Office of Public Works Celebrates Culture Night 2020

The Office of Public Works (OPW), is proud to once again participate in the annual, all-island Culture Night on Friday 18th September. Culture Night is a timely celebration of Ireland’s creativity and will give the public a chance to take part in a diverse programme of events available online and at OPW properties across Ireland.

The past few months has seen a surge of interest in domestic travel and through this year’s Culture Night theme, ‘Connect through Culture,’ the OPW is encouraging the public to enjoy the wonderful places available to them on their doorstep and also from the comfort of their own home. Now in its 15th year, Culture Night is driven by the determination of Irish cultural organisations and artists alike, with this year’s event reimagined to include a host of engaging digital experiences for all the family.

The full programme of OPW events is available to view at heritageireland.ie and visitors are encouraged to check availability in advance.

Commenting on the importance of the public enjoying our nations culture, Mr. Patrick O’Donovan, T.D., Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works (OPW) said,

It is the job of the OPW as the proud custodians of the nation’s patrimony and culture to help bring our cherished sites to life through the stories associated with them and through national events like Culture Night 2020. Community and a sense of belonging is at the heart of heritage and cultural organisations. Culture Night gives people the opportunity to reconnect with their local cultural facilities, and more importantly with their communities.

Announcing details of the range of OPW programmes and events running nationwide, OPW Chairman, Maurice Buckley said,

At the OPW we want to support and encourage the public to enjoy and discover new cultural experiences. 2020 has been difficult for the creative and cultural community and we hope that Culture Night will be a part of our path to celebrate and return to culture in a new, inclusive, exciting, and reimagined way! Our OPW staff across the country have developed fantastic in-person and online resources for all ages and interests and we hope you will join us as we strive to make this a memorable day for you.

-ENDS-

Notes to the editor

Measures taken at the sites will be in place in accordance with Government public health guidelines, with visitors encouraged to follow advice on social distancing and the wearing of face coverings. For a safe & pleasant experience for all we are asking that visitors coming to our in-person events in pods stay together when indoors and that children are supervised at all time.

For any queries in relation to visiting any OPW site please visit heritageireland.ie or email pressoffice@opw.ie

Event Details

Some of the captivating and engaging events the OPW has planned nationwide in connection with Culture Night 2020 include:

In Dublin Castle, the public will be able to explore the iconic and historic Castle for free at their own pace as the doors will be thrown open after dark from 5.40pm to 10pm. Dublin Castle’s latest exhibition, 'Splendour & Scandal: The Office of Arms at Dublin Castle', will be available to view online and in person. Visitors will gain incredible insight into the role of the Office from the organisation of state ceremonial and pageantry, right thought to its links with the disappearance of the Irish Crown Jewels.

Heritage enthusiasts can also visit Chapel Royal on Culture Night to listen to ‘The Empty Vessel Soundscape’ by Mark St.John Ellis. Featuring the voice of Caitriona O’Leary, this audio installation can be experienced in the atmospheric surroundings of the Chapel. Due to Covid-19 restrictions spaces are limited and advanced booking on dublincastle.ie is encouraged to avoid disappointment. All tickets will be restricted to timed entry slots.

Kilkenny Castle will also be opening its door for Culture Night this Friday, not only will there be free admission from 6pm - 9pm, but the castle is also partnering with the National Design & Crafts Gallery for three outdoor activities!

Liz’s Mobile Discovery Studio from 10am to 1pm & 2pm to 5pm will allow visitors 18+ to join multi-disciplinary artist Liz Nilsson for 2 1/2 hours of site specific activities which will look at a sense of place and belonging, exploring the Park and surroundings of Kilkenny Castle. Expect gentle movement, meditation on sound, close colour observation and experimental mark making.

From 3pm to 4pm, 4.15pm to 5.15pm and 5.30pm to 6.30pm, families can take part in the Family Activity Zone, filled with self-directing and fun activities all within their own social distancing square! This was inspired by the lovely Kilkenny Connected exhibition’s sculpture Square Meter of Personal Space by Fiona Mulholland.

