Free events set to inspire a nation of culture vultures
More than 100,000 people are expected to attend a range of free cultural events across the city next month.
And for the first time since it began in 2006, Dublin's Culture Night has expanded nationwide.
Galleries, museums and gardens in the four major cities around the country will stay open until 11pm on September 19 and will play host to a series of free events.
Yesterday the Arts Council announced the hundreds of events that will take place across Cork, Galway, Limerick and Dublin at a cost of €300,000.
And more than 100,000 people are expected to attend in Dublin alone, which would be an increase of 20pc on last year.
Among the highlights are painting classes at the National Gallery of Ireland; open mic poetry at the Unitarian Church on St Stephen's Green in Dublin; giant board games and puppet shows at Limerick's City Library; and workshops by Lorg Printmakers and Artspace Art Collective in Galway.
Arts Council chairwoman Olive Braiden described the event as "a night of opportunities, a night to entice people out of the ordinary and into the extraordinary".
Director of Culture Night and head of cultural development at Temple Bar Cultural Trust (TBCT) Grainne Millar said the aim was to "open cultural venues and experiences to people".
Liz Meaney, arts officer for Cork City Council, said over 30 venues would be taking part in the Culture Night in Cork.
Events will include film karaoke in the Glucksman Gallery, music performances in the Civic Trust House and tours of City Hall.
- Sarah Neville
