Culture Night 2025 takes place on Friday, 19th September and will light up towns and cities across Ireland with a vibrant celebration of the arts. Poetry and drama take centre stage this year, with pop-up performances, open mic nights, street theatre, and intimate readings in unexpected venues. From contemporary verse to classic Irish plays, audiences can experience the power of words brought to life. While poetry and drama shine, Culture Night embraces all genres—music, dance, visual arts, heritage, film, and more—offering something for everyone in a truly nationwide celebration of creativity.
The Boy: A Two-Play Theatrical Event – world première, The Abbey Theatre, Dublin
Written by Marina Carr and directed by Caitríona McLaughlin, ‘The Boy: A Two-Play Theatrical Event’ brings a contemporary Irish lens to the pain and beauty of Sophocles’ Theban trilogy of Oedipus Rex, Oedipus at Colonus and Antigone. This is a major world premiere of two new plays which will run back-to-back for the full epic story on Ireland’s national stage this Culture Night.
Like to Write Recital, Kilmallock Library, Limerick
Reading of ‘A Necklace of Wrens’ by Michael Hartnett with soprano and music educator Tríona Walsh who will be performing a short concert of songs connected to literature, poetry, books, and the moon.
Snag Notes, Clonakilty Community Arts Centre
Back for its third year in 2025, Snag Notes will present readings by a selection of published poets including Molly Twomey along with performances by local jazz musicians. Like in previous editions, the Irish language will have a strong presence, as will poetry in translation — creating a rich, cross-cultural experience for the local community.
Ar ais don tríú bliain i 2025, beidh Snag Notes ag cur léachtaí ar fáil ó rogha de dhíonaithe filíochta atá foilsithe, lena n-áirítear Molly Twomey, chomh maith le hionchoirí ó cheoltóirí jazz áitiúla. Mar a bhí i leaganacha roimhe seo, beidh láithreacht láidir ag an nGaeilge, mar atá filíocht i dtiríniú—ag cruthú taithí shaibhir, tras-chultúrtha don phobail áitiúil.
Literary Readings, The Arts Council, 70 Merrion Square
A special event with recipients of the 2025 Artist in Residence awards across Literature, Film, and Traditional Arts. Victoria Kennefick, Ellen Dillon, Tom Hall, Gavin McCrea, Réaltán Ní Leannáin, Sarah Gilmartin, Molly Hennigan and Annemarie Ní Churreáin will each perform readings, alongside music by Eithne Ní Chatháin (Inni-K).
Read Mór
30 books by Irish and Irish-based authors will be gifted to young people across through Ireland through a new partnership with Jigsaw: The National Centre for Youth Mental Health in this annual book-gifting initiative that celebrates Irish literature and promotes wellbeing through the joy of reading. Included in the selection is Molly Twomey‘s new collection, Chic To be Sad.
For further information about these events and many more visit www.culturenight.ie
