Brought to you by Laois Tourism
This weekend it’s all about culture with Culture Night in full force around the county this Friday night with 26 different events planned.
The Arts Office in Laois Co Council have really put together an amazing evening in almost every part of the county. All events are free so come out and experience all that culture has to offer in Laois at so many different levels.
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 20
Michael Harding: On Tuesdays I’m a Buddhist
Join best-selling writer and raconteur Michael Harding as he reads from his latest memoir, ruminates on the difference between psychotherapy and religion, and relates the story of his pilgrimage to Skellig Michael, in his ongoing search for meaning. Critically acclaimed as searingly honest, funny and self-deprecating, Michael is a joy to listen to.
Check him out at the Dunamaise Arts Centre at 8pm and tickets cost €20.00. For more information see here or 057 866 3355.
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 14
Burning Bullet – Live Music
Check out Kavanagh’s Bar & Venue and this great band this Friday night. Doors open at 9pm and tickets are €9.50.
Culture Night
You are spoilt for choice on how to spend your Friday night. Culture Night is a national run event to celebrate all elements of our culture nationwide and with 26 events Laois is well represented. Below is a synopsis of the events are running for Culture Night and all events are free. For more information on any event see here , contact 057 8664033/13 or email artsoff@laoiscoco.ie.
Circus Street Theatre performance and Circus Skills Workshop by Maria Corcoran and friends. The Plaza, County Hall, Portlaoise, 4.30pm-5.30pm
Explore Cultural Connections, Music, song and dance displays by intercultural groups Parish Centre. Portlaoise from 6pm-8pm
Exhibition ‘A Painted Otherworld’, A group exhibition at the Dunamaise Arts Centre curated by Rebecca Deegan at Dunmaise Arts Centre at 7pm
Visual Arts, Free Bus Tour. Bus Tour will leave from Portlaoise to visit the rural setting of Roundwood House, Mountrath to view the Pop up Exhibition by artist Jen Donnery. Bus leaving from outside Laois County Council Office. Booking Essential. Leave 4.30pm return 6.30pm
Portlaoise Comhaltas – Free trial music lesson. Try out a traditional Irish Music including accordion, banjo, bodhrán, concertina, fiddle, flute, harp, mandolin, uilleann pipes and whistle. St Francis School, New Rd at 6pm-7pm
Writers Showcase. Laois Writers Group will host a Writers Showcase to include local and visiting writers. All welcome to bring work to share Portlaoise Library 7.30pm
Laois Youth Dance Ensemble. Photography exhibition, Film and Free dance trial at Ensemble Dance Studio. 7pm-8pm
Mountmellick Embroidery. Embroidery exhibition from the Portlaoise group. Parish Centre 7.30pm-9.30pm
James O’Connor Singer-Songwriter. Performance by singer songwriter James O’Connor and his band Dunmaise Arts Centre. Booking essential 9pm.
Stories from the Past. Children from schools in Laois will read stories collected during the schools collection initiative in the 1930s plus their new stories. Includes a guest speaker for the National Folklore Collection. Heritage House, Abbeyleix. 6pm
Arles Art Group exhibition of Arts and Crafts. All exhibits will be the work of members who meet every Monday for classes. Music & refreshments served. Community Hall, Arles 8pm-10pm.
Pop Up Gaeltacht. An informal evening of chat as Gaeilge with cupán tae nó caifé. An Sean Chistin, Ballyfin 8pm-10pm.
Tours of Donaghmore Famine Workhouse. Led by Trevor Stanley will explore the history of the famine in Laois. Donaghmore Famine Workhouse 6pm-8pm.
Fold and Rise. A conversation around women, labour, politics and culture in our time and in the time since Constance Markievicz. Castlewood Farm, Durrow 7.30pm-9.30pm.
Exhibition and Free Guided Tour of Emo Court “Enjoy a guided tour of the beautiful Emo Court including the photography exhibition “Through the Eyes of Father Browne”, Emo Court 6pm tour and 7pm tour.
The Ashling Art Group will exhibit their work at the Gallery. Mountmellick Library open all day -Library hours.
Music with the residents and friends of St. Vincent’s Community Nursing Unit in Mountmellick. From 6pm- 7pm
The Best of the Irish. Join us for 90 mins of non-stop entertainment from the best of local talent. Balcony Cinema, Mountmellick 8pm-9.30pm
Puppet Show and Storytime. Family show with Julie Rose McCormick. Portarlington Library 3.30pm
“Open Studio” at Mount Henry Art Studio. Come and meet the artist Mary Slevin and experience life in an art studio. Mount Henry Art Studio, Killenard 9am-7pm.
Traditional Evening with Spink Comhaltas. Enjoy an evening of traditional Irish music, singing, storytelling, and dancing. Knock Community Hall 8pm-9.30pm
The Laois Arthouse. A specially commissioned exhibition in honour of Culture Night by Arthouse resident studio artists from Japan, UK and Ireland. The Laois Arthouse, Stradbally 5pm-8pm.
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 22
Knights of Leon
Manhattan Mixer is the place to be this Saturday night. Nightclub access and gig entry to see the super cover band Knights of Leon costs just €10.
Grapple Kings
Join the Grapple Kings for an evening of Nogi Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. The main event features two of the very best Grapplers in Europe, Kieran Davern (SBG Tullamore) Vs Brendan McGarry (BJJCork), going head to head in a 20 minute Nogi Subonly match for the Grapple Kings Middleweight Belt. Tickets are on sale for €40/€30 at The Dunamaise Arts Centre and begins at 5pm. For more information phone 057 866 3355.
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 23
Concert at St Peter’s Church
Two of Ireland’s finest traditional musicians – button accordionist Máirtín O’Connor and guitarist Séamie O’Dowd – accompany the living songbook and national treasure that is vocalist Maighread Ní Dhomhnail. This gig is presented by Music Generation Laois and the Laois Arts Office.
Tickets are on sale through the Dunamaise Arts Centre but the event takes place in the beautiful St Peter’s Church of Ireland in Portlaoise Tickets are €15/€12 and begins at 7pm For more information call 057 866 3355.
Slieve Bloom Walking Club Guided Walk
The Slieve Bloom Walking Club’s next guided walk is to Baunreagh. This walk is a 10km Grade A walk and takes 4 hours. Meeting point is Clonaslee Community Centre at 11am. €5 per walk or €20 annual membership. For more information see here.
If you would like to have something included in our What’s On Guide email us on info@laoistoday.ie or call 057 8670722.
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