Culture Night 2009

Thursday 24th September 2009

Only 1 day to go

Now is your chance to see all sorts as Limerick is throwing open the doors of its cultural venues to the public for FREE. The city is celebrating its rich arts and cultural life with a programme of events for Culture Night 2009.

Museums, galleries, theatres, castles and other venues throughout the city will host free cultural events for members of the public to enjoy late into the evening of Friday, September 25th.

This is the second year Limerick is participating in this national event and new comers to the Limerick programme this year include Limerick School of Art & Design, Thomond Park Museum and Wickham Street Artists’ Studios.

Speaking at the launch today at the Limerick Printmakers, City Arts Officer, Sheila Deegan, said 15 organisations throughout Limerick are involved and all the locations are quite close to each other.

“You can walk the walls of Limerick at 5pm, then go to King John’ Castle and hear about the history, go to the Printmakers and print a t-shirt or see either a play for free at Belltable or visit  the Museum in Thomond Park,” she said.” We are delighted to have cultural street ambassadors for the night, look out for them and they will point you in the direct you to see all sorts.

Cllr Tom Shortt who launched Culture Night, Limerick today said he hopes people will take the opportunity to get the most out of the events that have been organised.

“It is important to recognise what is in our doorstep and to appreciate our heritage and our culture. Often it is hard to find the time to support and enjoy the artists and organisations in the City but and Culture Night is the time to go out there and share in the rich and diverse culture that exists here in Limerik. ”

• Walks of the old Walls of Limerick at King John’s Castle start at 5pm and take approximately one and a half to two hours.
• The Hunt Museum, The Georgian House and Garden, Pery Square, King John’s Castle and Limerick City Museum will all open free to the public until 10pm.
• There will be traditional Irish music at Conradh na Gaeilge in Thomas Street from 5pm-10pm and of course the traditional "cupán tae" will be provided
• Daghdha Dance Company invite everyone to visit their space in the stunning surrounds of John of the Cross church in John’s Square and will include fun hour of contemporary dance for all the family
• At Limerick Printmakers, bring your own T-Shirt; get it printed, or try it yourself
• See the Sean Keating in Focus exhibition for free at The Hunt Museum
• Visit the Museum in Thomond Park
• Speak to artists in their studios in Contact Studios and Wickham street studios
• Meet the Authors at Limerick City Library
• See inside the recently renovated Limerick School of Art & Design

Culture Night was first launched in Dublin in 2006 by Temple Bar Cultural Trust. The aim was to organise an event that would provide a new and imaginative way for people of all ages and from all backgrounds to access and enjoy the rich cultural offering of the country’s cultural venues.  A brand new Culture Night logo ‘See All Sorts’, designed by Maeve Keane from DIT, Mountjoy Square, illustrates the diverse mix of culture that visitors can expect to experience on the night

Culture Night Limerick is funded by Limerick City Council, the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism and supported by Temple Bar Cultural Trust.

For further information, please contact Sheila Deegan, at the City Arts Office on 061-407421 / 407363 or visit www.limerickcity.ie