Free culture No strings attached
CULTURE vultures can gorge themselves on the arts next month when museums, galleries, theatres and cathedrals welcome them in, free-of-charge.
A host of venues across the country are talking part in the first National Culture Night by staying open until 11pm on Friday, September 19.
The one-evening-only festival takes place across Dublin, Galway, Limerick and Cork and this year marks the first time the event is being held outside the capital since it was set up two years ago.
Chair of the Arts Council, Olive Braiden, yesterday launched the programme at the National Gallery of Ireland in Dublin. Our picture by Steve Humphreys shows young violinist siblings, Nia and Tristan Kennedy, getting in a bit of rehearsal before the launch.
Those who are not faint-hearted might like to go on a tour of the crypt at Christ Church Cathedral, while the more artistic could try their hand at a painting class in the National Gallery of Ireland.
Other highlights include giant board games and puppet shows in Limerick City Library and film karaoke in the Glucksman Gallery, in Cork.
"Culture Night is a night that gives everyone the chance to explore to their heart's content what is actually out there, on their doorstep," said Ms Braiden.
"It is a night of opportunities -- a night to entice people out of the ordinary and into the extraordinary. Culture Night's expansion to Cork, Galway and Limerick is very significant, and the result of its wonderful success for the past two years."
More than 80,000 people attended Culture Night in Dublin last year and the organisers expect over 100,000 people to turn up this year in Dublin alone.
- Anne-Marie Walsh
