Plenty of excitement in store for culture vultures in Cork City
VENUES ACROSS THE CITY SET TO OPEN THEIR DOORS TO PUBLIC FOR RAFT OF FREE EVENTS
AS Ireland’s second city, Cork has always prided itself on being every bit as attractive to visitors as the capital, with hidden and not-so-hidden gems dominating the skyline and around almost every street corner.
Many of these gems will feature in a packed programme for Culture Night 2019 on Friday, September 20, with more than 250 free events taking place in more than 100 participating venues across the city over the course of the evening.
Cork City Council has issued an open invitation to the public to explore the city by bike, bus, on foot or even on the river Lee and enjoy a packed line-up of events that promises to seep into every nook and cranny of this bustling city, giving people a fantastic opportunity to revel in its vibrant and exciting cultural heritage.
With so much happening on Culture Night it is no exaggeration to say that there truly is something for everyone, with dancing, live music, theatre and film and exhibitions set to dominate the city’s streets, buildings and waterways.
Cork actress Siobhan Murphy, who will be familiar to many as Sister Michael in the award-winning Channel 4 comedy series ‘Derry Girls’, is official Culture Night ambassador for Cork City.
The Aherla native said she was delighted to be associated with an initiative event that “showcases the city’s deep connection to the arts.”
“I feel truly honoured to be the ambassador for an event that embraces and celebrates the rich culture that exists in my home city.
“Although I’ve spent the past 15 years working all across Ireland and the UK, my support of Cork and its affiliation to the arts has never waned,” said Siobhan.
She said there was good reason why Cork City Culture Night has continued to flourish and expand since it was first staged more than decade ago.
“This city’s relationship with theatre, film, art, music and more is enduring and I hope we continue to cherish our creativity for many years to come,” said Siobhan.
“So, whether you’re a regular culture vulture or a newbie on the Culture Night scene, this night is guaranteed to be a memorable one, so let there be no doubt surrounding where you need to be this coming Friday, September 20,” she added.
There are three main criteria that distinguish a Culture Night event/venue; it must be a free event; it must be open and accessible to the public after 4pm and, perhaps most importantly, venues must offer something different from the norm.
The latter point is incredibly evident with the extensive 2019 Cork City programme, with a vast array of venues, from cafés, pubs and theatre spaces to educational institutions and art galleries all going above and beyond to ensure this year’s celebrations are as unique as they are memorable.
Examples of this include tours of the in-house art collection at the Cork University Hospital, musical performances and guided tours at St Fin Barre’s Cathedral and an opportunity to look behind the scenes at the Cork City and County Archives in Blackpool.
The full programme of events organised for Culture Night 2019 in Cork City can be viewed at www. culturenightcork.ie.