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Communities around Cork County are gearing up for an exciting Culture Night 2024, with over 120 free events taking place in their localities on Friday 20th September. From Abba in ancient castles, to DJs beside the sea and music and dancing in the streets, this year’s programme promises to be one of the most exciting yet. Celebrating 19 years in 2024, Culture Night Cork County is coordinated by Cork County Council and funded by the Arts Council. It’s a chance to celebrate Cork’s artistic, cultural, and thriving creative communities.
Following last year’s tremendous success with an estimated 16,000 people engaging with events across the county, Culture Night Cork County 2024 offers an array of diverse options including events created by and for young people, opportunities to speak and sing in Irish, showcases of international culture and traditions, shows by well-known performers, and everything in between.
Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Joe Carroll says:
“It is fantastic to see the excitement building in our towns and villages for Culture Night 2024. The sheer variety and number of events taking place is a wonderful indication of the creativity and imagination that can be found all around the county. There’s a rich programme to be discovered in the 17 hub areas of Baile Bhuirne, Bandon, Bantry, Carrigaline, Charleville, Clonakilty, Cobh, Fermoy, Kinsale, Macroom, Mallow, Midleton, Mitchelstown, Passage West, Skibbereen, Watergrasshill, and Youghal as well as surrounding areas and the islands off the coast of Cork. I invite everyone to take a chance and try something new, there is something for everyone to enjoy.”
This year’s programme celebrates the diverse cultures that can be found in all corners of the county. In Bandon, the Ukrainian community presents a Flower Crown Workshop as well as showcasing their traditional heritage, young people and adults are welcome. Clonakilty hosts Raise Your Voices, the debut of the new Clonakilty Gospel Choir performing some old favourites. The now annual Carrigalive in Carrigaline focuses on the town’s multicultural population this year, with youth bands, a senior men’s choir, Irish dancers, a Pipe band, and music and dance from traditional Irish to Indian styles. At Gadaí Dubh Books in Baile Bhuirne, all ages are invited to Stroll-in Ceol to enjoy a session featuring music, song, dance and Irish language poetry.
As part of the new Culture Night Late initiative and supported by Cork County Council, the Electronic Music Council are taking over Cobh with Cruthú Cois Farraige (Creation by the Sea), four high energy and inclusive events taking place in Sirius Arts Centre, The Quays Entertainment, The Commodore Hotel, and a boat that sets sail from Cobh Harbour. Cruthú Cois Farraige (Creation by the Sea) is a unique event where creativity meets education and celebration. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about electronic music sound, equipment, and vinyl through hands-on workshops. Way of the West x Connolly’s Of Leap also presents a late night opportunity to dance, with headliner Darren Emerson joined by local and international talent in electronic music.
Just some of the other highlights to look forward to include:
- Waisted – The Culture of Food – A photo exhibition by Thady Trá that celebrates ‘ugly’ food that questions the way we consume and value our veggies. Part of a year-long effort in Clonakilty called ‘Waste Not, Want Not’ and co-hosted by VOICE Ireland at the Green Dot Cafe
- A puppetry event and DoReDee Singwith me for Children in Watergrasshill
- Short and sweet Shakespeare by Youghal Little Theatre at the art deco Regal Cinema in Youghal
- The launch of Poetry and Prose from Cork County Libraries by Cork County Council Writer-in-Residence Victoria Kennefick
- MicroCultures: A miniature paradecelebrating multifarious cultures hosted by Greywood Arts in Killeagh
All events are free, however advance booking is required for certain events, see www.culturenightcorkcounty.ie for more information.
About Culture Night
The annual, national Culture Night / Oíche Chultúir is a national moment celebrating all that makes up the richness and diversity of culture in Ireland today; connecting people to cultural activities locally and nationally and opening up pathways to ongoing engagement.
Date: Friday 20th September 2024
Time: 4pm until late
Location: Venues and areas across Cork County
Cost: All events are free. Booking required for certain events, see website for more info.
Website & Programme: www.culturenight.ie/ www.culturenightcorkcounty.ie