Oíche Chultúir returns!
This Friday 18th September, Donegal County Council Culture Division is proud to present their 12th annual programme of events for Culture Night, the all-island public event that celebrates culture, creativity and the arts.
We invite people of all ages to take time out to explore the richness and joy of Irish culture and heritage. In response to the restrictions posed by the on-going Covid 19 pandemic, this year’s programme will be presented in both physical and online events allowing for people at home and abroad to connect with Donegal culture.
We are delighted that the inimitable Donegal playwright, performer and musician Little John Nee represents us as our county Ambassador for 2020. He had this to say about his role.
“I am happy for this opportunity to do what I love doing; celebrating Donegal artists and the beautiful odd way we go about things in this beautiful odd place”.
Highlights of events from the Donegal programme include:
Although we have had to reimagine the event for this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we have still been able to work with many of our venues artists and programmers to create a programme that combines online and safe offline activities, on Friday 18th of September!
Here are just a few of the Online events.
Biodiversity in Your Back Garden
For Culture Night, Donegal County Council’s Culture Division has commissioned a series of short videos of ways in which you can care for the nature on your doorstep or the biodiversity in your back garden. Featured local gardens and experts include Liz and Ralph Sheppard on their farm at Carnowen House, Raphoe; Elizabeth Temple at Salthill Gardens, Mountcharles; George McDermot, Buncrana Town Gardener; Joanne Butler at OURganic, Gort a’ Choirce and Angus Kennedy of Nature North West, Ramelton.
Mockingbird Theatre
Featuring Anne Gallagher and Ronan Carr, Mockingbird Theatre presents a short (back and sideways) film – The Final Cut – about two barbers who reunite for one last haircut during the Lockdown Crisis – proving that we are never truly apart from the one we love. Written and directed by Ronan Carr
Where I’m From
A short piece documenting this transatlantic youth writers workshop facilitated by Donegal County Council Cultural Services who worked with Chicago based Young Chicago Authors (YCA) and young people from Donegal Youth Service, the KidsOwn young writers group and young people from the YCA summer artistic internship program.
2020 Live Offline events include
Donegal County Museum present the ‘Railways of County Donegal’ exhibition
Which features the photographs of A M Davies, who travelled the lines around County Donegal during the 1950’s and 1960’s.
The Regional Cultural Centre’s current exhibition on plastics – Can’t Live With It, Can’t Live Without It – will feature newly created artworks by Ed Devane, as well as an exhibition of new work by painter Liz Doyle and Wild Swans: ‘Forgotten Places’ Online Exhibition. They will also screen the RCC Sessions, a Late night music broadcaster where Paul McDevitt and Jimmy Stafford curate a selection of specially filmed live sets by a host of their local favourites. Featuring Maria McCormack, Jonathan Smeaton, Sheerbuzz, Mark Black and Without Willow.
An Grianán Theatre are pleased to host the first performances of a new comic drama by Louise Conaghan – The Morrigan – while the Central Library presents Jessica Harkin’s Family Magic Show as well as a series of special guided tours of the Library’s unique Donegal Studies section.
Full Programme and Information
This, however, is only a taste of what’s on offer. To get the full programme and all booking details, please log onto www.culturenight.ie and select the programme for Donegal.
Further information contact Sally Murphy, Murphy Communications on 0871476339.
Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook @CulturenightDonegal
Culture Night is brought to you by The Arts Council in partnership with Donegal County Council
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