Batman will be visible on the GPO and the Incredible Hulk will be charging down O'Connell Street in the capital next month - but they will be visible only to those with the right technology.
The cartoon giants are part of the first "augmented reality" exhibitions in Ireland and will be screened on Culture Night, the annual evening of free culture which takes place this year in 30 towns and cities across the island of Ireland, on Friday September 23rd.
The cartoon heroes will be available to those using the Augmented Reality Layar app, free to download on a smartphone. The Spire on O'Connell Street will look no different to the naked eye but smartphone users will be able to see figures running up and down the icon.
An augmented reality exhibition "among giants" can also be seen in the courtyard of Collins Barracks, another of the unusual events on September 23rd, when virtually every cultural and heritage event and location is free until 11 pm.
Other highlights of the thousands of events involved, include free tours of Windmill studios in Dublin, which is involved for the first time in the festival, Arab jazz night at the Chester Beatty Library at Dublin castle, a food and craft market at Cork's county hall, life drawing classes at the Bourn Vincent Gallery in Limerick, a special night of dance at the Grain store, Ballymaloe, Co Cork and an evening of music at Scoil Acla bunnacurry on Achill island, Co Mayo.
Culture night or Oiche Chultúir will also be taking place in Gaeltacht areas with events taking place in Kerry, Connemara and Donegal including a special concert by John Spillane in Gweedore, and a "King of Tory" celebration night on the island to celebrate its unique musical heritage
Since its inauguration in 2006 as a Dublin occasion, the festival has grown into a national night of culture with live music, drama, poetry and dance performances, workshops, gallery tours and exhibitions from Dublin to Galway, Belfast to Derry, Cork to Donegal and counties in between.
Launching the festival today at Dublin Castle, Minister for Arts Jimmy Deenihan said it was "one of the highlights of Ireland's cultural events calendar".
His department will provide €200,000 in funding towards the all-Ireland event.
Mr Deenihan said the festival provided a "wonderful opportunity to experience the creative culture that is on our doorstep and also freely available for this one night in the year".
Dermot McLaughlin, chief executive of the Temple Bar Cultural Trust which started the first culture night in Dublin in 2006 said that while many cultural organisations had received a "jolt" this year with the downturn, "the culture night programme is clear evidence that people and communities can adapt with resilience, imagination and ambition".
He said that "almost any cultural venue you can think of is open for free on culture night. It's a fantastic opportunity to introduce young people to the world of culture because every diverse form is showcased in the best possible light."
Politics also has its place on culture night and the gates of Leinster House will also be opened to visitors for guided tours of the Dáil and Seanad with musical entertainment also provided.
Since the Houses of the Oireachtas got involved in culture night three years ago 5,000 people have visited Leinster House on the designated night.
It is, however, a ticketed event and reservations can be made at lo-call number 1890 252 808 or oireachtasevents.ie.
Further information and details about events can be found at a number of websites including culturenight.ie, ealain.ie, culturekerry.com, southtipparts.ie, laois.ie, limerickcity.ie and corkcity.ie/culturenight.
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