Laois Culture Night 2024: Your event guide

This years annual Culture Night will take place on Friday September 20, with events in Abbeyleix, Durrow, Mountmellick, Portarlington, Portlaoise, Rathdowney and Stradbally.

Culture Night /Oíche Chultúir is a national moment, celebrating 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. 

Laois have a broad spectrum of events to enliven the county happening until late. Entry to all events is free to the public. 

Check out our guide on local culture night events below:

Abbeyleix

Nocturnal Soundscapes with David Vesey and Alina Obreja.

Abbeyleix Library- 6:30pm -7:30pm

Join internationally acclaimed Classical musicians David Vesey and Alina Obreja for Nocturnal Soundscapes a concert duet on Piano and Cello, featuring music inspired by the night.

Pat’s Art Class

Abbeyleix Heritage House - 6:30pm-8:30pm

Attendees are joined by acclaimed local artist, Pat Byrne in a fun and educational lesson on landscape painting. Booking is essential email: info@abbeyleixheritage.com

Durrow

Spink Comhaltas

Aylwards Heritage Museum, 8pm.

Spink Comhaltas will host a traditional Irish music session in Aylwards Heritage Museum, for a night of traditional Irish music: group, solo and duet performances along with storytelling and singing. Refreshments provided.

Mountmellick

Screening of 1995 Mountmellick commemorative Famine film

Mountmellick Library, 4:00pm-5:00pm.

Come see a screening of a historical film showcasing the effects of the Great Famine on Mountmellick.

Mountmellick Comhaltas Trad Performance

Mountmellick library, 5:00pm-6:00pm.

Mountmellick Comhaltas Group will give a fantastic performance of iconic trad music.

Screening of Tiny Plays

Mountmellick Library- 6:00pm- 6:30pm.

Directed by Ellen Buckley, see the short films created by the Mountmellick community through the Mountmellick Heritage and Arts festival.

Story sharing: One Night for All

Mountmellick Library, 6:30pm-8:00pm

The Mountmellick Community Arts Collective will share their stories along with invited storytellers from a diverse range of community groups featuring unique stories from traveller, LGBTQ and diverse ethnic writers.

Portarlington

Painting with artist Mary Slevin.

Mount Henry Art Studio, Children 4:00pm-5:00pm, adults 7:00pm to 8:30pm.

Explore your artistic side with local artist Mary Slevin, as she gives workshops with adults and children. The children will create fantastic birdhouses, with the adults making beautiful personal collages.

Port Art Crawl

6:30pm onwards.

Taking place at a range of locations, join the Port Art Collective for an art crawl filled with arts, crafts, music and history, including a range of cultures on the night.

Portlaoise

Italian Opera and Songs of Ireland

Portlaoise Library, 6:00pm.

Experience a performance from the Drawing Room Opera Company, for a blend of famous Irish songs and popular Italian Opera classics.

25th Anniversary of Portlaoise Musical Society

Dunamaise Arts Centre, 6:00pm onwards.

Celebrate 25 years of the Portlaoise Musical Society with a fantastic performance of their upcoming show, 'Guys and Dolls'.

The performance will also include a photo op and refreshments.

Makeup X Art Workshop with James Mac

Dunamaise Arts Centre, from 6:00pm onwards.

Join renowned Netflix star and makeup artist James Mac as he gives a creative workshop demonstrating the connections and inspirations between art and makeup design. Taking place in the Dunamaise Gallery, attendees will experience an evening of creativity and innovation.

Showcase of Textile Art

Dunamaise Art Centre, from 6:00pm onwards.

Grab a coffee from the Dunamaise Cafe and enjoy a display and demonstration of beautiful hand made crochet with LOETB tutor Courtney Murray.

Tibetan Monks Performance: From the Roof of the World

Dunamaise Arts Centre, 6:00pm onwards.

From the Roof of the World, a performance by eight Tibetan monks, from Tashi Lhunpo Monastery. The group will present a fascinating experience of: cultural chant, mantras, music and dance opening a magical window on a world of reincarnation and mysticism. Booking advised: (057) 866 3355.

Rathdowney

Rathdowney Revel

The Square Rathdowney, 8:00pm-9:00pm

All are welcome to join the Rathdowney Revel and experience a unique blend of performance art from a varied set of performers, especially curated by artist Caroline Conway, sculptor Evgeny Chubatyy, circus performer Maria Corcoran and percussionist Lilia Iontcheva.

The event will be held outdoors, and involve children and young people from Scoil Bhríde NS, Errill NS, and St Fergal’s College, as well as the wider Rathdowney community.

Stradbally

Anseo- Here

Laois Arthouse Gallery and Studios, 6:30pm to 8:30pm.

Laois Arthouse Studio artists Stephanie Deady, Lia Laimbock, Greg Hallahan and Bernadette Keating invite the public to take a glimpse into their work.

The group will show the variety of media they work in, and welcome the public to take a peek into their studios.

Music by Liarnan and Storytelling from Michelle Quirke

Stradbally Library, 8:30pm to 9:30pm.

Enjoy a blend of famous trad music with newly composed trad ballad on the uileann pipes, harp and fiddle.

Music will be followed by local legends and stories, told by Michelle Quirke.

Folk Music with Emer Dunne

Ballykilcavan Brewery, 7:30pm sharp.

See a performance of Folk Music with Emer Dunne and her band on guitar and fiddle. This performance brings together traditional and contemporary folk music and song featuring music, telling the stories of Laois’ history and heritage - audience participation is encouraged!

Laois Culture Night is supported by Laois County Council and Creative Ireland Laois.