Culture Night will take place tonight in cities and towns across 11 counties nationwide. Below we feature some of the highlights, but full details of events in each area are available at culturenight.ieor by phoning 01-8883610. Opening and closing times vary, and the event runs until midnight.
KERRY
Dancing in the street in Tralee
: between 7pm and 11pm on Denny Street, there will be an attempt to challenge the Guinness world record for the largest Irish dance in history. The record is currently held by Dublin, Ohio, and more than 10,000 dancers are needed to break the record. Organisers are encouraging dancers from all over Munster to turn up and participate. For details, and to register, see culturetralee.com.
ROSCOMMON
Living-room céilís: six members of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann (CCE) will host céilís in their own living rooms in various branch areas in Roscommon this evening. For information on locations and booking, contact CCE branch members in Strokestown/Elphin, Keadue, Castlerea, Athleague, Ballaghaderreen and Roscommon Town (phone numbers listed on the culturenight.ie website).
MAYO
Sing for your supper:at the Linenhall Arts Centre in Castlebar, between 6pm and 10pm, guests will be asked to sing a song in return for free tea, coffee or a glass of wine. Workshops will also be running, suitable for all the family, throughout the evening at 15-minute intervals.
LIMERICK
Walk the walls:meeting at King John's Castle at 5pm, participants on this walk, led by Brian Hodkinson, assistant curator at Limerick City Museum, will explore the 13 existing stretches of the remaining city walls. The walk takes approximately 90 minutes.
CORK
Cork Civic Trust House: a host of events take place at the headquarters for many local arts companies, including offerings from Corcadorca, readings from Shirley McClure, locally produced films from Cork Film Centre and music by Cork Chamber Choir. Children's events begin at midday, with the rest of the programme running through the evening. A parlour party begins at 11pm.
Water culture:join Meitheal Mara's Pádraig Ó Duinnín on a walkabout associated with the places and stories of the families who fished for a living in Cork's city centre. It begins at 5.30pm outside City Hall, and pre-booking is essential (021-4925333, corkcity.ie/culturenight).
DONEGAL
L etterkenny Railway Exhibition: the Donegal County Museum hosts this event detailing the story of railways in Donegal and Northern Ireland. The event will also feature live "music to watch trains by" from the Stubble Brothers bluegrass and country band. Runs from 6pm to 10pm, with music from 7.30pm. Booking: 074-9124613
An Cosán Glas from 6pm to 10pm, this is a recreation of the successful Cosán Glas(Green Path) trail of temporary sculptural works relocated, for one night only, from their usual environment on the Machaire Rabhartaigh sand dunes to Letterkenny Town Park.
WEXFORD
The illumination of Wexford Opera House: described as a spectacular lighting feature, this will consist of 16 Led floodlight units on the fly tower of the opera house changing colour according to changes in wind activity. The best viewing point will be on the Riverbank House Hotel side of Wexford Bridge and the event is due to start at 10.45pm.
Mummers mumming: this is a unique performance of a play composed at the beginning of the 20th century and enjoying a close affinity with Wexford. The highlight of the performance, featuring mummers from Screen and Curracloe, is an intricate sword dance between 12 players with wooden swords. It takes place at 8pm in the Dun Mhuire Theatre on South Main Street, as part of a céilí.
SLIGO
The Dress-Up Boxat Tobergal Lane Cafe between 6pm and 7pm and again during Rockwood Parade, from 9.30pm. Participants are encouraged to pick from a dress-up box and strike a pose, while artist Ciara Layden does their portrait. The pictures will then appear in an outdoor projection at Hyde Bridge/ Rockwood Parade from 9.30pm, with words from Yeats's poems.
WATERFORD
The Artmobile: a specially appointed culture bus leaves Greyfriars Gallery at 6.45pm, featuring new sounds of Waterford plus poetry and readings en route. The bus will cover all the major stop-off points for arts events throughout the evening.
GALWAY
Extract from An Táin: between 6pm and 7pm, Earwig Arts, a Tuam community arts and theatre group, launch Culture Night in Galway. Two large metal bull sculptures will lead the parade, bringing the spirit of Queen Maeve to the city streets. The event starts in Eyre Square and moves through Shop Street with a host of performers and artists joining in.
DUBLIN
Night at the Museum:a mixture of the living and the dead from the animal kingdom will convene at the National Museum in Collins Barracks between 6pm and 9pm. The Natural History Museum is bringing along a collection of stuffed animals, while Dublin Zoo will have real animals to hand, notably a Burmese python.
House of the Dead:the James Joyce House of the Dead on Usher's Island is hosting a night of storytelling from 7pm until midnight. The event is open to all, from seasoned to amateur writers.
Croke Park:the GAA Museum has floodlit tours of the stadium at 6.30pm, 7.30pm and 8.30pm, while children will be kept busy with art activities. Booking is essential on 01-8193261 or crokepark.ie.
