildare with over 80 events this year! From Friday 22nd and the following Saturday and Sunday will see a variety of organisations, venues and groups hosting a myriad of free events, there will be something for every taste!
Everyone is invited to take part and discover, explore and enjoy their local cultural and natural heritage; Kildare county’s towns will showcase their vibrant arts and creative scene for a weekend of culture, creativity and celebration.
Ambassador, the five-time Elite Irish champion Eric ‘Lily white Lightning’ Donovan said:" Kildare is a county filled with arts, culture and sporting activity, involving committed individuals and groups, many of them volunteers. Through this role, I hope to highlight the 80 events taking place across the county on Culture Night, 22nd September and encourage people to get out there and connect with what's on their doorstep.’
The variety of events spans from art to music, film, theatre and history, from talks to exhibitions, performances, walks and workshops.
From North to South, here is a taste of this year's programme! In Maynooth people can enjoy a tour of the unique collection of Russell library, a visit of the castle by night and the Visual and Audio Installation Journeys through Vessels. In Leixlip you can have a look at the Young Filmmakers Showcase or listen to Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann performance in the historic Wonderful Barn.
Celbridge will host the Artist Notebook Exhibition and workshop, as well as Derrybeg Farm will transport us 100 years into the future with a theatrical event by The Performance Corporation, or you could choose a magical evening of music with Tiarnan O`Duinnchin’s Uilleann Pipes and Laoise Kelly’s Harp or Maynooth Gospel Choir.
Anna Liffey Artists will host an exhibition at Straffan Antiques & Design and Ardclough Youth Theatre is calling all young people aged 10 to 14 for a “Play in a Day” workshop. Clane Project Centre ‘Nexus’ will showcase their cultural and Economic projects and Kill History Group will lead a walk and talk around the village.
A selection of quilts made by children will be displayed in the shops of Rathangan and the Bog of Allen Nature Centre will unearth the Connection between the Grand Canal in Allenwood and the Bog of Allen.
Sallins TradFest will be launched on Culture Night, while in Naas the printmaker and curator Pamela De Bri will guide you on a tour of the acclaimed exhibition Little Stories Little Prints, Irish Wheelchair Association will present a group exhibition of Textiles and Ceramics and you could Experience a Chinese Tea Ceremony.
Some Kildare comics back from Edinburgh will be funny at PS Roasters and three of Co. Kildare’s most interesting choral groups will lean on each other to create an intergenerational sound some 100 voices strong.
In Newbridge DanceTones Studios will introduce you to ballroom dancing, links between identity and people’s homes will be explored through the Be-Longing exhibition by Marta Golubowska and Bernard Fitzpatrick and Band will play at Whitewater Shopping Centre.
Acoustic Pipes will performe at Curragh Family Resource Centre, Beth Murphy will install a temporary willow sculpture on the Market Square of Kildare Town and a pottery workshop “Play with Clay” will take place at Teach Dara Family Centre.
Ballymore Eustace Concert Band will propose a fun-filled musical experience for all the family, the film Ballitore – A Glance Through Time will look at the town and explore its history. Athy will host an Irish Sign language festival, the screening of two classics which will be starring an icon of the early silent era and C Circus K will host an open day.
Don’t miss a traditional night or a workshop at your local library, as well as other many different events. On Friday 22nd , and following Saturday and Sunday, Switch on Culture Night!
The full list of events is available at your local library and on the website kildare.ie/culturenight. For further information, contact 045 448328.
Culture Night is brought to you by the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and the Creative Ireland Programme in partnership with Kildare County Council.
(Photo by Pat Ti