Celebrating Culture night in Galway

Culture Night is one of Galway International Arts Festival’s favourite nights of the year. On 16 September all over Ireland museums, galleries, theatres and more throw open their doors for some spectacular events. Being the European Capital of Culture 2020, Galway’s pulling out all the stops…

Galway gets creative

The Collegiate Church of St Nicholas is displaying 100 roses in honour of the 1916 Easter Rising. These are handmade and took 500 hours to create! ‘A Year on the Prom’ is an exhibition by Galway artist Geraldine Folan, opening in the hallowed surroundings of the old Connacht Tribune Printworks - or the Festival Gallery as it’s known every July. Folan spent a year painting the Salthill Promenade at different times of day, and the results are stunning.

Get ready for a night packed of culture at the 126 Gallery, with a late night opening of an exhibition by Levi Hanes, and behind-the-scenes tours of the studios and gallery workshop. The main event? A live performance art trail leading you from Eyre Square to the gallery’s recently-opened new space in the ‘Hidden Valley.

Theatre and film

Did you know that Galway is one of only five UNESCO Cities of Film in the WORLD? Galway City of Film presents The One Minute Film Festival Special, based on the theme ‘Galway: My Home, My Place’. 30 1-minute films of all genres will be screened, including documentaries, live action, art-house and animation. A must for film buffs. ‘Cén Fath Gaillimh – Why Galway’, meanwhile, is a film exploring why artists and creative people from all over the world decided to make Galway their home. It includes interviews with four celebrated Galway resident artists: Claire Louise Bennett, Andrew Flynn, Harriet Leander and Joe Boske.

Talks and readings

Coffeewerk and press present ‘Above the Fold’, an evening of inspiring talks on design practice in Ireland, and its impact on Ireland's creative landscape. There’s also a cupping demonstration and some very tasty treats. Come for the culture, stay for the coffee!

At Charlie Byrne’s Bookshop, every Galway author who has had a book published in the past year reads a short selection from their work. Galway Bay FM’s ‘Arts Show’ will broadcast live, with presenter Vinnie Browne conducting live interviews, news, recitals, performances and sessions.

And lots more....

Galway Community Circus is hosting an afternoon of workshops in aerial yoga, hula-hooping, balancing and games, while Merlin Woods: The Night of the Harvest Moon theatre performance takes to the trees, with music, dancing and a fancy dress. Put on your mask and enjoy the feast!