Cork County came alive with the vibrant colours of culture and creativity in celebration of this year’s Culture Night on Friday 22nd September. Arts organisations, community groups and enthusiastic members of the public came together to enjoy a staggering 251 inclusive and diverse cultural events throughout the county.
From community centres to libraries, museums and even the local pub, the people of Cork County came together to showcase their passion for the arts, culture, and heritage with something for everyone to enjoy.
Activities were centred around 17 hub towns, namely Baile Mhúirne, Bandon, Bantry, Carrigaline, Charleville, Clonakilty, Cobh, Fermoy, Kinsale, Macroom, Mallow, Midleton, Mitchelstown, Passage West, Skibbereen, Watergrasshill, and Youghal. Events were also enjoyed in Beara, Ballydehob, Castlemagner, Coachford, Cullen, Doneraile, Glanworth, Killeagh, Rockchapel, Schull, Union Hall, and Bere Island.
The Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Frank O’Flynn said, “we want to congratulate all event organisers in the county who put on a tremendous show for this year’s Culture Night. We are delighted to see so many groups join together once again to celebrate this unique national event. There were thousands of culture spectators out and about on the night, the streets were full of energy and the lights were on late in many of our cultural institutions. We look forward to doing it all again next year.”
The highlights this year included an outdoor screening of Dirty Dancing at Mallow Castle which welcomed 1,800 people to see the film projected in the grounds of the castle, a community street procession through Carrigaline, Leonard Cohen songs performed by a ten-piece band in Mitchelstown, in Killeagh the town went gallivanting through an interactive poetry installation, video art, performances, visual art and more. The ‘Unexpected Art in Unusual Places’ trails took place in Cobh, Skibbereen, and Bandon, with sax at the hairdressers, art in banks, and dancing in the streets.
Chief Executive of Cork County Council, Tim Lucey said, “we are delighted to see another successful Culture Night in Cork County. Cork County Council are proud to have supported the incredible work of our cultural community in bringing this tremendous evening of celebration to so many parts of the county. I want to thank our Library and Arts Services who have worked hard for many months to co-ordinate this community-led programme with events for all.”
Culture Night is a national initiative by the Arts Council of Ireland delivered locally by Cork County Council.
Source: Cork County Council
