Culture Night is back in Offaly

Culture Night is back next month, and Offaly’s programme sees a wealth of curious cultural venues offering remarkable artistic experiences.

From a hedgeschool in a scultpure park to a Polish trumpeter in a courthouse and a theatre in a whiskey centre to ballet in a castle, Offaly’s faithful are in for a Culture Night to remember this year.

Offaly arts office and co-ordinator of Offaly Culture Night Sinead O’Reilly spoke to the Offaly Independent this week, saying she’s looking forward to the now annual event.

“There is certainly something for everyone this year in Offaly and we are delighted to also use the opportunity to showcase the inspiring artistry of local performers,” she said.

“Offaly is home to the National Choir of the Year (Tullamore Academy Chamber Choir) and the smallest venue in Ireland (Public Access Arts, Edenderry) so for us, Culture Night is an opportunity for everyone to explore, experience and enjoy Offaly at its cultural best.”

Music lovers can enjoy Tullamore Town Band featuring Diarmuid Guinan on the site of the new arts centre in Tullamore on the evening, along with Lyric String Quartet pianist Dearbhaile O’Donnell in Ballybrittan Castle and Tullamore Gospel Choir and the Miles O’Bog Jazz Ensemble in a shopping centle.

Polish music by Jacek Lomejko and friends will be performed in Daingean courthouse, while traditional music will be played at Leap Castle, Belmont Mill and Francroft Mill.

The nation’s smallest venue - Public Access Arts in Edenderry - will feature a collaborative of 40 local musicians called Mór in a late night live lounge session. The only intricacy is that there may not be any room for an audience of more than four at a time!

If visual art is your feast then a hedgeschool sculpture workshop at Sculpture in the Parklands might be your thing. A talk by the National Gallery at Belmont Mill on their print and drawing collection will offer something different to the traditional exhibition experience meanwhile.

Dance enthusiasts will enjoy the French Kerman Dance Company at Birr Theatre and Arts Centre, ballet solos at Clonony Castle, Legitmate Bodies Dance Company at the Bridge Centre and world champion Irish dancer Ciara Callanan Ryan at Leap Castle.

Disciples of the spoken word will enjoy storyteller Pat Speight and author Patricia Gibney at Tullamore Library, Broken Bottles Theatre Company at the Tullamore DEW Visitors Centre, Tullamore Rhymers Club as part of coffee shop pop up poetry in Tullamore and an open mic session in Edenderry Library.

For more information on Culture Night in Offaly and to book an event contact 057 9357400, arts@offalycoco.ie or see www.offaly.ie/arts.