On Friday September 21, locals and visitors to Mayo will enjoy the special experience of Culture Night, a free night of cultural exploration and excitement in 22 venues across the county. Museums, galleries, historic houses, artists’ studios and cultural groups will keep their doors open late into the evening welcoming people of all ages to taste and sample their cultural delights for free on the evening.
Culture Night 2012 was officially launched in mid-August by Jimmy Deenihan, Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in Cork City Hall and is set to be the largest Culture Night to date, with a record number of towns, cities, counties, and islands across the nation taking part in this late night cultural extravaganza. The ethos of the Culture Night is access to free cultural events for all, and participating venues nationwide will extend opening hours and organise events which are free of charge and open to the public.
Culture Night events will be taking place across the length and breadth of the county. This year the programme includes Iorras (Áras Inis Gluaire & Comhar Dún Chaocháin ), Acaill (Scoil Acla ), Ballina (Ballina Arts Centre & Ballina Library ), Ballycastle (Ballinglen Arts Foundation ), Lahardane (Lahardane Hammer & Tongs Group ), Claremorris (Claremorris Open Exhibition, Claremorris Gallery & Claremorris CCÉ ), Castlebar (Artsquad & Linenhall Arts Centre ), Ballinrobe (TACÚ FRC ), Tuar Mhic Éadaigh (Hall Thuar Mhic Éadaigh ), Westport (Custom House Studios, Greenway Artists Initiative, Gnó Mhaigh Eo & Westport House ), Newport (Greenway Artists Initiative ), Charlestown (Charlestown Arts Centre ), Turlough (National Museum of Ireland – Country Life ) and The Great Western Greenway.
Imaginative and creative programmes in all venues ensure Culture Night audiences will not be disappointed. Planned activities include open studios, genealogy sessions, family workshops, films, exhibitions, performances, craft displays, talks, tours, music seisiúns and much, much, more. With free events taking place throughout the county and catering for all ages, there is bound to be something for everyone.
Mayo County Council Arts Office will be working in partnership with the local venues, Templebar Cultural Trust and the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to bring the Culture Night initiative to Mayo. Midwest Radio is media sponsor for the Culture Night event in Mayo and eager audiences should tune into our local radio station for further information in the coming weeks.
More details on Mayo Culture Night are available at www.mayococo.ie and a programme of events is available from the Arts Office, local libraries, tourist offices and arts centres. For further information contact Ann Marie McGing at Mayo Arts Office on 094 904 7558 or by email [email protected]
