Pictured at the recent launch of Offaly Culture Night were Paul Moore, Mary Stewart, Cllr Eamon Dooley, Sinead O'Reilly and Cllr Declan Harvey.

Over 30 free events for Offaly Culture Night

A whole hosts of events around Offaly are planned for Culture Night tonight (Friday).

The night’s bill of events is growing immensely every year with this year being the biggest so far, with over 30 free events pencilled in at this stage.

The varied programme includes music, theatre, poetry, craft and comedy, with locations as diverse as castles, pubs and libraries all over the county.

As an integral part of culture, music is well represented in each corner of the county, with Leap Castle as the venue for 'Tradtastic’ at 8pm.

Tullamore’s Church of the Assumption plays host to 'Pipe Dreams & Music’ at 6pm as its famous Danish Frobenius organ will entertain the audience as well as entice them to try it …under some supervision!

A very limited audience will be entertained in Ballybrittan Castle, Edenderry by renowned pianist Dr Dearbhaile O’Donnell at 7.30pm.

For a more casual night, JJ Houghs in Banagher present 'Theatre Vignettes’ which will bring fiction and reality together with the help of Banagher Musical Society at 9pm.

Storytelling is a prominent feature of the night for both adults and children. A puppet presentation called 'Mary Mary Viking Storyteller’ takes place in Birr Theatre and Arts Centre at 6pm, while artist Paul Timoney will be appearing in both Tullamore and Edenderry libraries respectively to leave children in awe with his tall tales.

Local Edenderry authors including Geraldine O’Neill invite you to listen to stories and participate in a question and answer session at Larkins Lounge in Edenderry at 8pm.

In Moneygall’s Gallery Revival some impromptu spoken word, song and dance and of course, art, await attendees from 6pm on the night onwards.

Birr’s Inspired Craft Shop will hold a glass painting workshop with Linda Kelly at 2pm and later that evening, slam poet Cormac Lally will recite some of his work.

Please note some events require booking, contact 057 9357400 for more information and booking details.

A full programme of events will be available throughout Offaly, so be sure to check local shops, libraries and public buildings.

Further information and a downloadable programme can also be found online at offaly.ie/arts or on the Culture Night Offaly Facebook page.