Culture Night is a national celebration of arts and culture, taking place across Ireland in September each year.
Culture Night / Oíche Chultúir is brought to you by the Arts Council. It 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. It is delivered nationwide in cities, towns, villages and rural locations as well as online and through our media partners. MTU is delighted to present a series of events and activities for Culture Night 2025, taking place in venues and spaces across the Southwest region on our campuses in Cork and Kerry and with partner organisations.
Culture Night at MTU - Friday September 19th 2025
MTU is an arts-rich technological University and has an exciting programme of activities on September 19th as part of the national Culture Night celebrations. With a 6-campus footprint across the Southwest region and projects also taking place in partner venues there is a lot to choose from. Music, performance, astronomy, art as activism, workshops, spoken word, creative conversations, visual art, film, STEAM, campus tours and concerts. Bígí Linn!
_____________________________________________
MTU Bishopstown Campus
What: Culture Night at MTU Bishopstown Campus
Where: James Barry Exhibition Centre, MTU Bishopstown Campus, Cork, T12 P928
When: Friday 19th September
Times: 17:00-21:00
Description:
EXHIBITION: Celebrating the rich legacy and cultural impact of MTU alumni, MTU Arts Office supported by the Arts Council presents an exhibition of works by MTU Crawford College of Art & Design (CCAD) alumni in the Arts Council Collection. This exhibition features artworks by MTU alumni acquired by the Arts Council over the last few decades – Maud Cotter, Joy Gerrard, Vicky Langan and Maximilian Le Cain, Breda Lynch, Niamh McCann, Yvonne McGuinness, Kevin Mooney, Pádraig Spillane, and Jesse Jones. The exhibition in James Barry Exhibition Centre is part of a multi-venue exhibition presented across MTU campuses, including MTU Gallery at 46 Grand Parade and MTU Tralee North Campus Library, that showcases works by eighteen alumni.
Experience the excitement of screen printing in this interactive workshop led by facilitator Annie Forrester. Participants will have the opportunity to create their own custom-designed tote bag using this traditional printing method, layering ink through a mesh screen to produce bold and striking designs.
This drop-in session is open to all and requires no previous experience—just bring your creativity. With 200 tote bags available on the night, you’ll leave with a practical and artistic keepsake that you’ve made yourself as part of Culture Night .
Discover the art of handmade cards in this creative workshop with facilitator Ava Hayes. Over the course of an hour, participants will learn step-by-step techniques to design and decorate unique greeting cards, experimenting with color, texture, and composition.
With a maximum of 12 participants per session, this workshop offers a small-group setting where each person can enjoy individual guidance and the chance to explore their creativity. Perfect for anyone who enjoys crafts, design, or simply making something meaningful by hand.
Booking is essential, as places are limited so email artsoffice@mtu.ie to book!
For more details see - arts.mtu.ie
Email artsoffice@mtu.ie to reserve a place on the workshops. Limited spaces available.
MTU Blackrock Castle Observatory
What: Culture Night at MTU Blackrock Castle Observatory
Where: MTU Blackrock Castle Observatory, Castle Rd., Blackrock, Cork City, T12 YW52
When: Friday 19th September
Times: 6-9pm
Join us at MTU Blackrock Castle Observatory for Culture Night as we celebrate all things astronomy and castle history related.
Presentations, Workshops, Stargazing and Exhibits!
Get a glimpse of the night sky with astronomy presentations
Explore heritage, space and astronomy exhibits, featuring models of cultural and astronomical significance
Enjoy family friendly and fun workshops inspired by space
Explore the universe from the courtyard where our good friends at Cork Astronomy Club will host a live stargazing session*
Booking is not required, but presentations will be offered on a first-come-first served basis with limited capacity, so please arrive early.
*Please note that the astronomy session is subject to suitable weather conditions and may not proceed in the event of inclement weather.
Time: 6pm - 9pm, with courtyard observing till 10pm
MTU Cork School of Music
What: Culture Night at CSM - Concerts, exhibitions, and building tours
Where: MTU Cork School of Music, Union Quay, Cork City, T12 E9HY.
When: Friday 19th September
Times: 18:30 – 22:00
Pause Exhibition feat works by Fiona McEvoy | Foyer | All Day
Curated by a voluntary committee, pause. is a platform for local artists, collectives and groups to showcase their work, creativity and imagination to the general public. Situated on the ground floor of MTU Cork School of Music, the space hosts approximately ten visual art exhibitions each year between September and June, representing a wide range of styles, techniques, and artforms.
Classical Music Recital | Curtis Auditorium, 18:30 - 19:30
Featuring: Sophie Dufeutrelle (flute), CAFE flute ensemble, Hifilutin' flute quartet
Sophie Dufeutrelle, a highly experienced teacher, flute player and composer, the quality and originality of her work and the enthusiasm she generates in flutists, have earned her international recognition. She is regularly invited to conservatoires, universities and conventions around the world. She is the author of many works for flute, introducing musicians of all ages to inventiveness and creativity in music. Her repertoire delights in musical pleasure, improvisation, listening and group play.
Hifilutin' quartet is made up of Cork based musicians; Eilís O’ Sullivan, Aoife O’Donovan, Katrina Emtage & Maria Mulcahy on piccolo, flute, alto flute, bass flute and contrabass flute. Hiflutin are renowned for their performances in which they highlight new original works for flute quartet as well as delivering well-known classical masterpieces and popular programmes.
CAFE - Cork’s Amazing Flute Ensemble is made up of amateur and professional flute players from all over Cork City and county who enjoy making music together and share a passion for the flute in all its forms.
Theatre & Drama Showcase, excerpts of Trad & Warm Regards | Stack Theatre, 19:00 - 20:00
Graduates of MTU Cork School of Music Leon Danza and Sinéad Crowley present excerpts of two new exciting shows.
