Celebrate Culture Night in Kildare

Culture Night will take place on Friday, September 22 2023 from 4pm ‘til late with over 70 free events around the county.

Celebrating its eighteeth birthday, Culture Night shines a light on all aspects of culture, creativity and the arts, when events are presented free of charge in this ‘One Night For All’.

Once again, venues throw their doors open and we all come together for a shared experience to enjoy the pleasure and rewards culture and the arts bring to us all.

In Kildare, each year thousands of individuals and groups participate in Culture Night the length and breadth of the county.
This year promises to be no exception. Over the last few months, Kildare County Council Arts Service has welcomed proposals for exciting and ambitious projects from individuals and groups eager to share their talent, culture, creativity and interests.

As a result of their enthusiasm and hard work, the Culture Night Kildare 2023 programme is a jam-packed one.
Whether your interests lie in music, art, dance, local history, biodiversity, theatre, cuisine, craft, walking or heritage you can be sure that Culture Night Kildare has something for you.

2023 Highlights
Take to the streets on Culture Night
Why not stretch your legs with one of our outdoor events! Enjoy a sunset stroll along the Liffey in Linear Park with Kildare Bat Group and learn about the secret lives of these noctural mammals.

Uncover the history of the village of Kill during a walking tour with Kill Local History Group. Whet your appetite for culture and cuisine with Women’s Integrated Network Athy who will cook up a delicious storm featuring varied specialties (stories, food, drink and beverages) from across the world (Emily Square, Athy).

When in Athy, look out for Moon Forde’s ‘Herald Advertising’ as they herald Culture Night events taking place in the town alongside the reading of literary passages and poems.

Don’t miss the bus! Discover more about the art of North Kildare that surrounds your daily life on the Public Art Bus Tour with Rina Whyte, public art specialist.

If it’s music you are looking for, Speak Up Sing Out Music School will host ‘Live in the Garden’, a pop-up” variety show for all ages in Kilcock Community Garden.

Why not head to Maynooth Square for fun-filled evening of music with St Mary’s Brass & Reed Band or enjoy the Clondalkin Youth Band perform in the picturesque setting of Castletown House?

If you fancy some electronic sounds, head to Garter Lane in Athy where DJ Ray Hickey and young aspiring creatives respond to the lane’s new mural by launching a new soundscape.

Need some drama in your life
For those fancying a unique ‘backstage experience’, book your ticket for ‘PLAY’ an immersive promenade play by Darn Skippy Productions, directed by Lianne O’Shea, promising to have you exploring various hidden parts of The Moat Theatre, Naas.
Wrap up warm for ‘Antigone - a Play’ which sees young people from Straffan Drama Club present their version of the well-known drama at the raised entrance to Maynooth Castle.

Down at Heel Productions present ‘They Also Serve…’, a madcap, theatrical voyage through the life of Kildare rebel John Devoy in Tea Lane Graveyard.

In Ballitore, Griese Youth Theatre investigates superstition and our relationships to them in ‘Watch Over Us’.

Get crafty on Culture Night
Culture Night showcases the wealth of artistic and creative talent in Kildare and many of the artists generously offer to share their skills in a variety of workshops.

Those interested in trying their hand at some free arts and crafts lessons could try ‘Needle-felting a Kildare Landscape’ with Constance Seymour (Castledermot Community Centre), ‘Weaving from Nature/ Ag Fí ó Nádúr’ with Monica de Bath (Rathangan Library), ‘Athchursáil agus Priontáil/ Recycle and Print’, a workshop on sustainable printing with Pamela de Brí (Kildare Library).

In Kildare Cathedral, get inspired by its medieval architecture and create a clay tile to take home as a souvenir. If you are unable to attend a Culture Night event in person, just grab your pencils, paint and paper and join Laura Barry for a live online art lesson.

For younger culture lovers

Culture Night provides fun for all the family! Why not join German storyteller Simone Schuemmelfelder for storytelling and puppetry in Maynooth Library. Or even make your own puppets in Aideen Cross’ fun finger puppet workshop in Rathangan. In Kildare Heritage Centre, enjoy ‘Family Story Time’, a multilingual evening of stories about St. Brigid in English, Irish and Italian.

For budding musicians, Music Generation Kildare will host a series of events in Naas Further Education and Training Centre for all ages: Early Years Music Workshop (3-6 years old), Drum Kit Workshop (7-12 years old) and a GarageBand Workshop (13-18 years old) With over 70 free events, don’t miss out on Kildare’s Culture Night celebrations. Culture Night Kildare, Friday 22 September 2023, 4pm ‘til late. To plan your trail of events, visit culturenight.ie/kildare or pick up a Culture Night Kildare brochure in locations countywide.

To avoid disppointment please check with the venue/event organiser if booking is required.