Donegal’s 18th Culture Night will see events the length and breadth of the county
Friday night will see events from Inishowen in the north to Ballyshannon and Bundoran in the south, taking in Letterkenny, Donegal Town, and the county's Island and Gaeltacht communities
Culture Night / Oíche Chultúir, the all-island public event that celebrates culture, creativity and the arts, is taking place this Friday, September 18, from 4pm until late.
Donegal County Council Culture Division is presenting a programme of free events that reaches the length and breadth of the county.
The “One Night For All” will see events from Inishowen in the north to Ballyshannon and Bundoran in the south, taking in Letterkenny, Donegal Town, and the county's Island and Gaeltacht communities.
Culture Night in Inishowen
Buncrana's Main Street comes alive from 6pm with the Buncrana Culture Night Trail: 'Edge of the Atlantic, Heart and Sound of the Arts,' as businesses along the street transform into stages for performances, exhibitions, workshops, live music, storytelling and creative experiences, continuing the development of The Heart and Sound of Buncrana community-led trail. At the Buncrana Angling Centre, Artlink presents Wind Chimes with Caoimhe Stones, a workshop exploring the history and calming qualities of wind chimes made from found and recycled materials.
Culture Night in Donegal Town
Donegal Town's Culture Night launches with a free walking tour of The Diamond, led by local tour guide and historical fashion enthusiast Niamh Coughlan and departing from The Abbey Hotel at 5pm, followed by a mayor's address from Mayor Anna Gallagher and a performance from the Bluestack Chorale. The Abbey Hotel lobby then serves as the town's Culture Night information hub until 8pm.
Music continues through the evening: When Three Choirs Meet (7pm–8pm) brings together EnCor Tirconaill, The Donegal Abbey Singers and The Bluestack Chorale in the Presbyterian Church, while the Donegal Railway Heritage Museum hosts an intimate folk set from Letterkenny duo Without Willow in a historic passenger coach, The Station Sessions (6pm–7pm, booking required), followed by readings from the Tír Conaill Writing Group (7.30pm–8.30pm). At Donegal Castle, the Goladoo Ensemble & Friends perform the music of celebrated blind harper and composer Turlough O'Carolan (7.30pm–8.30pm, advance booking required).
Culture Night in Ballyshannon and Bundoran
In Ballyshannon, the artist-run Old Barracks Studios and Gallery opens its doors for the evening (6pm–8pm), with resident printmakers, musicians and multidisciplinary artists on hand to talk about their work. In Bundoran, the Community Centre hosts An Evening of Music, Poetry, Food and History (8pm–9.30pm), with food tasting, refreshments and live entertainment from the Bundoran Community Choir, alongside performances from local poets and musicians.
Culture Night at Glenveagh Castle
New to the programme this year, Glenveagh Castle is opening late for Culture Night for a unique evening not to be missed. Costumed characters will welcome visitors, live music will fill the castle and visitor centre, and guests can meet the castle's friendly gardeners and get creative with nature. The evening concludes with a performance from acclaimed fiddler Jack Houston, from 7pm to 8pm in the Audio Visual Theatre. The Castle Tea Rooms and Nellie's Restaurant will open late.
Oíche Chultúir sa Ghaeltacht
Donegal's Gaeltacht communities are marking Oíche Chultúir with their own dedicated programme, running from Gaoth Dobhair to Toraigh, Árainn Mhór and Gabhla, and from Rann na Feirste to Gleann Cholm Cille, Cill Chartha and Ard a' Rátha. Highlights include traditional music and storytelling nights, an Irish-language 'Bus Cultúir' touring south-west Donegal, and events on Toraigh and Gabhla. Full details of all Gaeltacht events are available in the programme and online.
READ NEXT: South Donegal Cafe to support those living with dementia set to open
Culture Night in Letterkenny
In Bernard McGlinchey Town Park, Inishowen Carnival presents Spirit Animals, a sculpture and performance trail exploring how ancient cultures mythologised the animals that lived around them, (6pm–10pm, performances 8pm & 9pm) and World Culture, Open Air Multicultural Performances (7pm–8pm).
Donegal County Museum runs Rockwell Kent: An American Artist in Donegal, a preview of the new play As I Lay Dreaming, The Banshee (from 8.30pm), a Comhaltas trad session, vintage vehicles and a volunteering photography exhibition, all 6pm–10pm. Outside An Grianán Theatre, the Inisowiacy Polish Folk Group will perform from 7pm–8pm, while Rosie Mullin's God Love Her will show inside the theatre at 6pm and 8.30pm. The Regional Cultural Centre (5pm–9pm) shows three exhibitions plus the PHASE SHIFT audiovisual installation, RCC Kids activities and a Donegal Youth Orchestra open rehearsal.
Other events include Elevate 55’s gig night for young musicians (7pm–9pm), the Central Library’s open mic night, tours and family events (6pm–8pm), Threads of Belonging at Donegal Intercultural Platform, ZoNa Dance's Studio Showcase, the Cathedral Quarter's open office and Living History tour, the Donegal Chamber Orchestra and Conwal Singers, The Cottage at the End of the Universe in The Cottage Bar, and sean-nós singer Clíona Ní Ghallachóir at Líonra Leitir Ceanainn.
Culture Night Across the County
Cló & Co Printmaking Studio in Ramelton opens its doors for live print demonstrations (5pm–7pm), and Bat Conservation Ireland and Donegal County Council's Biodiversity Service lead a moonlit Bat Safari at the CPI Centre in Castlefin (6.30pm–8.30pm, booking required). All events are free to attend. Please check the programme in advance to find out if booking is necessary for the events you hope to go to.
For more information on the full programme, visit http://www.culturenight.ie/donegal.