Culture Night in a nutshell
Dublin has so many hidden gems on offer, and often the locals, myself included tend to over look all the history and architecture on display. There’s no better time or excuse to get a sneak peek behind the doors of many of the historical buildings, theatres, events spaces, galleries and cultural institutions than on Culture Night.
An evening where the city can display its vibrant diversity at its very best for tourists and locals alike. However with so many things on offer and the night itself has grown in popularity over the years it can be tricky to get around the city and to avoid lengthy ques into popular events. We’ve complied our top ten list of things to see this culture night and a few tips to beat the crowds and maneuver across town to get the most out of your culture night this year.
Christ Church Cathedral (The Historic Quarter)
I’m ashamed to say I’ve never set foot in Christ church, but I’m sure I’m not the only one. A majestic building on the junction between High street and the top of Dame street. This culture night they will be offering walks around the building the grounds and the crypts. With storytelling from the nightmare club in the crypt and a silent film screening accompanied by organist. This event kicks off at 6pm, best to grab a coffee in peacock green up the road and be there 30 mins in advance as this a popular tourist destination.
TOG / Warehouse Unit C Chancery Lane Dublin 8 (Historic Quarter)
Next on the list is TOG, only up the road from Christchurch, a curious hub for hacker and maker culture in Dublin. Will be offering people tours of the space as well as workshops to help you start hacking your own world better, sounds like this could be an interesting discovery into the work of DIY culture. Kicking off at 5pm this event strikes me as being quite a fringe experience and a little off the beaten track but worth a look see if your in the area.
The Gaiety School of acting/ Essex Street West Temple Bar (Temple bar)
Making our way across town into Temple Bar, for those of you who have ever been interested in the performing arts but perhaps couldn’t pep up enough courage to ever take a class. Why not jump into the deep end at the Gaiety School of Acting and try one of their free workshops on the hour every hour from 5 onwards. We can only image this will be quite busy so be sure to get there a little bit in advance to the time you a looking to take your workshop.
Mount Joy Square Society (The Georgian Quarter)
This looks like a very special event that I am hoping to make over to in time as places are limited. If you’re an aficionado of Georgian architecture and history then Mount Joy Square is the place to be this culture night. Offering a traditional drawing room party experience where participants will sing songs, recite poetry or simple have a nice time with light refreshments. Meeting at 54 mount joy square for the full tour, if your on a tight schedule for the night with plenty to see this might be too time consuming of an event as it kicks off at 7pm and finishes at 9pm.
The Dublin Buddhist Centre/ Unit 5 Liberty Corner, James Joyce street, D1 (Trinity College & Docklands)
If your looking for a little more inner peace in your life, why not create your own zen moment at this years culture night at the Dublin Buddhist centre. Take a chill pill amongst the madness with intro to yoga from 4pm, intro to meditation from 5/6/7 talks on Buddhism and western culture at 8pm and 9pm and a mantra chanting experience from 10pm. Be sure to get to any of the programmed events you are looking to participate in with room to spare about 20min-30min as we can image this will be quite popular.
The Old Library & The Book of Kells Trinity college (Trinity College & Docklands)
Another beautiful location and exhibition that is often taken for granted by us local Dubliners but is usually the first port of call for visitors. The tour around the Brian Boru exhibition, the old library and book of kells takes place at 5pm. Why not take the chance to see a national treasure for free, be prepared to wait about 40 mins in advance.
Freemasons Hall/ 17 Molesworth street D2 (South Georgian Quarter)
Every been a bit curious about secret society’s and the Freemasons place in old Irish society. I’m looking forward to being able to walk the halls of the old Freemason halls on culture night with a special performance from the national youth orchestra of Ireland. Starts at 5pm-10pm. A Victorian gem in Irish architecture.
The National Concert Hall/ Earlsfort Terrace D2. (South Georgian Quarter)
Looking to try your hand at bronze instruments? At the national concert hall they will be hosting hands on music work shops introducing guests to Indonesian Gaelan orchestra. You can play on a selection of bronze instruments xylophones, suspended gongs, and drums and will be mesmerized in the rich sound they produce 45 minute sessions. Being offered at 6.30/7.30/8.30/9.30pm Be sure to arrive about 20-30 mins early for your desired session time.
Dance Ireland/ Dance House Foley street, Dublin 1 (Trinity College & Docklands)
I’m always huge fans of taster classes in anything, it gives you just enough time to see if you could have a potential passion for something. I also love to dance, who doesn’t. Dance Ireland will be offering free taster classes in a variety of dance styles. With exhibition on show on the night. Starts at 6pm.
The Complex/ Smithfeild Square Dublin 7 (Museum Quarter)
If your looking for a more relaxed way to spend your culture night evening why not give the drive in cinema in Smithfeild Square a try. The evening will be provided by the complex and DCC they will be showing “The Mission” and Whatever happened to baby Jane.” Starting at7pm be sure to get down early to secure a good spot.
Culture night is great chance for culture vultures to get their fill, for visitors to see the sights and locals to rediscover and possibly re-ignite their love affair with this fair auld city. With plenty on offer I’m sure you’ll have a ball of an evening.
Happy Hunting.
Words: SBK FOX