Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Culture Night 2008


I've lived in Dublin for a number of years and have made an effort to visit galleries and museums when i have the chance. However there are still a huge number of places in Dublin i have yet to visit and I'll be taking full advantage of Culture Night this coming Friday, September 19th.

Culture night has been running in Dublin since 2006 as an initiative led by Temple Bar Cultural Trust in association with the Council of National Cultural Institutions. It's also supported by the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism. It was started in a bid to provide an awareness of the many cultural treasures that we have in the city.This year the night will also happen in Cork, Limerick and Galway. It amazes me when i speak with people who have lived in Dublin for a number of years, or even their entire lives; and yet they have never set foot in places such as the Chester Beatty library,The Hugh Lane gallery,the GAA museum, Collins Barracks or the National Gallery.


I have spent hours in the Chester Beatty library gawping slack jawed at the amazing works of art: Egyptian papyrus texts, beautifully illuminated copies of the Qur'an,Chinese dragon robes and Japanese woodblock prints, the Bible, Buddhist paintings , European medieval and renaissance manuscripts are just some of the highlights of this gift to the Irish people from Mr Beatty.


Culture night has grown to include over 100 of Dublin's arts and cultural organisations with the vast majority opening until 11pm.It is expected to attract in excess of 100,000 people this year.


The Temple Bar Cultural Information Centre at 12 East Essex Street, Temple Bar will be open from 9am until 11pm on Culture Night providing as much information as you need to help you plan your evening.There are a number of ways to get around the city,by foot, bicycle and there are also free buses being provided to get people around.


For more info,maps and details : http://www.culturenight.ie/
Photo: unm.edu

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