Events turn 500,000 night owls to culture vultures
Half-a-million people are expected to take to the streets of our cities and towns tonight for Culture Night, a free celebration of art and culture across the country.
In Dublin, a record 124 institutions and venues will open their doors to the public after hours -- for free -- including Leinster House, the National Gallery, and the GAA Museum at Croke Park.
There will be free events also in the cities of Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford, and in the towns of Tralee, Sligo, Letterkenny, Mayo, Wexford and Roscommon.
In Waterford, an 'artmobile' will allow poets, performers and dancers to entertain passengers on public transport.
In Tralee, there will be an attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the longest traditional Irish line dance (currently held by Dublin, Ohio).
The Hunt Museum in Limerick will be running regular tours.
Popular
Events in Dublin range from the traditional to the obscure. Amongst the most popular destinations last year were Leinster House (pre-booking required) and the Book of Kells. The Guinness Storehouse is participating for the first time, with the Gravity Bar open to the public.
At the Ark cultural centre for children in Temple Bar, dance-theatre company the Junk Ensemble is performing 20-minute excerpts from their outdoor dance show 'The Rain Party'.
"It's a chance to show people that culture is for everyone," said dancer Megan Kennedy.
Dublin historian Pat Liddy will lead two walking tours, one looking at Dublin's forgotten French heritage and revolutionary connections, which meets at Barnardo Square, beside City Hall, at 5pm, and the other meeting at 7pm at No 29, Merrion Square.
"There can be a perception among the public that culture is institutionalised and elitist," said Grainne Miller, who leads the coordination of Culture Night nationally, for Temple Bar Cultural Trust. "We want to help demystify culture."
She cited research from last year that found that 70pc of those attending events in Culture Night were first-time visitors.
Full details of events and venues are online at www.culturenight.ie.
In Dublin, the Temple Bar Culture Information Centre on East Essex Street will be open until midnight (tel 01 888 3610) and the Dublin Tourism Centre on Suffolk Street will be open until 11pm.
- Colin Murphy
