Culture Night/Oíche Chultúir is a national moment, celebrating culture, creativity and the arts.
It 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 happening until late on Friday.
The official launch of ‘Fragments of Time and Space,’ a cast terrazzo sculpture and bench created by artist David Beattie took place at its permanent home, outside the Library on Main Street Portlaoise.
The sculpture was created in response to the musical tradition of Portlaoise and as part of the new Cultural Quarter and Library in the centre of Portlaoise.
The curved bench includes an inscription from Laois born writer Pat Boran ‘listen: the streets still dreaming us’ that further extends this invitation to listen.
Laois Africa Support Group hosted a staged performance through music and dance, poetry, storytelling and food at the Portlaoise Library.
In Dunamaise Arts Centre, there were a range of activities.
Photographer Alf Harvey was in Portlaoise on Friday and captured some great images.
Check them out:
DUNAMAISE ARTS CENTRE
Influencer and Digital Media Artist Mary-Claire Fitzpatrick pictured with Laura Dunne, Michelle de Forge, Lorraine O’Callaghan and Bill O’Brien on Culture Night at The Dunamise Arts Centre. Picture: Alf Harvey.Working with recycled cardboard during Culture Night at The Dunamise Arts Centre. Picture: Alf Harvey.Laura Dunne from the Dunamaise Arts Centre pictured with artist Greg Hallahan working with recycled cardboard during Culture Night at The Dunamise Arts Centre. Picture: Alf Harvey.David Graham working with recycled cardboard during Culture Night at The Dunamise Arts Centre. Picture: Alf Harvey.James Chuk and Angela Delaney at Culture Night in The Dunamise Arts Centre. Picture: Alf Harvey.Artist Greg Hallahan working with recycled cardboard during Culture Night at The Dunamise Arts Centre. Picture: Alf Harvey.Notify and guests who played on Culture Night at The Dunamise Arts Centre. Picture: Alf Harvey.Notify and guests who played on Culture Night pictured with Lorraine O’Callaghan from the Dunamaise Arts Centre at The Dunamise Arts Centre. Picture: Alf Harvey.Michelle de Forge from the Dunamaise Arts Centre with Paddy Critchley and Jackie Carter and Edel O’Keeffe at the launch of Paddy Critchley’s exhibition during Culture Night at The Dunamise Arts Centre. Picture: Alf Harvey.Laura Dunne, Lorraine O’Callaghan and Michelle de Forge from the Dunamaise Arts Centre with Paddy Critchley at the launch of Paddy Critchley’s exhibition during Culture Night at The Dunamise Arts Centre. Picture: Alf Harvey.The launch of Paddy Critchley’s exhibition during Culture Night at The Dunamise Arts Centre. Picture: Alf Harvey.Karen Nolan, Stephen Kenna and Danny Nolan at the launch of Paddy Critchley’s exhibition during Culture Night at The Dunamise Arts Centre. Picture: Alf Harvey.Mary O’Reilly, Lillan Copley and Jackie Critchley at the launch of Paddy Critchley’s exhibition during Culture Night at The Dunamise Arts Centre. Picture: Alf Harvey.Paddy with his grandmother Patty Critchley at the launch of Paddy Critchley’s exhibition during Culture Night at The Dunamise Arts Centre. Picture: Alf Harvey.Paddy with his family at the launch of Paddy Critchley’s exhibition during Culture Night at The Dunamise Arts Centre. Picture: Alf Harvey.Gillian Reidy and Gemma Corcoran at Culture Night in The Dunamise Arts Centre. Picture: Alf Harvey.Artist Paddy Critchley (right) with Arthur Rainbow, Susan Harpur and Bruce Yates launching Paddy’s exhibition during Culture Night at The Dunamise Arts Centre. Picture: Alf Harvey.Helen Flynn and Julie Kennedy at the launch of Paddy Critchley’s exhibition during Culture Night at The Dunamise Arts Centre. Picture: Alf Harvey.Aaron Harding, Edel O’Keeffe, Paddy Critchley and Kieran Tobin at the launch of Paddy Critchley’s exhibition during Culture Night at The Dunamise Arts Centre. Picture: Alf Harvey.DJ Stephen Keegan with Portlaoise Musical Society when launching ticket sales on Culture Night at The Dunamise Arts Centre for their sensational 2023 show. Picture: Alf Harvey.Portlaoise Musical Society committee members launch ticket sales on Culture Night at The Dunamise Arts Centre for their sensational 2023 show. Picture: Alf Harvey.Portlaoise Musical Society committee members launch ticket sales on Culture Night at The Dunamise Arts Centre for their sensational 2023 show. Picture: Alf Harvey.Portlaoise Musical Society launch ticket sales on Culture Night at The Dunamise Arts Centre for their sensational 2023 show. Picture: Alf Harvey.Portlaoise Musical Society launch ticket sales on Culture Night at The Dunamise Arts Centre for their sensational 2023 show. Picture: Alf Harvey.
