Culture Night is an annual all-island public event that celebrates culture, creativity and the arts. For one night only the island of Ireland, select locations become a free cultural playground. Culture Night has grown from a relatively small scale cultural event staged only in Dublin in 2006 to the significant national cultural event it now is, with some 350,000 people visiting museums, galleries, historic houses, artists’ studios and cultural centres across the country. The initiative has captured both the public imagination and the enthusiasm of artists and cultural organisations.
The Catholic diocese of Limerick has much to celebrate in this regard, and is hosting seven free events in city churches and centres. Mary Immaculate College is also hosting a range of events on campus. All are free and open to the public. So read whats available, plan your evening and go along and celebrate culture and community with Limerick Diocese on Friday, September 16th.
4.00pm, 5.00pm and 6.00pm in Sacred Heart Church
There will be an exhibition of sacred vestments and a guided tour of the Sacred Heart Church, The Crescent, O’Connell St, Limerick at 4.00,5.00 and 6.00pm. There will be an opportunity afterwards to hear a Gregorian chant concert by the resident choir at 8.30pm.
4.00pm and 8.30pm in Saint Michael’s Church
There will be an exhibition and guided tours from 4.00pm of the renovated Saint Michael’s Church in Denmark Street.
This will be followed by a concert of sacred music by Cantate Deo Choir performing both Polish and English hymns from 8.30pm to 9.00pm.
4.00pm – 9.00pm in Social Services Centre, Henry Street, Limerick
In the Arms of Distant Waters: 4-8pm. A reading from the recently launched book, The Letter Under the Pillow by Clare Aherne telling of Limerick women who travelled half-way around the world to become Sisters of St Joseph and work with the needy. A presentation of Art, Craft, Music and Imagery demonstrating the creativity of Limerick’s daughters.
Tell Me a Story – White Book of Limerick: An exhibition featuring the eighteenth-century White Book of Limerick, annals of the city and diocese by Fr James White which tell Limerick’s story from the coming of St Patrick. 5-9pm
The great Limerick historians, Ferrar, Lenihan and Begley draw heavily on this source in their respective histories of the city. Limerick Diocesan Archive seeks to preserve the historic records of Limerick diocese, making them available to the diocese, its people and to researchers as appropriate. Contact: [email protected]
5.00 – 8.00pm in Mary Immaculate College
Mary Immaculate College, MIC is delighted to play host to a number of free events including drama workshops for children aged 8 – 12 years old; Young Soloists’ Concert; traditional music concert; an international fashion and cuisine exhibition; art exhibitions including an exhibition featuring some of the churches around the Limerick region , a special performance from the Brad Pitt Light Orchestra, featuring MIC alumnus Ann and James Blake, who will perform the music of Leonard Cohen, Van Morrison and David Bowie as Gaeilge.
Culture Night in Mary Immaculate College will also feature the music of Composer in Residence Anne-Marie O’Farrell with internationally renowned soprano Colette Delahunt and pianist Carmel Comiskey. Colette is particularly known for her operatic roles with Glyndebourne, Covent Garden and Opera Ireland. Performing in the MIC Chapel the recital will Anne-Marie’s ‘1916 Trilogy: Songs for Ireland’ composed for this centenary year for soprano and harp, along with settings of James Joyce and W.B.Yeats, and a new work for solo piano entitled, ‘A Walk in the Park’.
6.00pm in Saint Saviours, Dominican Church
On Culture night there will be a celebration of 800 years of Dominican life in Saint Saviour’s, Dominican Church in Dominic Street. You can also join the recently arrived Dominican Sisters for a glimpse into their spiritual life between 7.00pm and 8.00pm. They will be speaking about chant, devotion to Our Lady, and invite you to join in their night prayer. Reception to follow.
6.30pm in Saint John’s Cathedral, Limerick
An historic tour of the cathedral will take place on Culture Night and will be followed by a ‘Concert of Organ Favourites’ by cathedral organist Bernadette Kiely. The tour will begin at 6.30pm and will cover the history of the Cathedral and a tour of the principal features including the beautiful stained glass windows.
The concert will follow from 8.30 – 9.00pm. A short recital by cathedral organist Bernadette Kiely, featuring some organ favourites and a surprise (or two)! In association with Limerick Pipe Organ Festival.
For details: [email protected]
7.00pm in Saint Mary’s Parish Church, Corbally
At 7.00pm, church decorator and artist Randall Hodkinson speaks to the work of J. Hodkinson & Sons. The firm, which is carried on in Limerick by Randall, has decorated churches in Limerick, throughout Ireland and also in England and Scotland, for over one hundred and fifty years.
All are welcome to all events.
ENDS
