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In Pictures: Laois Culture Night a huge success as programme records 17th year

Culture Night Main

The seventeenth edition of Culture Night took place at the end of September and contained an exciting programme of events.

The theme for Culture Night was ‘One Night for All-Oíche Dár Saol’.

It was the brainchild of the Arts Council and presented locally by Laois County Council Arts Office.

Culture Night 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.

Laois had a broad spectrum of events to enliven the county on the night of September 23.

A highlight of the evening was the official launch of ‘Protectour’ by Artist James Hayes.

The polished concrete & stainless steel sculpture references the footprint of the historic Old Fort, Portlaoise and the celebratory nature of sport and participation to mark the nearby O’Moore Park GAA grounds.

The seven smaller concrete forms represent the seven septs or clans of Laois; O’Devoy (O’Deevy), O’Doran, O’Dowling, McEvoy, O’Kelly, O’Lalor and O’Moore. Representatives of the seven clans are invited to come along for this event.

The large portal and the smaller forms represent a historic transfer of power in Laois. This artwork was commissioned under Open Competition by Laois County Council and funded by the Per Cent for Art scheme.

Photographer Michael Scully was around the county on the night and captured some great pictures.

Check them out below:

Niamh, Aoife and Eoin Hosey
Art teachers- Anna and Maria Rohovska – with participants, Della and Katie Mc Loughlin, Kieu Conroy, Mary Jo Faherty and Niamh Hosey

Families enjoying International Cuisine at Dunamaise Arts Centre on Culture Night. Photo: Michael Scully – no reproduction fee.

Nuala Kelly ( Music Generation Laois) with participants in Friday night’s Culture Night event in Portlaoise

Tommy Fitzharris ( flute) and Donal Mc Cague ( Fiddle ) playing

Karen Mc Hugh ( Laois Integration Network ), Oksana Breza and Taya Sydorova ( Laois Partnersip )
Sofia and David Kravets

Derry and Ivor Townsend and Aga Wypychowska

Sofia and David Kravets
Nuala Kelly( Music Generation Laois) watches as Andrea and Luca Sacchi
Krzysztof and Emil
Modelling teacher, Sasha with her class, at Friday night’s Culture Night event in Music Generation Laois Centre, Portlaoise. Photo: Michael Scully – no reproduction fee.
Allen Scully ( Fado Faces Artist ) with his class as they sketch councillers- Aidan Mullins and John Joe Fennelly
Bolaji Adeyanju , Hope Igie, Kemi Adekunle and Donal Brennan ( Director of Services, Laois Co Council)

Ruta Maciuliene, Agota, Barbora, Arunas and Kristina Stankevicius, enjoying the International Cuisine event

Allen Scully ( Fado Faces Artist ) with Megan White and Mathew Coyle
Agnes Scully, Eliza and Katie Mc Loughlin and Clr.Aidan Mullins
Music Generation Laois harpists, taking part in the Concert at the Culture Night event in Dunamaise Art Centre.
Allen Scully ( Fado Faces Artist ) with councillers- Aidan Mullins and John Joe Fennelly and budding artists and their end results on the table
Clr. Thomasina Connell ( Cathaoirleach), Michelle de Forge ( Director, Dunamaise Arts Centre), Dan Bergin ( Laois PPN ) and Bolaji Adeyanju

Leah, Linda and Ella Meredith Scully, Niall Scully and Breda Meredith

Allen Scully ( Fado Faces Artist ) sketches Clr. John Joe Fennelly
a sketch of Clr. Aidan Mullins by Mathew Coyle
Aline Mentadeli and Nathan Ntsimar
Viewing the exhibition of Dance portraits by Terry Conroy at Dance Laois Hinds Square
Music Generation Laois harpists
Allen Scully ( Fado Faces Artist ) chatting with counciller John Joe Fennelly as he sketches him
Allen Scully ( Fado Faces Artist ) sketches counciller – Joe Fennelly

Allen Scully ( Fado Faces Artist ) sketches counciller John Joe Fennelly

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