Plenty on this Culture Night in Westmeath

Venues and public spaces across Ireland open their doors for Culture Night on Friday September 22, and Westmeath is no different, with a programme full of free entertainment as part of an all-island celebration of arts, heritage and culture.

Now in its 13th year, Culture Night returns with its biggest programme to date, and there’s plenty to see and do, from art and dance to drama and history.

Mullingar

Mullingar Camera Club will host an exhibition of photos in the Atrium, at County Buildings, between 9-5pm.

There is also a ‘Spark of Genius’ exhibition in Mullingar Library (10-5pm). Later in Market House, an exhibition called Winging It, runs between 6pm and 9pm.

The Public Art Works of Mullingar walking tour by Ruth Illingworth includes Pilgrims Statue, the history behind the Mullingar Mural in Blackhall, the 1916 Memorial Garden, the Chess Piece in the Tranquillity Garden and the artworks in the town park. The tour starts at Market Square (5.30-6.15pm).

Cill Cluain are providing a demonstration and workshop for upcycling bottles, book covers, plus many more items at Riverside Community Centre in Dalton Park (10am-1pm) – contact Collette on 087 3182209.

The Cill Cuan Adult Day Service present a play based in the early 1900s where a group are just trying to have a picnic in between persistent showers. It is in the Atrium at County Buildings at 1pm.

Elevate Dance group will perform in Acro, Modern Theatre and Lyrical, at Market Square (4.30- 5.15pm). This will be followed by a recital from Mullingar Town Band in Market Square at 5.30-6.15pm.

Energy Plus School of Dance will perform ballet, tap, modern, contemporary, jazz, along with musical theatre performances in the Market Square between 6.30-7.30pm.

The students will later perform a show at their studio at 5 Brosna Park, Mullingar (8.30-9.30pm).

A second walking tour by Ms Illingworth is at 6pm from the Square, and later, she will give a tour of the museum in the Greville Arms (8.30-9.30pm).

There are guided tours in Belvedere By Day (4-5.30pm) or you can choose to explore Belvedere by Night (6-8pm).

The Harp Ensemble will perform a variety of traditional music and repertoires directed by Anita O’Brien with Kelly McKinley, Annagrace McKinley, Alice McDonnell and Lynn Clarke at Áras an Mhuilinn at 8.30pm.

Castlepollard

Tullynally Castle is offering a free guided tour of the gardens at 6pm, while the Write Here, Write Now group have activities in Hotel Castlepollard, including an art exhibition, a performance from the set dancers, a Taekwon-do demo, and ICA display of works and an Open Mic slot full of poetry and storytelling (4-10pm).

There’s also an Irish themed karaoke evening at Hotel Castlepollard from 10pm.

Collinstown

Join local artist Teresa Doyle for ‘ImaGAAination 2’, an intergenerational art workshop at the Lough Lene Gaels Club House, (11am-1pm); limited places so call Teresa on 087 6421148.

Kinnegad

Get creative in Kinnegad with the Wood Carving Group display of works at Tesco. The creations range from chairs, coffee tables, ornaments, lamps, used for exhibitions and gifts (10am-5pm).

Tyrrellspass

Little Art is a children’s workshop (4-12 years) with arts and crafts relating to the local habitat and facilitated by Monica Maxwell. It is in the Old Schoolhouse on The Green, (2.30-4.30pm); contact Monica 087 4134822.

Ballynacargy

Ballynacargy Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann will host a night full of music, song, dance and stories in Teach Ceoil at 8pm.

Moate

Sceal An Tradisuin is a unique exhibition that tells the story of Traditional Irish music, song, and dance through the ages. Learn about the man who is credited with saving traditional music and why Irish Dancing is loved and learned the world over. Get yourself down to Dun an Sí (4-5pm).