Date: 11 Sept 2024
Culture Night 2024 in Donegal: A Celebration of Arts, Heritage, and Community
Donegal County Council Culture Division is proud to present its 16th annual programme of events for Culture Night, the all-island public event that celebrates culture, creativity, and the arts. Taking place next Friday, 20th September, Culture Night is “One Night For All” with events taking place across the county.
Commenting on this year’s event, Donegal County Council Arts Officer Traolach Ó Fionnáin said: “As Culture Night 2024 approaches, Donegal is set to host one of its most exciting and inclusive programmes to date. It’s a night where the whole community comes together to celebrate the rich cultural tapestry that makes Donegal so special. This year’s programme has a great selection of in-person events from performance trails and concerts to walking tours and exhibitions happening across the county. There are a host of events to celebrate Oíche Chultúir in our Gaeltacht areas too which you can find online or in the programme. Culture Night is a great night to bring all your friends or family together as all events are completely free to attend and there is something for everyone to enjoy. Please check the programme in advance to find out if booking is necessary for the events you hope to go to.”
Inishowen Carnival’s Critters - A Sculpture and Performance Trail.
In Letterkenny Town Park, Inishowen Carnival will present Critters - A Sculpture and Performance Trail. This captivating event will showcase giant insect-like humanoid characters, illuminated sculptures, and live performances by Fusion Dance Company. The evening’s performances, set for 8:00pm and 9:00pm, will enchant visitors with music, fire, and creativity, as performers explore what life might be like if evolution had taken a different path.
World Culture Open Air Performances
Adjacent to Letterkenny Town Park’s skateboard area, the World Culture Open Air Performances will celebrate Donegal’s multicultural community. Audiences will be treated to dance and music from a range of cultural groups, including African, Ukrainian, Indian, and more, showcasing the rich diversity of people who now call Donegal home.
Turas Úr and Donegal County Museum
In The Workhouse Garden, next to Donegal County Museum on the High Road, Turas Úr Artists Collective will present an illuminated sculpture trail, featuring works by both local and internationally acclaimed artists. Inside the museum, the Peace Heroines of Northern Ireland exhibition will celebrate the contributions of women to the Northern Irish peace process. This inspiring exhibition honours figures like Bernadette Devlin-McAliskey and Dr. Mo Mowlam, shedding light on their pivotal roles in bridging divides during a time of conflict.
Regional Cultural Centre (RCC)
The RCC will launch several exhibitions on Culture Night. Cara Donaghey, a visual artist from Buncrana, presents The Evening has An Underneath, a reflective exploration of digital archives and internet nostalgia, while Paul Murray’s Disruption offers striking geometric abstract patterns. Sculptor Sarah Lewtas’ The Undertow delves into forgotten landscapes, evoking memories through installation and sculpture.
Choral Music and Orchestra
For music lovers, the RCC’s Evening of Choral Music will bring together four choirs, offering an unforgettable night of powerful voices in harmony. In St. Eunan’s Cathedral, The Conwal Singers and guest choirs will fill the air with reflective choral music from the likes of Mozart and Rutter. Meanwhile, Letterkenny’s Conwal Parish Church will welcome the Donegal Chamber Orchestra for a classical concert, featuring works by Purcell, Vivaldi, and Fauré.
An Grianán Theatre
An Grianán Theatre will host a Ukulele Workshop for beginners of all ages, followed by the Culture Connects International Cabaret, a vibrant evening of theatre, music, and dance, featuring performances by Donegal-based artists from across the globe.
Main Street Bears
Letterkenny’s Main Street will offer an interactive and fun activity for families with the Main Street Bears project. Twenty unique ceramic bears, each designed by a Donegal artist, will be hidden in shop windows along the street, with visitors invited to spot them all.
Music and Dance in the Heart of Letterkenny
The Central Library will host the Ukrainian ensemble Sunflowers, whose musical performance will be accompanied by poetry readings, while the ZoNa Dance Company will celebrate its 10th Culture Night with a showcase of innovative choreography at their studio on Canal Road.
Donegal Town and Inishowen Events
Donegal Town will also join the celebration, with the Donegal Railway Museum offering extended hours for visitors to explore its exhibits, including interactive displays and the famous Donegal Steam Engine, Drumboe. In Inishowen, The Exchange Buncrana will hold a poignant evening of writing, music, and poetry in response to the suffering in Gaza, while Artlink at Fort Dunree will open The Whispering Sea, an exhibition by Indian artist Arijit Bhattacharyya, exploring themes of community, resistance, and cultural dialogue.
Other events in this year’s programme include music at The Loft Gig Night, an evening of storytelling and music at "An Chluas Éisteachta” with Líonra Leitir Ceanainn, Love Cats in The Cottage Bar, and a talk on traditional shop fronts and signage at Ernest Speer’s Store, while Balor Rep will present The Wife, Her Cat and All The Other Stuff at Dillon’s Hotel, Letterkenny.
For more information on the full programme, visit www.culturenight.ie/donegal
