Culture Night 2023 takes place on Friday 22nd September with a mix of fantastic cultural events taking place all around the country. We’ve picked out a selection of fantastic family-friendly events that look really fun – take a look below!
There is a wide variety of family-friendly events to choose from, ranging from pottery, painting and performances to drumming, drawing and dancing! The full programme can be found on the Culture Night website.
Family Events for Culture Night 2023
Book Clinic with Children’s Books Ireland, Dublin
Time: 5-9pm
Where: Cregan Library, DCU St Patrick’s Campus, Drumcondra, Dublin
Are you a young reader? Looking for a new series to delve into? Feeling uninspired by your bookshelves at home? Then pop into the Children’s Books Ireland Book Clinic in the Cregan Library where you will find thousands of children’s books some dating back to the early 1900’s
Young readers and their families are invited to drop in for an informal consultation with one of Children’s Books Ireland’s friendly Book Doctors, who are ready to offer the best advice for young readers. The consultation begins with some questions about books the young reader previously read, as well as activities, movies, TV shows and video games they enjoy. This lets the Book Doctor know a little bit more about the patient so they can write a book prescription, which is a personalised list of books recommended for the individual patient. Every patient leaves the Book Clinic with a book prescription to take to their local library or bookshop to have filled.
No booking is required. For more information, click here.
‘Owlchemy Whooo’s’ Interactive Family Walk, Castlebar
Time: 5-8pm
Where: Market Square, Castlebar
Explore the town with a specially crafted map where parents and children will have exciting tasks to complete along the way!
After exploring, meet back at Market Square and take part in a mini workshop where you will use recycled materials to make your very own owl.
All welcome, most suited to children aged 3+. For more information, click here.
Outdoor Cinema and Live Music at Mallow Castle, Cork
Time: 7-10pm
Where: Mallow Castle, Cork
Enjoy an outdoor cinema experience on the banks of the Blackwater River with the backdrop of Mallow Castle.
There will be live music before the film, which this year is Dirty Dancing. And refreshments can be purchased on-site. Wrap up warm!
Suitable for all ages and abilities. Booking Essential.
For more information and to book tickets, click here.
Junior Explorer Tours at The GAA Museum, Croke Park, Dublin
Time: 6-8pm
Where: GAA Museum, Croke Park, Dublin
Join in for Junior Explorer Night at the GAA Museum. Younger visitors are encouraged to take a Junior Explorer passport and find the answers to the questions amidst the museum’s exhibitions. Learn about the evolution of the GAA and see some awesome objects along the way! There will also be pop-up workshops, colouring Cú Chulainn’s Den and pitch viewings.
Booking is essential. For more information and to book, click here.
Groovy Hands Drum Workshop, Tipperary
Time: 6-8pm
Where: Tipperary Town Library
Enjoy an interactive drumming workshop with Groovy Hands at Tipperary Town Library. There will be 2 workshops:
- Workshop 1: 6pm to 6.45pm is suitable for ages 6+
- Workshop 2: 7pm to 7.45pm is suitable for teen and adults
Booking is required. For more information and to book, click here.
An Evening of Song, Dance & Culture for All Ages, Carlow
Time: 7-9pm
Where: Carlow Central Library
An evening of Miscellany with the Carlow Storytellers, with contributions from the Dargan Dancers, Jolly O’Rock & AHA Story Tellers, the Butler Sisters & Carlow Little Theatre with an excerpt from the Stewart of Christendom.
All are welcome to this night of culture and fun.
No booking is required. For more information, click here.
Johnstown Castle After Hours Tour, Wexford
Time: 16.30-19.30pm
Where: Johnstown Castle, Wexford
Step back in time and enjoy a fascinating after hours guided tour of the 19th century Johnstown Castle.
In this one hour guided tour, visitors will be brought through 9 restored rooms, including the family dining room and servant’s basement, and will learn all about the castle’s 854 year history.
Visitors will also hear stories about the Johnstown family history, which includes war, rebellion, and tragedy.
Suitable for all ages. Booking required. For more information, click here.
An Evening of Ukrainian and Irish Culture at Strokestown Park House, Roscommon
Time: 7-9pm
Where: Vaulted Stables & Yard at Strokestown Park House
Join in this free, informal event designed to share and compare cultures. The event will be centred around food, music, art and history. There will be an opportunity to sample food from both cultures.
