Culture Night in Westmeath

The big sound and sight of the Mullingar Town Band on the Market Square, an interactive ‘whodunnit’ theatre experience in Mullingar Arts Centre, an open mic event and an exhibition of works by the Mullingar Art Room – there’s loads to choose from for the 18th edition of Culture Night, this Friday, September 22.

Culture Night, or Oíche Chultúir, is brought to you by the Arts Council, celebrating culture, creativity and the arts. All activities are available for free and will be delivered across Mullingar, Kinnegad, Castlepollard, and Crookedwood.

Last year, 742,000 people engaged with 1,700 Culture Night events, and this year doors will open later to allow for a greater diversity of events.

Open Mic

Mullingar Library host their first ever open mic (5-6pm). Book your five-minute performance slot by contacting 044 9332161 or email mgarlib@westmeathcoco.ie. All are welcome to attend.

Film

Gimme A Minute Film Festival – Westmeath Filmmakers Collective: “Got a minute? We want to see it!” Westmeath Filmmakers Collective are holding a short film festival on Culture Night. Each film will be no longer than three minutes. Annebrook House Hotel, 8-9.30pm. No booking required.

Art

An Art Is A Universal Language. Visual artist Jurgita Stuckaite is inviting Lithuanian, Irish and Ukrainian communities to express their greetings to the people using different media, including paint, pencils, and markers. The workshop is open to everyone. Newbury Hotel, 4-5pm, no booking required.

Riverside Community Centre, Dalton Park, 6-8pm No booking required.

Cluain Lir Art Exhibition

An open night at the Cluain Lir Community Centre showcasing artwork by the residents will be an opportunity to exhibit the work and to invite residents, friends and families to celebrate their achievements. Visual arts activities was undertaken with up to 44 Residents who experience varying degrees of dementia, facilitated by artist Lucy Tormey and coordinators Karina Browne and Ruth Donoghue. 4-8.30pm.

Street Art Tour

A tour of the street art works of Mullingar will be led by Ruth Illingworth on Culture Night. Meeting at Mullingar Arts Centre at 6.30pm, Ruth will take guests on a free 75-minute guided tour of the art on display on the streets of Mullingar, which celebrate the rich cultural history of the town and the famous people who have visited Mullingar or were from the town.

These include the Mullingar History Mural; the Pilgrims Statue; the Town Park art sculptures, and the Famine Memorial. For further information phone 087 947 2583 or email ruthillingworthmullingar@gmail.com.

Town Band

Mullingar Town Band and their Colourguard will be in the Market Square between 7.30pm and 8.15pm. An entertaining music performance programme is planned, so don’t miss it.

Mullingar Arts Centre

Mullingar Arts Centre is a hub for all things creative in the town and the public are invited to go along and spend the evening celebrating song, dance, drama and musical theatre, all for free.

First up are Mullingar Gospel Choir, who will have you tapping your toes and singing along as a lovely warm-up to Culture Night in the arts centre. Join them in the bar at 6.30pm for a singalong. They will be joined by cast members from Frozen Jnr. This is a great pre-show event for those attending the production of Frozen at 8pm. The singalong is free to attend, but tickets are needed for the Frozen show.

Members of Across the Boards, the resident group for children and young people with additional needs, are ‘Dancing Like Stars’ this year. Join them as they lead an hour-long mixed genre dance workshop suitable for ages 13 years and up, at 9.30pm.

One exciting event taking place at the arts centre is an interactive murder mystery theatre experience starting at 10.30pm. Members of Mullingar Youth Theatre are hosting ‘Missing Starlet on the Movie Set’, a classic whodunnit, and the public are invited to play a part and help solve the mysterious disappearance of Annie C. Suitable for ages 13 years and up.

Mullingar Art Room

Mullingar Art Room are running a weekend exhibition, which will be opened on Culture Night in the Greville Arms Hotel at 6pm by Noel O’Farrell. Artists displaying their work include Kieran Gaine, Mary Hunt, Kevin Meehan, Martina Cassidy, Peter Finch, Bernie Fay, Tommy Bolger, Ann Keating, Richie Clarke, and Gordon Duffy. Refreshments will be served on the evening and guests will have the opportunity to meet the artists.

Mullingar Art Room meet Thursday evenings at the Mullingar Charity Variety group premises in Forest Park. The group came to fruition in 2012 with just five members, some of whom are still active today. Originally the idea was to provide an space for artists of all abilities using whatever medium they preferred.

New members are always welcome to this warm and inviting group. If you have a love of any aspect of art, and like to chat, then this is the group for you. The social aspect helps promote good mental health and wellbeing, and notwithstanding the brief hiatus during the pandemic, the group have bounced back with even greater enthusiasm.

They have had expertise and tuition from a variety of local and well established artists, including Loretta Cooney and Kevin Flood, and have enjoyed trips to Art Source in the RDS and a weekend Plein Air experience in Belvedere. These activities ensure that the group are constantly evolving and continue to be inspired. The exhibition remains open for viewing Saturday, September 23, 11am-9pm, and Sunday 24th 11am-6pm.

Kinnegad

A night of singing, poetry, trad, classical and folk music and dance takes place in Kinnegad at 7.30pm. Celebrating Kinnegad’s talented multicultural community, this promises to be a colourful night. No booking required.

Castlepollard

Stories Of Doll-making

Teresa Doyle at Tullynally Castle, 4-6pm – a ‘show and tell’ of dolls created through the years. Teresa will discuss the process, and host a doll making activity.

Teresa is an artist and doll-maker, making dolls using re-purposed fabrics and accessories. In February 2023, she held an exhibition of dolls at the Atrium, Mullingar, called The Living Fabric.

Please note booking is required by Tuesday 19 for this event as places are limited: call Teresa on 0876421148 or email teresamdoyles@gmail.com.

Music And Storytelling with the Water Street Association

The public, young and old, are invited to join Water Street Association, 7.30-9.30pm for a night of music and storytelling. There will be music showcasing local musicians and an open mic where our audience are invited to share stories, poems or songs. Visitors can also enjoy events outside in the community garden and gather around the fire pit where there will be homemade punch and warming apple pie made with produce from the garden. No booking required.

Jewellery Making

With Deirdre Clogher provides an opportunity to connect with your creativity and learn a little about the art of jewellery making in a fun encouraging environment. Each participant will create their own unique beaded necklace to bring home. Deirdre Clogher Art Studio, 4-5pm. Age 18+. Booking: 0860527171.

Crookedwood

Devine Art Studios

A free Culture Night Art Workshop is planned for Devine Art Studios in Crookedwood. It promises to be a fun and learning experience for all. Come along and paint with Caithriona Devine, where everything will be prepped and ready for participants to start their masterpieces. You can choose to follow Catherine’s demo and avail of individual tuition. Materials and tools supplied. Free but booking required 0872702344.

https://culturenight.ie/events/?_sft_location=westmeath