Longford’s biggest ever Culture Night 2021

Events taking place right across the county on Friday 17 September

13 September 2021

County Longford is shaping up for one of the biggest nights of cultural events ever held in the county. In total, ten separate events will take place on Friday 17 September. And it’s all as the county basks in the afterglow of hosting 50 Longford Live & Local music concerts over the last two to three months. This Friday, Culture Night 2021 is set to be marked in Granard, Ballymahon, Edgeworthstown and Longford town. The theme of this year’s National culture night is ‘COME TOGETHER AGAIN’ clearly referencing the recent scaling back of COVID-19 public health restrictions and the desire of a nation to re-connect and celebrate.

Culture Night / Oíche Chultúir is described as a national moment, celebrating all that makes up the richness
and diversity of Culture in Ireland today, connecting people to cultural activities locally and nationally. It also aims to open up pathways to ongoing engagement.

An annual, all-island public event which takes place each year on the third Friday of September, Culture Night / Oíche Chultúir celebrates culture, creativity and the arts and seeks to actively promote the belief that this rich and varied culture is alive, treasured and nurtured in people’s lives, today and every day. Special and unique events and workshops are specifically programmed at participating locations and, thanks to the continued support of the Arts Council and local Authorities across the island of Ireland, all activities are made available to the public free of charge.

In Longford this year free events open to the public include visual art installations, studio exhibitions, recitals and readings by local writers and poets, and music concerts catering for fans of classical, trad and world music.

Events will be held in line with all current public health guidelines. For further details on locations, times, bookings and COVID-19 guidelines please see details below or go to www.culturenight.ie/events/offline and select ‘Longford’.

Culture Night in County Longford is funded by the Arts Council in partnership with Longford County Council Arts Office and coordinated by Republic of Culture Ltd.

ENDS

All media queries should be directed to Longford County Council Communications Officer Denise Canavan on mediaenquiries@longfordcoco.ie or 043 33 43362.

Further information on Culture Night 2021

When is Culture Night?
The sixteenth edition of Culture Night will take place on Friday 17 September 2021.

What is Culture Night?
Culture Night / Oíche Chultúir is brought to you by the Arts Council; it is a national moment, celebrating all that makes up the richness and diversity of culture in Ireland today, connecting people to cultural activities locally and nationally and aims to open up pathways to ongoing engagement. Culture Night / Oíche Chultúir celebrates culture, creativity and the arts and seeks to actively promote the belief that this rich and varied culture is alive, treasured and nurtured in people’s lives, today and every day. Doors are opened late and special and unique events are specifically programmed at participating locations and, thanks to the continued support of the Arts Council and Local Authorities across the island of Ireland, all activities are made available to the public free of charge. Further information may be found on www.culturenight.ie

Details of events taking place on Culture Night around County Longford:

What: Culture Night at the Maria Edgeworth Centre
Opening evening of the interactive history tour at the Maria Edgeworth Centre – wander through our exhibition and enjoy live performances. Proof of full vaccination necessary. No admission charges.
When: 7.30pm - 10pm
Genres: Heritage / History / Literature / Live Demo / Museum / Tour
Features: Family friendly
Where: Ballymahon Road, Edgeworthstown, Co. Longford, N39 E3C8
Website:http://www.mariaedgeworthcenter.com
Phone: +353 43 667 1801

What: In Between Breakdowns at Granard Library
Join us at Granard Library for the unveiling of In Between Breakdowns, an art installation by Mullinalaghta based artist – Tommie Cunningham. There will also be a music session to accompany the exhibition with music by Strad and the John Dungun CCE Branch.
When: 7.30pm - 8.30pm
Genres: Food / Music / Visual Art
Features: Family friendly / Wheelchair accessible
Where: Granard Library Barracks Street, Granard, Longford.
Website:http://longford.ie/en/events/
Phone: (043) 668 6164

What: Music Concert at St Mel's Cathedral
Join us in the beautiful St Mel’s Cathedral, Longford for some of the best singers in Longford! Carlow-born tenor Paul Hennessy; Longford’s own classical cross over soprano Emer Barry of Affiniti; recent graduate of the DIT Conservatory of music and drama Maria Matthews, and Longford’s ultimate music director, pianist and organist and choir master Fintan Farrelly.
When: 7.30pm - 8.45pm
Genres: Music
Features: Family friendly / Wheelchair accessible
Where: St Mel's Cathedral, Longford town.
Website:http://longford.ie/en/events/
Phone: 086 8517595

What: The African Music Carnival in Connolly Barracks
John Asiemo, popularly known as Daddy Showkey, tops the bill on what will be Longford’s first ever dedicated African Music Carnival. Daddy Showkey will be supported by emerging music prodigies Ama Millieir and ND+. Daddy Showkey performs in the galala music tradition – a dance and music form made popular by afro-reggae musicians in Lagos, Nigeria in the 1990s. Now living in Ireland and performing throughout Europe with his band, Daddy Showkey is performing in Ireland for the first time. Daddy Showkey is ably supported by Ama Millieir. Nigerian born and Irish raised, Ama is a Hip Hop artist from Longford Town. He is an up and coming Independent artist who has been gaining popularity and a reputation in the Irish music scene as being an exceptionally talented singer/songwriter and rapper. In 2017 Ama released his first EP “Just A Moment” which solidified him in the Irish music scene. Ama has been working diligently over the past number of years on developing his art in creating a new sound in R&B/Pop/Hip Hop.
When: 8pm - 10pm
Genres: Music
Facilities: Café
Features: Family friendly / Wheelchair accessible
Where: Connolly Barracks, Longford Town
Website:www.eventbrite.ie/e/167329405757
Phone: 086 8517595

What: Sound Harvest at Jolly Boys, Ballymahon
Sound Harvest is a unique collaboration between musicians and poets curated by Poet Anne Tully and Musician Shane Kennedy. Poets select a piece of writing and work with a musician to develop a performance piece involving both soundscapes and the poet’s voice. The finished works will be performed by poets and musicians in the beautiful surroundings of The Jolly Boy’s outdoor garden restaurant in Ballymahon. Join us for some food, poetry and music.
When: 7.30pm - 8.30pm
Genres: Music / Poetry
Facilities: Restaurant
Features: Family friendly / Wheelchair accessible
Where: Main Street, Ballymahon, Co. Longford, N39 FY51
Phone: 086-8517595

What: The Pen and Ink - Longford Link at Coffee House 45, Longford
Longford Writers Group re-unites for an evening of readings, music and food. Join us in Coffee House 45 to celebrate Culture night. For the first time in 18 months writers from Longford will meet up and share their work, thoughts and feelings on everything that has happened since last we met. The event takes place to coincide with Coffee House 45’s Tapas and Wine night. Music will be supplied by the marvellous Laura Jo Callaghan.
When: 8.30pm - 9:30pm
Genres: Food / Literature / Music
Facilities: Café
Features: Family friendly / Wheelchair accessible
Where: Coffee House 45, Dublin St, Longford
Website:www.eventbrite.ie/e/longford-writers-group-tickets-168393374115
Phone: 087-9445463