Cork County Libraries Open Doors for Culture Night 2025 This Friday

Culture Night returns this Friday, 19th September, with Cork County libraries hosting free events from art workshops to live music performances across the county. The annual celebration of Irish culture will see libraries in Bandon, Kinsale, Macroom and beyond welcoming families for an evening of creativity and entertainment.

Cork County Council libraries are embracing Culture Night 2025 with an impressive programme spanning crafts, musical performances, poetry readings and exhibitions. The events, all free to attend, begin from 4pm at various locations across the county.

In Bandon, The Shruggs will perform from 6pm to 8pm, whilst families can enjoy children's storytime and crafts from 5.30pm. The library will also host an art workshop for teenagers with Deirdre Patwell and conclude the evening with their movie club.

Kinsale Library offers multiple events, including a poetry reading with Matthew Gedden and a music performance with Fiona Tierney. Art workshops cater for both children and adults, with Anne McManamon leading sessions throughout the evening.

Traditional Irish culture features prominently at Leabharlann Baile Bhuirne, where Pauline Garcia will perform from 6.30pm, whilst Macroom Library hosts Aghinagh Comhaltas Community Session alongside community poetry voices.

Literary enthusiasts can attend author Anya Bergman's discussion of her novel "The Tarot Reader of Versailles" at Bantry Library, or experience bilingual drama for young children at Carrigaline Library with Cois Laoi Productions.

Several libraries focus on visual arts, with Charleville Library displaying "Fields of Gold", a photographic exhibition celebrating the town's agricultural heritage, and Clonakilty Library featuring an Irish Wheelchair Association ceramics exhibition.

Skibbereen Library presents a unique offering with "The Whistling Balladeer", where Breda Cooney combines traditional Irish ballads, storytelling and mouth whistling. The library will also display "Meet Me At The Lamp(p)ost", a photographic exhibition by Laura Noonan and Tara Mary Paget.

Music workshops feature at several venues, with Ruti Lachs leading sessions in Clonakilty for both children and families, whilst Lady Fi hosts all-ages singing workshops in Fermoy.

The celebrations extend beyond Cork, with Office of Public Works heritage sites nationwide participating in Culture Night. Historical venues including Derrynane House in Kerry and Boyle Abbey in Roscommon will offer special tours and performances.

Rosemary Collier, Head of Heritage Services & Capital Works Delivery: "It is fantastic to see such a wide variety of events taking place across the country this Culture Night. A number of OPW Heritage sites will stay open late to allow visitors experience Ireland's history through these free events."

Culture Night, organised by the Arts Council in partnership with Cork County Council Library & Arts Service, encourages early arrival as some popular events may require booking. Contact details for all branch libraries are available through Cork County Council's website.

The national celebration aims to be inclusive and accessible whilst showcasing Ireland's creativity, innovation and heritage. From twilight tours at military fortresses to traditional music performances at historic castles, the programme offers diverse cultural experiences across the country.

Most Cork County library events begin at 4pm and continue until 8pm or 9pm, with exhibitions running throughout library opening hours. Families planning their evening should check individual venue requirements, particularly for workshops with limited capacity.

Culture Night demonstrates the vital role libraries play in community cultural life, transforming reading spaces into creative hubs for one special evening each year.