As part of this year’s Culture Night celebrations (Friday 20 September) Mary Immaculate College (MIC) is delighted to open the doors to both its Limerick and Thurles campuses—hosting numerous free events encompassing Irish language, culture, heritage, art, music and history.
MIC staff and students are contributing to the evening’s events.
Events at MIC Limerick include: A Crash Course in Half Man Half Biscuit; art exhibition, The Engine Room; Ceol an Fhómhair with MIC traditional musicians, Catherine Joyce and Róisín Ní Chonchúir—2023 recipients of the Ashling Murphy Memorial Entrance Scholarship; talks about the Irish national anthem and Limerick City’s Coat of Arms, as well as a guided tour of the MIC Chapel and the nearby Redemptorist Church.
Events on MIC’s Tipperary campus include: Historic Tours of MIC Thurles and a musical performance by Ceola & Friends.
Now in its nineteenth year, Culture Night 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.
Patricia O’Sullivan, Enterprise and Community Engagement Manager at MIC, emphasised that Culture Night is a highlight of the College calendar.
“We are delighted to once again be opening our doors late on Culture Night 2024 and very much look forward to welcoming people to both our Limerick and Thurles campuses. We’ve put together a fantastic line-up of events for the evening. From the musical talents of our staff and students to guided tours of both campuses, stimulating presentations, exhibitions and poetry readings, there is sure to be something of interest to everyone! Culture Night is a fantastic opportunity to not only showcase our talents but also to celebrate and share the vibrant and inclusive community that makes MIC special. Culture Night 2024 @ MIC promises to be an unforgettable evening filled with art, music, history, and community spirit.”
All events are completely free and open to the public. You can find out more about this year’s Culture Night by clicking here.
Events at MIC Limerick
A Crash Course in Half Man Half Biscuit
Time: 4-5pm
Location: Meet in Main Reception, Foundation Building
More info: In under an hour you'll learn a little about Half Man Half Biscuit AKA the most important English folk band of the last 50 years, hear and maybe even learn a song or two and design a HMHB t-shirt with Niall Quinn - frontman of Irish HMHB tribute Half Arsed Half Biscuit - ahead of their free Culture Night show in the Kasbah (Dolan’s Pub, Dock Road, Limerick) later in the evening at 7pm. Booking for workshop here. Bring an old blank tee if you have one.
Ceol an Fhómhair
Time: 5-6pm
Location: G08, Foundation Building
More info: Buail fút agus bain taitneamh as ceol ar an gcláirseach agus an fhidil, agus amhráin áille, le Catherine Joyce agus Róisín Ní Chonchúir. Sit back and relax to the sound of harp and fiddle and beautiful song from Catherine Joyce and Róisín Ní Chonchúir.
The Engine Room
Time: 6-7pm
Location: Main Reception, Foundation Building
More info: Prior to an artist displaying their artwork/s in the public domain, there is much preparation involved that goes unseen in the artist's studio. In this exhibit, the Visual Arts team (Department of Arts Education and Physical Education) as a team of educators and artists aim to showcase their visual ideas, sketches, photography, research and studies.
Claiming the National Anthems of Ireland: God Save the King and Amhrán na bhFiann
Time: 5.30-6pm
Location: G10, Foundation Building
More info: While national anthems are celebrated for their ability to unite, they can also become a source of division when rival groups lay claim on them. This talk by Dr Michael Murphy, Department of Music at MIC, will examine how the British national anthem was weaponised by Daniel O’Connell to marginalise the Orangemen, and it will delve into the contentious struggle over The Soldier’s Song during the Irish Civil War.
Limerick City’s Coat of Arms: A Visual Review
Time: 6-6.45pm
Location: G10, Foundation Building
More info: The event by Kevin Michael Stevenson (Department of Learning, Society and Religious Education) will provide a short history on Limerick City’s Coat of Arms reviewing terminology and appearance within the city, with a presentation of a rare depiction of the emblem.
Tour of MIC Chapel and Redemptorist Church
Time: 5.30-7.15pm
Location: Meet in Main Reception, Foundation Building
More info: The MIC chapel was built in 1906 and this guided tour by Dr Patricia Kieran (Department of Learning, Society and Religious Education) will explore its history, architectural features and religious significance. After this tour, the group will be invited to walk to the nearby Redemptorist Church (dedicated in 1862) where Fr Seamus Enright will give a guided tour of the Church’s beautiful architecture as well as its spiritual, social and religious significance.
Events at MIC Thurles
Historic Tours of MIC Thurles
Time: 5-7pm
Location: Meet in Main Reception, MIC Thurles
More info: Step onto a campus that boasts a breath-taking blend of architectural styles, from Gothic to Georgian. This guided tour, led by MIC Thurles Librarian, Ruth Talbot, will take you through the iconic landmarks of the campus, including the enchanting Gothic Chapel, and the serene surroundings that provide a tranquil backdrop to centuries of academic excellence.
Musical Performance by Ceola & Friends
Time: 6-7.30pm
Location: Everard Memorial Chapel, MIC Thurles
More info: Join us as Ceola, a four-part vocal harmony group, come together with local musicians to perform a mix of traditional, folk and contemporary songs in the Everard Memorial Chapel.