Also on display will be a special piece of work designed for Culture Night by Strokestown’s artist in residence, Olena Kovalevych and The Women’s Shed on the theme of community, alongside other work by Olena and her students.
Suitable for all ages & abilities. No booking required. For more information, click here.
Don’t Miss…
Are you searching for what’s on for families in Ireland? Enjoy hours of family fun with our monthly round up of exciting events and things to do!
Storytelling, Poetry & Music for all Ages, Clare
Time: 6-10pm (2 sessions)
Where: Anita’s Store, Mountshannon, Co Clare
The evening begins with storytelling for children with Ruth Marshall storyteller, poet and folklorist.
This will be followed by poetry readings by John Tynan and Karen J. McDonnell, an eclectic mix of jazz standards by local musicians Quarter Jazz and finishing with Maria Gillen storyteller, expert in the ‘Bean Feasa’ (Wise Woman) tradition of storytelling.
Booking is required. For more information and to book tickets, click here.
Concert In The Park, Meath
Time: 7.30-9pm
Where: Dunshaughlin Park, Meath
Bring along a deck chair and a picnic blanket and enjoy afree, open-air concert in Dunshaughlin park. The concert will suit everyone, young and old, with ample room for everyone.
No booking required. For more information, click here.
Inishowen Carnival Presents Strange Creatures, Donegal
Time: 6-10pm
Where: Letterkenny Town Park, Co Donegal
Inishowen Carnival presents a sculpture and performance trail through Letterkenny Town Park inspired by the diversity on planet Earth.
In homage to the weird and wonderful creatures that emerge from the undergrowth, Inishowen Carnival has created some exotic creatures of their own, fierce and furry, winged, spiky and gnarly!
No booking required. For more information, click here.
Aitell Aerial Dance Performance, Leitrim
Time: 4.15-5.45pm
Where: The Market Yard, Carrick On Shannon, Leitrim
This unique performance brings together two highly skilled performers from the Leitrim/Sligo locality in a celebration of the arts and our shared connections to local land and weather. The mix of circus and contemporary art in Aiteall give this unique site-specific performance a wide appeal to all audiences and ages.
Aiteall is an early evening performance suited to family audiences and takes place in the Market Yard, Carrick-on-Shannon. The piece is thirty minutes long and will be performed twice, from 4.15pm-4.45pm and from 5.15pm-5.45pm.
No booking required. For more information, click here.
Circus Skills Workshops, Galway
Time: 6-7.30pm
Where: Galway Community College, Wellpark
Try out some exciting circus skills and discover talents you never knew you had! Galway Community Circus tutors will help you to try a variety of different skills such as juggling, hula hoop, and tightwire.
These workshops are for all abilities and fitness levels, and there is no experience necessary.
No booking required. For more information, click here.
Fiery Forces of Ireland, Dublin
Time: 5-8.30pm
Where: Museum Building, Trinity College, Dublin
Visitors will experience the thrill of science firsthand at this interactive event to showcase modern volcanological research conducted by the combined expertise of Trinity College Dublin (TCD), University College Dublin (UCD), and the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (DIAS).
Witness mini volcanic eruptions, feel Earth’s subtle movements through seismometers, and discover the characteristics of molten rock with magma rheology demonstrations.
Attendees will be able to explore a range of geological samples and talk to experts about unlocking the significance of volcanology in Ireland’s past and its impact on our economic future.
This event is suitable for all ages and visitors will leave with a new connection to Ireland’s fiery volcanic past and a lasting impression of the excitement of volcanology.
No booking required. For more information click here.
Unusual Instrument Try Out Session, Killarney
Time: 4-6pm
Where: ANAM Killarney Arts & Cultural Centre, Co Kerry
Music Generation Kerry invite you to come to try out strange and unique world and electronic instruments with Vairis at ANAM- Killarney’s Arts & Cultural Centre!
Vairis has a big collection of instruments from Asia and South America as well as electronic instruments, such as theremins and vocoders.
Your child will have a unique and enjoyable experience encouraging their interest in music making.
- 4-5pm workshop for 4 to 6 year olds
- 5-6pm workshop for 7 to 8 year olds
Booking is essential. Please select the workshop that best fits your child’s age. For more information and to book, click here.
About the Author: Jill Holtz
