A cultural feast locally for Culture Night
By Amy Hallett
As the nights start to draw in, and there is a hint of chill in the air, it can only mean that it's that time of year again. Culture Night is upon us.
The nineteenth annual Culture Night will take place this Friday, September 20, and there are numerous opportunities to take in local culture throughout the Midlands, and all for free!
According to the Culture Night website, the event "celebrates culture, creativity and the arts and seeks to actively promote the belief that this rich and varied culture is alive, treasured and nurtured in people's lives, today and everyday."
Interested in the visual arts? Theatre? Music? Literature? Poetry? Film? Local history? The natural environment? Learning about the rich cultural heritage in Ireland today? There is truly something for everyone this Friday.
Here is an outline of some of the events that will be taking place in urban Athlone, as well as Moate, Kilbeggan, South Roscommon and Ballinasloe. For further details and an overview of all events, visit: culturenight.ie
ATHLONE TOWN
WHAT: 'Bean Feasa' Screening
WHERE: Douglas Hyde Theatre, TUS Athlone.
TIME: 4pm-6pm.
Athlone Family Resource Centre will be hosting a special screening of 'Bean Feasa', a project that tells the stories of women through poetry, music and song.
WHAT: Commemorating the 70th Anniversary of the Hosting of Fleadh Ceoil in Athlone
WHERE: Sean Costello Street, Athlone.
TIME: 6pm-7pm.
Feile na Sionainne & Comhaltas Athlone are unveiling a new plaque recently fitted to the new streetscape in Athlone, on the freshly-pedestrianised Sean Costello Street, to mark the 70th anniversary of the hosting of the Fleadh Ceoil in Athlone (1953).
WHAT: Athlone Castle Historical Garden Exhibition and Guided Tour
WHERE: Athlone Castle
TIME: 5.30pm-8.30pm
Drop into the castle, in the heart of Athlone town, for the last chance to see a temporary exhibition featuring children’s artworks inspired by the Historical Garden at Athlone Castle. There will be a guided tour of the exhibition at 5.45pm.
WHAT: Drop-in 'Myths and Monstrosities' Workshop at Luan Gallery
WHERE: Luan Gallery, Athlone.
TIME: 5:30pm-8pm.
Participants will be guided in creating their own figurine of a monster or mythical creature using craft materials. Participants will engage in critical discussion with the facilitator about the concept of monstrosity and the use of myth in our everyday lives.
WHAT: Outdoor Screening: The Battle of Ballinamuck
WHERE: Athlone Castle
TIME: 6.45pm start (lasts for 90 minutes)
Immerse yourself in history as Athlone Castle showcases 'The Battle of Ballinamuck' outdoors on the big screen. This is a documentary retelling of the story of the 1798 Rebellion, the town of Ballinamuck and its people who made a brave stand against British forces.
WHAT: Live Art Demo and Acoustic Gig in Dead Centre Brewing
WHERE: Dead Centre Brewing, Athlone
TIME: 7pm-9pm.
Artist Claire Guinan will be collaborating with indie duo Pressurised Container for a live art demo and music set. All welcome (over-18s).
WHAT: Curator's Tour of 'Tuberclerosies' exhibition
WHERE: Luan Gallery, Athlone.
TIME: 7.30pm-8.30pm.
Athlone's Luan Gallery will be keeping its doors open late this Culture Night. Audiences are invited to a curator's tour of Tuberclerosies, the gallery's solo exhibition from artist Kevin Mooney, at 7.30pm on Friday 20 September. Kevin Mooney is an Irish artist based in Cork. Informed by mythology, history, and cultural migration, his work explores a speculative art history of the Irish diaspora.
WHAT: Open Studios at Abbey Road
WHERE: Abbey Road Artists' Studios, Athlone.
TIME: 6pm-8pm.
Meet the artists in residence at Abbey Road Artists' Studios. This is an excellent opportunity for members of the public to meet these artists, get a behind-the-scenes insight into their practice, and see completed artwork and works in progress.
WHAT: Athlone Photography Club Exhibition
WHERE: Abbey Road Artists Studios, Athlone
TIME: 7pm-9pm
Athlone Mayor Cllr Frankie Keena will open this year’s Athlone Photography Club exhibition as part of Culture Night. The event is an opportunity for the public to see the impressive work being done by the photography club.
MOATE
WHAT: Flora & Fibre Sustainable Eco-Art Workshop
WHERE: Tuar Ard, Church Street, Moate.
TIME: 6:30pm-8:30pm.
This hands-on workshop facilitated by Art Box is designed as an introduction to foundational weaving skills using branches as a frame. During this workshop, participants will craft a beautiful handmade piece and gain the knowledge needed to pursue weaving independently. All are welcome and all materials will be provided.
WHAT: Folk Lure in Moate Library
WHERE: Moate Library.
TIME: 6pm-7pm.
Local musicians 'Folk Lure' will perform some traditional Irish tunes. Suitable for all.
WHAT: Thomasina Earley Exhibition Launch in Tuar Ard
WHERE: Tuar Ard, Church Street, Moate.
TIME: 7pm-9pm.
Thomasina Earley is well-known for her works which are created from Irish soil. Peat, clays and graphite enhanced with metal leaf are the materials which run through many of her works. There will be music and light refreshments served.
KILBEGGAN
WHAT: Kilbeggan Distillery Local History Talk: Women and Whiskey
WHERE: Kilbeggan Distillery, Lower Main Street, Kilbeggan.
TIME: 6:30pm-8:30pm.
Kilbeggan Distillery is hosting a talk by a local historian and author focusing on women past and present, and their contribution to the local community and to the distillery. There will be samples of whiskey and refreshments on the night.
SOUTH ROSCOMMON
WHAT: The Beauty of the World
WHERE: Moore Community Hall.
TIME: 6pm-9pm.
Mote Park Artists are a group of people, most of whom live in the Roscommon area, who meet on a regular basis to pursue their passion for art. The group will hold an exhibition of their work with the theme: "The Beauty of the World". Traditional music and poetry will also be part of the evening.
WHAT: The Rambling House
WHERE: Knockcroghery Community Centre
TIME: 7pm-9pm.
Come along for an evening of poetry, storytelling, music, songs, dance and classical guitar. Special guests Norma and Christopher Fry will perform the tango. Anne Rigney will also exhibit a selection of her mixed media paintings.
BALLINASLOE
WHAT: Group 8 Presents a Group Exhibition for Culture Night 2024
WHERE: Ballinasloe Town Band Hall, Ballinasloe.
TIME: 7pm-10pm (official opening at 7:30pm but exhibit runs from 11am on Friday).
Ballinasloe-based artist collective Group 8 will hold the opening of its yearly major exhibition, UISCE, where refreshments and music will be available. The exhibit will feature writing, paintings, wood turning, textiles, photography, ceramics, mixed media and sculpture.
WHAT: Traveller Connecting Culture
WHERE: Hymany Park, Ballinasloe.
TIME: 4pm-6pm
Ballinasloe Traveller Women's Group host a gathering to showcase and highlight Traveller culture and its people in a positive way. The event will include a display of wagons, traditional camps, cookery demonstrations, traveller arts, a variety of bespoke crafts and storytelling. There will also be singing and poetry reading.
All events are free to attend. For further information on any of the above events, and information on additional events, visit the Culture Night website at: www.culturenight.ie