Culturally curious families can also participate in the craft hunt in Kilkenny Castle’s picturesque rose garden from 4pm to 4.30pm, 4.40pm to 5.10pm and 5.20pm to 5.50pm. This specially designed craft hunt by renowned artist and master paper-cutter, Paul Bokslag promises to be an unforgettable experience!

Whether you are a seasoned culture lover or a newly curious heritage explorer OPW heritage site will have something for everyone to enjoy this Culture Night with nationwide events including:

‘There was a Giant in our Garden’ online event brought to you by the Pearse Museum. A sound and animation video of the often overlooked side of Gulliver’s famous visit to Lilliput. As remembered by the Lilliputians! Watch our young people give their own special twist of the timeless Jonathan Swift novel, Gulliver’s Sound installation, spoken word and visual animation presented by the Tallaght Community Arts, Alternative Entertainments, Music Generation South Dublin and WorkSing Together. 4pm to 11pm at pearsemuseum.ie . No booking is required.
The legendary and historic Kilmainham Gaol will run guided tours until 9pm, (booking is essential).
A virtual tour of the stunning Cormac's Chapel will go live on the Rock of Cashel Facebook page at 7pm.
Charles Fort has stood firm in its iconic star shape for centuries. You can now experience it past its usual hours from 5.30pm to 7pm!
Experience Castletown House like never before! An online event presented by Castletown House in conjunction with the Maynooth University archive. Tune in to three videos which begin with showing the archive reference to the rooms and artefacts in the house followed by a guide speaking about the stunning rooms and priceless objects at the location. If you miss the online event, don’t worry! The videos will be scheduled to go out on social media, that of the OPW, Castletown House and Maynooth Archive and Research Centre (OMARC) on the evening of Culture Night from 4pm.
Take the ‘Virtual Victorian Basement Tour’ of Oldbridge House and the Battle of the Boyne. Learn what life was like as a housekeeper of an old grand house and see first-hand the painstaking process of washing and ironing in the Victorian era in the Laundry Room. Later, you can delve into the wine cellar and learn how a Victorian Gentleman might have used wine to show off to his dinner guests! The event will be shared on the Battle of the Boyne Facebook from 4pm Friday evening.

Kilkenny Castle

Kilkenny Connected; this wonderful exhibition comprises over 30 incredible installations by 20 artists, designers and craftspeople and are placed in multiple sites along Kilkenny’s Medieval Mile. Kilkenny Castle Park is very proud to showcase four of the installations – Castle’s sculptures Ann Mulrooney’s (bronze – Monument to Missing People) and Michael Warren’s (steel – Anchored Void) and welcome Michelle Maher’s (ceramics - Seeing Red) and Alan Meredith’s (pavilion – The Fold). This Kilkenny Connected exhibition will run until 20 October 2020.

Liz's Mobile Discovery Studio:

Times: 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm.
Suitable for Adults 18+
Booking essential at https://www.ndcg.ie/learn/culture-night
Participants are asked to bring along a notebook and sitting mat (a yoga mat or similar). Please wear comfortable warm outdoor clothing. All art supplies will be included. This outdoor activity will be weather dependant and if necessary will re-locate indoors
Subject to change due to government guidelines.

Family Activity Zone inspired by Connected exhibitor Fiona Mulholland:

Times: 3pm to 4pm / 4.15pm to 5.15pm / 5.30pm to 6.30pm
Suitable for the whole family
Booking essential at ndcg.ie/learn/culture-night
Places are limited to a maximum of five participants per square for a maximum stay of one hour.
Subject to change due to government guidelines.

Craft Hunt at Kilkenny Castle’s Rosegarden:

Time: 4pm to 4.30pm / 4.40pm to 5.10pm / 5.20pm to 5.50pm
Suitable for the whole family
Booking essential at https://www.ndcg.ie/learn/culture-night
Subject to change due to government guidelines

Dublin Castle

'Splendour & Scandal: The Office of Arms at Dublin Castle'

Please note you must pre-book tickets in advance. Admission will not be granted to those who do not have valid tickets. All tickets will be restricted to timed entry slots.

Note:

If you’re planning a visit to one of the OPW Heritage sites during Culture Night, you are encouraged to check with the individual heritage sites on heritageireland.ie for booking details prior to travelling, as COVID-19 restrictions do remain in place at many sites.