The National Cultural Movement Comes of Age Friday, September 22nd
Culture Night is a seismic moment, a collective magical emotional journey where artists and audiences engage with each other as they celebrate One Night For All. Each September sees a welcoming, safe vibe in towns, cities, villages and locations across Ireland as the culturally curious come together for a night filled with possibilities.
Whether you’re 8, 18 or 80, grab your family, friends or head out on your own and join the biggest collective celebration of culture in Ireland on Friday, September 22nd as Culture Night comes of age and celebrates its 18th birthday. What originally started in 40 venues in Dublin’s Temple Bar in 2006, is today an all-island celebration of the very best of our culture with thousands of FREE events happening late into the night. Mark this milestone by discovering the night for yourself.
Directed by the Arts Council, Culture Night is brought to you in partnership with local authorities and cultural organisations throughout the island. The night shines a light on the quality and breadth of Ireland’s incredibly diverse cultural offerings while introducing audiences to new venues and emerging talent. Celebrating the values of openness, discovery and belonging, all activities on Culture Night / Oíche Chultúir 2023 are FREE. A broad expanse of people, places and spaces help make it happen including artists, performing groups, galleries, museums, sports clubs, libraries, arts centres, craft workers, studios, theatres, community groups, public bodies, transport companies, schools, universities and you the audience.
2021 saw the introduction of Culture Night Late, a series of events running later into the night than in previous years, and many into the early hours. The initiative is presented with thanks to additional support from the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media under the Night Time Economy Taskforce. This year Culture Night Late features an expanded programme of events.
Commenting on the launch of Culture Night’s programme, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin TD said: “Culture Night is always a major highlight in the cultural calendar, and I look forward to seeing people across Ireland celebrating One Night For All on Friday 22nd of September. This year’s fantastic programme will see events take place in villages, towns and cities across the country.
I am thrilled that additional funding from my department for the Culture Night Late scheme will support 19 flagship arts events across Ireland that will begin after 9pm and continue late into the night. Innovative and inclusive in scope, and catering to a range of audiences, these events highlight the key role the cultural sector has in realising our vision for a vibrant and safe Night-Time Economy.”
Maureen Kennelly, Arts Council Director said “As well as the vast array of events showcasing our vibrant culture, one of my favourite things to see on Culture Night is generations of families and groups of friends, young and old, coming out to explore together and enjoy the richness and diversity of Ireland’s culture today. We in the Arts Council, as stewards, are delighted to bring this important collective cultural experience to life. This year we are celebrating Culture Night’s coming of age and I encourage everyone to come out on Friday September 22nd, have fun and wish Culture Night a happy 18th birthday!”
After a hugely successful debut in 2022, the Arts Council’s book-gifting project Read Mór is back. This year, in partnership with the HSE Healthy Ireland, the campaign will bring Culture Night to those who can’t take part. A curated list of 30 titles from Ireland’s literary talent will be gifted to patients of 7 selected hospitals nationally.
RTÉ once again partners with Culture Night, broadcasting across the evening from multiple regional venues. RTÉ One will host a live spectacular broadcast from Dunlewey, Donegal featuring specially commissioned performances with a few surprises along the way. Arena: Culture Night Special on RTÉ Radio 1 will come live from Manorhamilton, Leitrim, while Wicklow’s Mermaid Theatre in Bray stages 2FM Rising, featuring live performances from their roster. For updates click on www.culturenight.ie/culture-night-on-rte
For more information on Culture Night, go to www.culturenight.ie or join the conversation on social media channels using #OneNightForAll and/or #OícheDarSaol at Culture Night Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.
