What is Culture Night?
Culture Night - also called Oíche Chultúir - is an annual event all around Ireland which celebrates the arts and culture of Ireland, presenting its historical and contemporary culture and its people. Various events dedicated to this aim take place in diverse forms. Workshops are offered to the public who are invited to contribute, explore and find out about artistic skills and crafts. Other places, such as museums, open their doors free of charge, offering additional content or exhibitions and performances.
On this night, a few friends and I wandered through the streets of Limerick, enjoying the various events and sights. Our first stop brought us to the historical Nicholas Street, the former main street of Limerick, to listen to the ‘Ghost Tour’ located there. Supported by actors dressed in ‘old fashioned’ clothing, we learned about the historical significance and folklore of these parts of Limerick and wandered to multiple locations with our guides.
Our first stop
Coming by the Wickham Market on the other side of the city, we had the chance to listen to a local musician, converse with other culture night goers and observe and take part in painting workshops offered. Wickham Market is always a socio-cultural centre of coming together in Limerick, whether it be hosting small artists or events such as a celebration of Mexico's Independence Day. On Culture Night, the market welcomed us in its familiar friendly fashion and made it an inviting spot to be.
Next stop
Moving on to our last location at the Public House “Mother Macs”, we all enjoyed a beverage or two and conversed till the programme for the night began. Starting off with traditional Irish storytelling, we listened to an extraordinary performance about myths and gods, centering around the Public House of the Irish Dead and a man who comes back to life in order to continue to tell rhymes (and drink Guiness).
Following this, a six membered band set up and played Irish traditional music - with a collection of fiddles, guitars, an accordion and a harp. It's safe to say that the atmosphere reached a joyous height, as the songs carried into the air.
Here's to Culture Night 2025!
Mother Macs hosted these artistic events in appreciation and celebration of the culture of Irish Public Houses, which are marked by flowing conversations, storytelling and music. It is safe to say that this was seen and appreciated by many that night, giving especially international students such as myself a look into Irish culture and values.
Culture Night was a wonderful and fun experience which allowed a deeper and personal insight to places and sights in Limerick in a very authentic manner. I hope that everyone who attended had at least as much fun as my friends and I – and considers going to next year’s Culture Night as well!
- Annemarie (Rie) Menche; Universität Gießen, Germany
