Kildare Culture Night 2018 is launched with 94 events scheduled to take place around the county
By Kim O'Leary
(Pictured: Mayor Seán Power with Lucina Russell Arts Officer Inni-K and Eric Donovan launch of Kildare Culture Night 2018)
Mayor of Kildare, Cllr. Seán Power and Arts Officer for Kildare County Council, Lucina Russell recently launched the Kildare Culture Night 2018 programme at the Steam Museum & Lodge Park Walled Gardens, Straffan.
The Mayor warmly welcomed Kildare Culture Night Ambassadors 2018, Inni-K and Eric Donovan, noting that both Kildare natives had excelled in their respective fields of music and sport. Cllr Power said he looked forward to attending some of the 94 events taking place across the county.
The Mayor congratulated all of the individuals and organisations who participate and warmly embrace the Culture Night initiative, now in its 9th year in Kildare.
Inni-K (Eithne Ní Chatháin) grew up in Kilcock, Co. Kildare, and her mesmerizing vocals set off with tight musicianship and captivating stage presence creates a musical experience, rich with spine-tingling tenderness.
She is a now well-established presence in Irish music, received consistent praise for her distinct, fresh style of indie-folk since the release of her acclaimed debut album The King has Two Horse’s Ears’ in 2015 & most recently her new single ‘Edges’ released earlier this year.
Following a summer of Irish festivals, including Body & Soul, Another Love Story, Earagail Arts Festival, Arcadian Fields; with New York, European & Irish dates in the pipeline for later in the year and 2019; Inni-K is busy preparing for her next album which is due for release in 2019.
Speaking about her new role as Kildare Culture Night Ambassador for 2018, Inni-K said: “It is a great honour and a privilege to be asked to be Kildare Culture Night Ambassador this year. Culture Night is a fantastic celebration & bringing together of all the culture, creativity and art that happens throughout the county, which enrich our lives in priceless ways. I have travelled the world over with my music, and it is a lovely thing to be asked to be a cultural ambassador to my home county where I grew up in Kilcock.”
Meanwhile, Eric Donovan is Kildare’s former Irish international amateur boxing star and is currently an undefeated professional boxer. Eric ‘Lilywhite Lightning’, grew up in Athy and returns as Culture Night Ambassador this year, given his warm enthusiasm last year.
The five-time Elite Irish champion has won national titles from Bantamweight through to Lightweight.
Reflecting on his role last year, Mr Donovan said: “The role of Ambassador really opened my eyes to all that is going on across the county. It was great fun and I really enjoyed trying out new things - noting that the uni-cycle workshop as part of the C-Circus-K project was a challenge. I'm thrilled to be Culture Night Ambassador again and excited to work alongside the organisers to promote and support the artists, arts communities and volunteers county-wide.”
Culture Night provides an opportunity to engage with the rich arts and culture resources that Co Kildare has on offer with plenty of free events for all of this family beginning on Friday September 21, with the programme extended to include more events on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 September.
For more information on Kildare Culture Night 2018 visit www.kildare.ie/culturenight or call 045-448328. Email: [email protected]