TRAD
Loose Canon is a new theatre company formed by graduates of the MTU CSM Theatre and Drama Degree. They will share a short excerpt of their new show Trad which runs in the Cat Club in October, directed by BATDS graduate Leon Danza.
Trad, a short but epic voyage, follows the relationship of a one-hundred-year-old Irishman and his father, in a surreal comedy that looks at the value of tradition. Da, an ancient widower, berates his son Thomas for failing to provide a son to continue the family line. But Thomas has a secret, dating back seventy years to an unforgettable night of passion with Mary, that resulted in the very thing his Da is looking for… The full showing of Trad will run at Cork Arts Theatre from October 8th - 11th.
WARM REGARDS
Graduate of Theatre Degree at the MTU CSM Sinéad Crowley and collaborator Alison Teahen present a short excerpt of the new play Warm Regards. The show will run in the CAT club later in September as part of CATALYST, a collaboration between Cork Arts Theatre and The Everyman.
Set in Cork with Cork voices, and featuring several graduates of the MTU CSM Warm Regards speaks directly to modern Irish women, tackling themes of beauty standards, aging, sexual agency and the emotional labour of being “the good friend.” The emotional intimacy and real-life dialogue offer a mirror for audiences to see themselves: their friendships, their disappointments, their laughter and their contradictions.
The full showing of Warm Regards will run at Cork Arts Theatre from September 24th - 27th. Book tickets here. Free Admission | No Booking Require
"Songs for Shelley" | Curtis Auditorium, 21:00 - 22:00
To mark Culture Night 2025, the Fleischmann Choir will present "Songs for Shelley", a recital given in memory of Michèle de Foubert, a founding member of the choir for over thirty years. Accompanied by a 25-piece orchestra and directed by Tom Doyle, the free evening concert will feature popular choral works by composers such as Vivaldi, Verdi and Mozart, and include the option for audience participation!
What: Culture Night at 46 Grand Parade with Exhibitions, Films, Workshops and More
Where: 46 Grand Parade, Cork City, T12 VN56
When: Friday 19th September
Times: 17:00 - 20:45
MTU Gallery at 46 Grand Parade hosts an exhibition of works from the Arts Council of Ireland’s Art Collection, by MTU Crawford College of Art & Design Alumni, acquired by the Arts Council from the artists over the last 2 decades see more details on - arts.mtu.ie.
View Crawford Supported Studios compelling portraits on film co-created with photographer/filmmaker Clare Keogh. For more info on these artists see - crawfordsupportedstudios.com.
Media Communications work on view in the microGALLERY, and Studio 2 - offers a glimpse into some of the rich and varied animation works produced by students from the BA (Hons) in Animation, Visual FX and Motion Design at the MTU Kerry campus. For additional information on the BA (Hons) in Animation, Visual FX and Motion Design at the Kerry campus: www.mtu.ie/courses/mt811/ and cmitmtukerry.com
Creativity & Change is a Global Citizenship Education programme situated at MTU Crawford Grand Parade. Journey through the building to explore interactive art installations promoting global justice, designed by our 'Hive' network of collaborators. Instagram @creativityandchange.
Hive Against the Machine: An interrogation of power and a vision for more just and joyful futures with Creativity & Change and a selection of
our 'Hive' of collaborating artists.
Studio 1:
Pleasure Activism
Aleesha Wiegandt and Zoe McKenna
Pleasure Activism invites you to dive into pleasure and joy as a social justice lens through which to see the world. Expect creative activities and thought-provoking conversations.
Studio 3:
Say No to the Algo/The Misinformation Machine
Ashley Moloney and Bhakti Chauhan
Explore how algorithms drive bias, visibility and misinformation. Join Ashley and Bakhti for zine making, interactive activities and The Misinformation Machine - a playful quiz that examines how to unpack what we see online.
Studio 4:
'As You Are'
Fionnula O' Connell
Exhibition of paintings exploring identity, beauty and presence.
Rational Economic Man
Vicky Donelly/Financial Justice Ireland
Examine the qualities of a 'rational economic man' and what he has to offer the world we live in.
Brat: Flags for Peace
Hazel Hurley and Claire Coughlan
Design new flags and make badges to promote a peaceful world.
Bridging Worlds
Rebecca Ryan
An intertactive installation highlighting those who have been forced to leave their homes and asking you to consider what you would take in that situation.
Lecture Room
Panlap - A Blood Diamond Documentary (21 minute loop) 18+
Young Voices of Africa
Created as part of Creativity & Change and Young Voices of Africa's Talent Into Action project, this 20 minute documentary sheds light on the experiences of the victims and survivors of the 1991-2002 Blood Diamond Civil War in Sierra Leone. This is their story, truth and a call to action for global awareness and change.
Please be aware that this film mentions war and shows people affected by violence and as a result this showing is for age 18+ only.
MTU Tralee North Campus Library
What: Culture Night at 46 Grand Parade with Exhibitions, more tbc
Where: MTU Tralee North Campus Library
When: Friday 19th September
Times: 10:00 – 17:00
Start your CULTURE NIGHT early with a visit to COLLECTED EXPRESSION Exhibition.
An exhibition celebrating the rich legacy and cultural impact of MTU alumni, MTU Arts Office supported by the Arts Council presents an exhibition of works by MTU Crawford College of Art & Design (CCAD) alumni in the Arts Council Collection. This exhibition features artworks by MTU alumni acquired by the Arts Council over the last few decades – Austen Ivers, Brian Kenndy & Amanda Rice. The exhibition in MTU Tralee North Campus Library is part of a multi-venue exhibition presented across MTU campuses, including MTU Gallery at 46 Grand Parade and James Barry Exhibition Centre, that showcases works by eighteen alumni.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
