CULTURE NIGHT is tomorrow, and there are hundreds of free events going on throughout the country to coax us all into participating with the arts. The busiest city will be Dublin, where 154 venues are opening their doors to encourage the public to engage with arts after hours.
Dublin Bus is running free buses on three routes between 6pm and 11pm, to maximise the amount of culture you can take in. Route A runs from Bachelor’s Walk to Parnell Square, via Croke Park; B from Aston Quay to Custom House Quay, via Collins Barracks and IMMA; and C from Trinity to Westland Row, via Merrion Square and the RDS. There is also a fee app, called Dublin Culture Night, and an interactive map that will allow you to plan your route before you even start. With hundreds of Dublin Bikes at stands all across the city, and many venues within walking distance, there are plenty of transport options.
Here's a sample of some of the scores of events going on in the capital tomorrow night. All are free, but some require advance bookings, so check culturenight.ie
James Joyce House
The James Joyce House on Usher’s Island where his most famous short story, The Dead, was set, will be open for “tea, songs and a tour”. There’s no guarantee that one of the songs will be The Lass of Aughrim, which Bartell D’Arcy sings in the story and which prompts Gretta Conroy’s bittersweet memories, but you can always ask.
Hopefully snow will not yet be general all over Ireland.
5-10pm, 15 Usher’s Island, Dublin 8
Gutter Bookshop
The Gutter Bookshop recently won the bookshop category of The Irish Times Best Shops. It’s promising readings, art installations and music.
5-10pm, Gutter Bookshop, Cow’s Lane, Dublin 8
Art boot camp
Adrienne Geoghegan is running a visual art workshop in her kitchen, where you will learn how to make “artist trading cards with a circus theme”.
5-7pm, 4 Provost Row, Dublin 7
Casino at Marino
If, for some reason, you have never visited Dublin’s architectural jewel box, designed by William Chambers, this is the night you must go, and view it in the atmospheric gloaming. The Casino at Marino resembles a single-roomed Greek temple on the outside, and inside, the 16 exquisite rooms reveal themselves like fabergé eggs.
5-9pm, Casino at Marino, Dublin 3
La Catedral
There are 24 artists’ studios at La Catedral Studios. If you want to ask illustrators, photographers, artists, sculptors and fashion designers about their work, and where their ideas come from, this is the opportunity.
5-11pm, La Catedral Studios,
Augustine Street, Dublin 8
Drama workshop
It might take longer than an hour to learn to be an actor, but you can start to uncover the thespian that may reside within you by the free one-hour drama workshops at the Gaiety School of Acting. There are workshops for children and adults.
5-11pm, Gaiety School of Acting
Temple Bar, Dublin 2
Paintings and prayer
September is the month of harvest. Amid all the bustle of Friday night, at St Paul’s Church, Eileen Kane will give a bucolic-sounding talk on the theme of “A harvest of fruit and flowers in European painting.” The talk will be followed by a prayer service.
6-10pm, St Paul’s Church,
Arran Quay, Dublin 7
Na Píobairí Uilleann
Henrietta Street is a piece of living architectural culture by itself. No 15 was recently restored, and houses Na Píobairí Uilleann. This is a chance to see the house, its archive of uilleann pipes, and to hear musicians play what’s reputed to be the most difficult traditional Irish instrument to master.
6-11pm, 15 Henrietta Street, Dublin 1
Windmill Lane
Most people have to be able to sing to get through these doors – Van Morrison, U2, Lady Gaga – but tomorrow night they’re going to let you in too, even if you only usually croon in the shower. It’s a chance to look around Windmill Lane Recording Studios and hear “an intimate live gig”. They’re not saying who’s playing, but Bono has been known to pop up at ad-hoc venues in town. Best keep an eye on Twitter.
5-11pm, Windmill Lane, Ringsend Road, Dublin 4
Bewley’s
Just in case you’ve forgotten they’re there, or you haven’t seen them for a while, drop in to look at Harry Clarke’s much-loved windows of flowers, birds and butterflies in Bewley’s of Grafton Street. In a city where so few cultural landmarks associated with businesses remain, the Harry Clarke windows are truly special.
5-11pm, Bewleys Grafton Street, Dublin 2
Organ music
“Non-stop” classical organ music by Bach, Handel, Vivaldi, Pachelbel and many others are promised at St Finian’s Lutheran Church. Drop in for five minutes or five hours.
5-11pm, Adelaide Road, Dublin 2
Quakers
Have you ever been curious about the Religious Society of Friends, known as Quakers? Well, come and meet some. Members of the society will be available to talk to the public and to discuss the Quaker faith with them.
5-11pm, 4-5 Eustace Street, Dublin 2
Community creativity
If you’re wondering what “contemporary creativity” is, then head to “Space” in Rathmines to find out. It’s being described as a “new creative hub”, where a “creative community” works.
5-11pm, Ardee Road, Rathmines, Dublin 6
Film night
The Irish Film Institute is 20 years in Temple Bar, and for Culture Night, it’s showing an Oirish film so bad it’s good – Far and Away. Tom Cruise’s attempt at an Irish accent is about as convincing, if less offensive, than Mickey Rooney trying to pass himself off as Asian in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. And with the new fancy outdoor umbrellas in the square, you don’t have to worry about getting lashed on any more.
8pm, Meeting House Square, Dublin 2
