Roscommon hosting 23 free events for Culture Night

An unprecedented 23 events, fittingly being staged on September 23, will form the programme for Culture Night in Roscommon today (Friday).

Roscommon County Council said the schedule represented the most ambitious and extensive array of events to take place in the county in what is traditionally one of the highlights of the local artistic calendar.

Details of this year’s events were recently launched at Somers Park, Castlerea by the Cathaoirleach of Roscommon County Council, Cllr Tom Crosby.

Somers Park is a new Outdoor Public and Performance Space in Castlerea which will become a major focal point for artistic expression in the county in the future.

Already the new outdoor space has been used for performances straddling many genres, receiving considerable critical acclaim. The venue is hosting an evening of ancient music, at 6pm, to coincide with Culture Night.

Events in Roscommon kick off at 3.30pm and run until midnight, offering the public a chance to experience a range of arts and culture in the county’s eclectic cultural venues in the likes of Arigna, Ballydangan, Boyle, Castlerea, Cootehall, Frenchpark, Keadue, Knockcroghery, Roscommon town and Strokestown.

For those who can stick the pace, Music Generation Roscommon will host a late night event for young bands and DJs at The Quad in Roscommon town!

Events commemorating major historical figures are also a strong feature of Culture Night celebrations in Roscommon this year.

As well as the many events taking place this year, there will also a number of major cultural initiatives being launched.

Large scale images appeared in this week's Roscommon Herald supplement, ‘War & Peace - The Satirical Sketches of the Roscommon Herald 1920-1923’, will be exhibited in Roscommon Branch Library from 3pm to 8pm to coincide with Culture Night on September 23.

Former Roscommon County Librarian Richie Farrell will be instrumental in the staging of the inaugural Roderic O’Conor Conference, which will be launched at Clonalis House on Culture Night, with a full day programme of events at Roscommon Arts Centre on Saturday, September 24, part of Roscommon’s Creative Ireland Programme.

"We encourage everyone to have a look at the Roscommon programme curated by the Arts Office – there is bound to be an event nearby to suit everyone," said council Cathaoirleach Tom Crosby

"We are delighted to support the Roscommon artists, performers, organisers and venues and thank them for their time in preparing and creating the exciting work which will be presented on Culture Night. With over 20 events, there will be no shortage of arts and culture to be enjoyed."

For more information on the Roscommon Culture Night events, see: https://culturenight.ie/roscommon/ or join the conversation on Roscommon Culture Night dedicated Facebook page.

All events are proudly supported by Roscommon County Council and the Arts Council.