Celebrating Cavan and Monaghan this Culture Night

Culture Night is back for 2026, with dozens of events taking place in towns and villages across Cavan and Monaghan on Friday, September 18.

From displays of local art to tales from days of old, there will be celebrations held in each corner of the Breffni county, including a ‘Living Lands’ earth exhibition in Bailieborough Library and an evening of live music in Dowra Courthouse.

A pop-up Gaeltacht, ‘Caint sa Chearnóg’, will be held between 1-2pm in the Market Square in Cavan Town, giving people with all levels of Irish an opportunity to use and practise the language.

From 5:30pm until 7pm, a vibrant celebration featuring two spectacular outdoor shows will bring the carpark at Townhall Arts Centre to life, guaranteed to entertain audiences of all ages.

In Virginia, a dynamic group exhibition, showcasing contemporary painting and mixed media by four Cavan-based artists, curated by Will Govan, will be displayed in the Ramor Arts Centre, starting at 6pm. Celebrating Cavan’s creative energy, this exhibition invites audiences to meet the artists and engage with their work.

The rich cultural diversity of Cavan will be celebrated at an event in the Farnham Arms Hotel at 6:30pm, organised by NYAH Cavan, the Association of Ukrainians in Ireland, Music Generation Youth Choir, the Latvian Association of Cavan, Gaelphobal an Chabháin and Cavan Connects. This family-friendly event celebrates community, connection, inclusion and the sharing of Irish and international traditions through music, song, dance, storytelling, language and artistic performances.

The Drummany Spirit Organic Farm & Event Space in Milltown will host a traditional music session, storytelling, crafts and Sean-nós dancing at Brigid’s 300-year-old thatched cottage between 7pm and 9:30pm.

Walk in the beautiful organic gardens, enjoy butter & bread making, flower crowns, Ireland’s largest handcrafted drum An Ruaille Buaille Druma, and admire the large scale art pieces on display.

Farney Feast

Similarly in Monaghan, there will be everything from street performances to craft workshops and traditional music sessions, including ‘Flax Festivities’ in Íontas Castleblayney and Runaway Hands Piano Recital in the Market House in Monaghan town.

The 9th Annual Tradoodle Festival will be launched at a special event in the Monaghan Peace Campus from 6:30pm until 8pm with the Tradoodle Big Band. Feel free to bring along an instrument and join in or sit back and enjoy the music, which will be followed with a performance by headliners Pádraig McGovern and Sabina McCague, who recently released their highly anticipated duet album, ‘The Starry Lane to Monaghan.’

Renowned storyteller Seosamh Ó Maolalaí will share stories in Ireland’s native language in Monaghan’s Irish language centre, An Nead, beginning at 7pm.

From 7pm until 8.30pm, Camphill Community Ballybay will welcome two exciting acts - Funky Fi-Disco Date and the Hakuna Matata Acrobatics Show, for an evening filled with circus, disco, fire, acrobatics and laughter, sure to be a fun and inclusive celebration for all.

Join Clones Festival of Arts in Adamson’s Bar at 8pm for a community recording celebrating poetry, inviting people of all ages to read a favourite poem and share why it matters to them.

Ahead of the festival’s 25th anniversary in October, Clones Film Festival will present ‘Trad’, a lively coming of age comedy drama in Clones Courthouse at 9:30pm.

Culture Night (Oíche Chultúir) is an annual all-island public event that celebrates creativity, the arts, and local culture with free late-night activities. It is supported by the Arts Council and local authorities nationwide.