Here are some of the highlights for tonight's Culture Night - both in Dublin and around the country:
Stargazing and Storytelling over the Burren:
Burren in Bloom
Burrenbeo Trust will explore the Burren landscape in the twilight. Led by Shane Casey, the evening will include songs, stories, star gazing and an overview of nocturnal wildlife.
Live recording of a Father Ted Podcast in Belfast
A panel of guests will discuss the epic conclusion to the only two-part Father Ted story, “Kicking Bishop Brennan Up the A**e", from 7.30-9.30pm at the Fenderesky Gallery, 31 North St, Belfast BT1 1NA.
Music, song and poetry on Inis Oírr
An intimate evening of music, song and poetry in the Áras Éanna, Inis Oírr, Co Galway, from 8.30pm - 10.30pm.
Boat trip to Lough Oughter Castle in Cavan:
Cavan Canoe Centre and a tour guide will take you on the short boat trip from the shore of lough Oughter to the Island. Members of Killeshandra Comhaltas will play tunes as you hear of heroic deeds, bravery and poison. Booking essential.
Astronomy at CIT Blackrock Castle Observatory, Cork
Stargazing is weather dependent (rain or cloud cover means it will NOT take place)
Musical performances from the students and staff of the DIT Conservatory of Music and Drama, the Choir of Christchurch Cathedral Parish Group and a rare sounding of the 1767 Organ in the historic 18th century church of St Werburgh. From 6pm-9pm on Werburgh Street.
Baroque around the Clock
Classical music mainly from the Baroque Era, from Bach to Handel and Vivaldi, from 5-11pm, St Finian’s Lutheran Church.
Taster yoga classes
Find yourself with yoga
45 minute taster classes at The Elbowroom, at 32 North Brunswick Street, Stoneybatter, Dublin 7, on a first come first served basis.
Live performance by Heathers
Culture vultures: Sisters Ellie and Louise Macnamara, aka Heathers, are this year’s Culture Night ambassadors. Photo: Conor Clinch
Twin sister alt-pop duo Ellie and Louise Macnamara, also known as Heathers, will perform their amazing signature harmonies at the Light House Cinema at 7pm
Songs from the Swing era
From 6pm to 8pm at The Merrion Hotel in Dublin 2, guests will see a preview of the Tin Pan Alley Cats ahead of Ich Liebe Dich Cabaret! at the Tiger Dublin Fringe Festival. There will be four 20-minute performances at 6pm, 6.40pm, 7.20pm and 8pm.
Donal Ryan reads from his new novel
Donal Ryan
Award-winning author Donal Ryan will read from his brand new novel, All We Shall Know at The Lilliput Press, 62-63 Sitric Road, Stoneybatter, Dublin 7, from 5.30pm-6pm. Proprietor Antony Farrell will also regale guests with outrageous tales from a life in publishing throughout the evening.
See inside Windmill Lane Recording Studio
Windmill Lane Recording Studios
Synonymous with U2, the world famous Windmill Lane Recording Studio has been a constant and important fixture in the development of music in Ireland and has hosted artists such as The Rolling Stones, AC/DC, Spice Girls, and more recently Lady GaGa, Ed Sheeran, Ellie Goulding, Hozier and Kodaline. For Culture Night 2016, the studios will open their doors and welcome the public inside for one night only for a very special evening of events.
Tours of Marsh's Libary
Follow in the footsteps of authors like Jonathan Swift, Bram Stoker and James Joyce, as you tour one of Dublin's hidden gems. This is one of the very few 18th century buildings in Dublin still being used for its original purpose.
Dublin Castle
Little Green Cars, from left, Faye O'Rourke, Adam O'Regan, Dylan Lynch, Donagh Seaver O'Leary, and Stevie Appleby.
The RTÉ Concert Orchestra will be joined by Little Green Cars, Laureate of Fiction Anne Enright, Opera Theatre Company, musician Lisa O’Neill, author Donal Ryan from 7pm-10pm.
A Palestinian evening
The first floor of the Chocolate Factory at 26 King's Inn Street, Dublin 1, will host screenings of the short documentary Sumud: Everyday Resistance, photos and talks on the Palestinian culture of resistance, and a joint project of Taking Flight & the Gaza Circus School.
Learn how to spin yarn
Learn how to spin yarn with a drop spindle, knitting, crochet and felting. Or just drop in with whatever is currently on your needle and hooks, organisers say. The Constant Knitter, 88 Francis Street Dublin 8, from 5-9pm.
Robots become artists
An exhibition at the Science Gallery "Seeing: What Are You Looking At?" will show robots becoming artists, brains becoming scanners, and how machines may change the way we look at our world. They're promising tunes and exclusive activities on the night, from 5-10pm.
Open mic night, St Patrick’s Mental Health Services
An array of artists will examine the positive sides of life, love and mental health. Hosted by cabaret diva Miss Truly DiVine, the night will bring you musical, poetry and dancing. Organisers say to bring your hat and leave your worries on the doorstep.
From 5-9pm on James's Street, Dublin 8.
Meditation sessions every hour
The Sanctuary, established in 1998 by Sr. Stanislaus Kennedy, is an Inter-spirituality, mindfulness and meditation centre on Stanhope St, Dublin 7. The vision of the Sanctuary is “to be…STILLNESS…in the world…” Enjoy the peace and tranquility of the Sanctuary and its beautiful gardens, and join in on meditation practice, every hour throughout the evening from 5pm. Learn about what's on offer at the Sanctuary.
