Culture night made easy

Decisions, decisions. Culture Night is a great idea, and is definitely a highlight of the arts calendar - no question... here’s the but... But there’s 24 events all crammed into Friday, September 18 - many on at the same time, and in towns dotted about the county. You could be forgiven for thinking it’s all too much to choose from - just check out the ‘What’s on’ guide on p38 for the comprehensive run through.
Rather than conceding defeat and enduring The Late Late Show, the Celt has planned an arts binge, which will nourish the soul and won’t do your waistline one bit of harm. Save for those events, which you need to drive to, we’ve strictly only allowed 15 minutes to watch events and five minutes walking time. Apologies, but in order to force feed as many events as possible down our arts gullet, the following is necessarily dominated by Cavan Town events.
1pm: Take in the display of textiles and crafts created by Traveller women at the Bungalow, Moynehall;
3pm: get colleague to say you’re looking very pale within earshot of boss;
4pm: Feign sickness and hit the road for Dowra;
5pm: Arrive in Dowra to have a go at making pottery and appreciate the work of Jim Fee and his students over the last year;
6.45pm: Take in Sally O’Dowd’s exhibition of line drawings in Johnston Library - many achieved with just a single line;
7.05pm: Power walk up to the Moth HQ on Church Street to meet the artists who use their studios;
7.25pm: Take a spin up to the Backyard and let fate decide which of the many styles of dance (sean nós, set, ballet, ballroom etc) you get to enjoy.
8pm: Bite size plays will be performed in ‘Tapas Theatre’ at Cavan Townhall with live accompaniment by Cavan Sinfonia Orchestra;
8.20pm: Find out what the Mandala is (clue: not a late great South African hero), as artist Jackie O’Neill and wood worker Joe Doherty explore the concept with a display of their work at Cavan Teachers Centre; harpist extraordinaire Kavan Donohoe provides the musical backdrop;
8.40pm: Stride up to St Clare’s Chapel on Main Street where Cavan Town Comhaltas musicians will play trad and classic pieces;
9.10pm: Leap in the car and take the short spin to Kilmore Church of Ireland Cathedral for ‘In Praise of Culture’ a heady mix of poetry, inspirational music from the Kilmore Choir and a history with Heather Brett, Noel Monahan and Wendy Swann.
9.40pm: DECISION TIME:Head to the County Museum in Ballyjamesduff for Imelda Bradley’s first solo show and catch a snippet of Fiona Maria Fitzpatrick’s concert; OR head for any of the following - Realtóg Centre in Kilnaleck for more comhaltas talent; Mullaghboy for more music, storytelling and dancing with the local trad talent and the Orange Lodge; a concert in Mullagh Hall by Castletown Accordion Orchestra; Tribute night to trad legend Ed Reavy;
10.40pm: Really looking forward to catching Marilyn Gaffney’s digital projections exploring ‘urban memory’ on Thomas Ashe St;
11pm: Can’t guarantee it, but I’d imagine the Gonzo and Transart crews will keep the Culture Night party going into the wee hours.