A guide to Culture Night in the Royal County
This year’s Culture Night holds an array of fun and diverse activities all around Meath. Culture Night is a night to celebrate and promote the diverse cultural heritage of Ireland and all of its individual counties.
The 20th edition of the national event falls on Friday 19th September and below are just some of the highlights of the fantastic activities and events that are hosted in towns around Meath, with something for everyone to enjoy.
All events are on Friday 19th September.
Cautionary Tales in Navan
What: Cautionary Tales is a wickedly funny and delightfully naughty opera for families and children (ages 7+), the perfect way to switch off and tune in together. Based on Hilaire Belloc’s classic poems, this fast-paced and clever production brings the antics of Rebecca, Jim, Henry, and Matilda hilariously to life.
Their mischief and mayhem are matched by catchy music, dark humour, and a cast of unforgettable characters. Whether you’re young or young at heart, this is one family opera outing that’s as smart as it is fun. Cautionary Tales is presented by Opera Collective Ireland.
When: 7pm to 8pm
Where: Solstice Arts Centre, Navan
Artconnect: A Multicultural Evening of Art and Music in Athboy
What: ArtConnect is a multicultural art evening that will showcase an art exhibition created by international artists who meet weekly as part of a local community group. In addition to the exhibition, there will be live music, dance, and vocal performances by both Ukrainian and Irish artists.
The evening aims to foster cultural exchange, connection, and understanding through shared creativity. The event is open to adults and families from all cultural backgrounds.
When: 6pm to 9pm
Where: Saint James' Hall, Athboy
Creative Life Writing Workshop with Sioman Soloman in Kells
What: Solomon is a Kells-based playwright, poet, editor, and teacher, who holds an MA in Creative Writing. This introductory creative life writing workshop will help you imagine, develop and complete your own Irish memoir, autobiography, or family story. Age 16+
When: 4:30pm to 6:30pm
Where: The Bookmarket Cafe, Kells
Celebration of Irish Culture in Duleek
What: A celebration of Irish Culture, with local musicians, singers and dancers. There will be Irish poetry and stories. Light Refreshments will be served. Entry free. All are welcome.
When: 7:30pm to 9pm
Where: Duleek Court House, Duleek
EDG Arts in Enfield
What: EDG Arts presents a diverse mix of live music, dance, poetry, and an exhibition of fashion from Junk Kouture on Enfield’s main street. Music presented will include young bands from the Blast Music Academy and Enfield Community College. Adult Music performers include the new SUSO Enfield Community Choir, The Motherpluckers Ukuele Group, and Enfield Comhaltas Ceoltóirí.
A diverse dance line-up will include young local dance and drama from GK stage Academy, Embrace Dance Academy present young ballerinas, Connolly school of Irish Dancing, and a unique presentation from Nirthya Natyalya Bharatanatyam of fusion Irish-Indian dance. Enfield Poetry Circle showcase their 1st year of poems.
When: 6:30pm to 11:30pm
Where: Enfield Library Courtyard/The Midland Bar/Lady M Boutique, Enfield
Stitch an Autumn Broach in Ballivor
What: Join Anita in her Ballivor studio to create an Autumn brooch in fabric. Learn to embroider an autumn tree on sky printed cotton. Attach a pin to complete your brooch. Adults and children aged 12+
When: 7pm to 9pm
Where: Anita Reynolds Art and Design, Ballivor
Voices of Our Community in Navan
What: “Voices of Our Community” will include live music, guest speakers, dance, and art exhibitions by local artists and creatives. It will celebrate different cultures and highlight voices from under-represented groups including youths, immigrants, and ethnic minorities.
When: 4pm to 6pm
Where: Claremont Stadium, Navan
Moving Words in Navan and Trim
What: Sit down, not for long though! Open your listening ears, your seeing eyes and get ready to enter a world where a wicked fairy and a giant come to life to try to scare you. Will Finn the warrior of Fianna let them loose?
The main activity is the performance of an expressive reading of a selected picture book while showing a dance interpretation that follows the course of the story. Following the performance, there is a tailored creative dance workshop connecting with the story told. Age 6+
When: Navan - 5pm to 6pm
Trim - 7pm to 8pm
Where: Swift Cultural Centre, Trim and Solstice Arts Centre, Navan
A Ceili for All in Summerhill
What: An evening of Irish dance and music with a two hour set dancing event, encouraging all attendees to partake and learn the dances. Age 14+
When: 8pm to 10pm
Where: Summerhill Community Centre, Summerhill
An Evening of Music with Carl Gillic
What: Carl Gillic is a seasoned musician who has taken his music to stages across Ireland and beyond. Carl has showcased both as a solo artist and as part of several cover bands and original projects, bringing a wide range of musical styles to life, predominantly rock, soul and contemporary. Age 16+
When: 8pm to 10pm
Where: The Bookmarket Cafe, Kells
Open Mic Evening in Athboy
What: An evening of poetry, prose, song and dance presented to you by members of three local community groups: Athboy Writers’ Forum, Áit (Athboy Inclusion Team) and Special Hands Activity Group. Please note, performers register in advance. Age 5+
When: 7pm to 9pm
Where: St James' Hall, Athboy
For more information on Culture Night in Meath, click here.