Launch of ‘Fragments of Time and Space’
Artist David Beattie speaking at the official launch of ‘Fragments of Time and Space’, a cast terrazzo sculpture and bench created by artist David Beattie outside the Library on Main Street Portlaoise during Culture Night brought to you by The Arts Council in partnership with Laois County Council. Picture: Alf Harvey.Noel O’Brien, Maureen Bradley and Noel O’Brien junior at the official launch of ‘Fragments of Time and Space’, a cast terrazzo sculpture and bench created by artist David Beattie outside the Library on Main Street Portlaoise during Culture Night brought to you by The Arts Council in partnership with Laois County Council. Picture: Alf Harvey.Noel O’Brien, Maureen Bradley and Noel O’Brien junior at the official launch of ‘Fragments of Time and Space’, a cast terrazzo sculpture and bench created by artist David Beattie outside the Library on Main Street Portlaoise during Culture Night brought to you by The Arts Council in partnership with Laois County Council. Picture: Alf Harvey.Laois Arts Officer Muireann Ni Chonaill at the official launch of ‘Fragments of Time and Space’, a cast terrazzo sculpture and bench created by artist David Beattie outside the Library on Main Street Portlaoise during Culture Night brought to you by The Arts Council in partnership with Laois County Council. Picture: Alf Harvey.Anita playing at the official launch of ‘Fragments of Time and Space’, a cast terrazzo sculpture and bench created by artist David Beattie outside the Library on Main Street Portlaoise during Culture Night brought to you by The Arts Council in partnership with Laois County Council. Picture: Alf Harvey.Artist David Beattie with Curator Rina Whyte and County Librarian Bernie Foran at the official launch of ‘Fragments of Time and Space’, a cast terrazzo sculpture and bench created by artist David Beattie outside the Library on Main Street Portlaoise during Culture Night brought to you by The Arts Council in partnership with Laois County Council. Picture: Alf Harvey.Artist David Beattie with his family Anne Bradley and Luke Beattie at the official launch of ‘Fragments of Time and Space’, a cast terrazzo sculpture and bench created by artist David Beattie outside the Library on Main Street Portlaoise during Culture Night brought to you by The Arts Council in partnership with Laois County Council. Picture: Alf Harvey.Gerard Mulhall and Alan Flynn at the official launch of ‘Fragments of Time and Space’, a cast terrazzo sculpture and bench created by artist David Beattie outside the Library on Main Street Portlaoise during Culture Night brought to you by The Arts Council in partnership with Laois County Council. Picture: Alf Harvey.The official launch of ‘Fragments of Time and Space’, a cast terrazzo sculpture and bench created by artist David Beattie outside the Library on Main Street Portlaoise during Culture Night brought to you by The Arts Council in partnership with Laois County Council. Picture: Alf Harvey.Artist David Beattie at the official launch of ‘Fragments of Time and Space’, a cast terrazzo sculpture and bench created by artist David Beattie outside the Library on Main Street Portlaoise during Culture Night brought to you by The Arts Council in partnership with Laois County Council. Picture: Alf Harvey.David O’Hara, Head of Planning LCC; Angela McEvoy, Director of Services LCC; Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council Paschal McEvoy; Artist David Beattie; Curator Rina Whyte; LCC Chief Executive John Mulholland and Laois Arts Officer Muireann Ni Chonaill at the official launch of ‘Fragments of Time and Space’, a cast terrazzo sculpture and bench created by artist David Beattie outside the Library on Main Street Portlaoise during Culture Night brought to you by The Arts Council in partnership with Laois County Council. Picture: Alf Harvey.Myriam and Alex Bergin with Pingo at the official launch of ‘Fragments of Time and Space’, a cast terrazzo sculpture and bench created by artist David Beattie outside the Library on Main Street Portlaoise during Culture Night brought to you by The Arts Council in partnership with Laois County Council. Picture: Alf Harvey.David O’Hara, Head of Planning LCC; Angela McEvoy, Director of Services LCC; Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council Paschal McEvoy; Artist David Beattie; Curator Rina Whyte; LCC Chief Executive John Mulholland and Laois Arts Officer Muireann Ni Chonaill at the official launch of ‘Fragments of Time and Space’, a cast terrazzo sculpture and bench created by artist David Beattie outside the Library on Main Street Portlaoise during Culture Night brought to you by The Arts Council in partnership with Laois County Council. Picture: Alf Harvey.
Ukrainian Choir at Portlaoise Library
The Ukrainian Choir performing at the official launch of ‘Fragments of Time and Space’, a cast terrazzo sculpture and bench created by artist David Beattie outside the Library on Main Street Portlaoise during Culture Night brought to you by The Arts Council in partnership with Laois County Council. Picture: Alf Harvey.The Ukrainian Choir performing at the official launch of ‘Fragments of Time and Space’, a cast terrazzo sculpture and bench created by artist David Beattie outside the Library on Main Street Portlaoise during Culture Night brought to you by The Arts Council in partnership with Laois County Council. Picture: Alf Harvey.The Ukrainian Choir performing at the official launch of ‘Fragments of Time and Space’, a cast terrazzo sculpture and bench created by artist David Beattie outside the Library on Main Street Portlaoise during Culture Night brought to you by The Arts Council in partnership with Laois County Council. Picture: Alf Harvey.The Ukrainian Choir performing at the official launch of ‘Fragments of Time and Space’, a cast terrazzo sculpture and bench created by artist David Beattie outside the Library on Main Street Portlaoise during Culture Night brought to you by The Arts Council in partnership with Laois County Council. Picture: Alf Harvey.
Laois African Support Group
Alex and Myriam Bergin with Pingo enjoying the entertainment at the Laois Africa Support Group staged performance through music and dance, poetry, storytelling and food at the Portlaoise Library during Culture Night brought to you by The Arts Council in partnership with Laois County Council. Picture: Alf Harvey.The Laois Africa Support Group staged performance through music and dance, poetry, storytelling and food at the Portlaoise Library during Culture Night brought to you by The Arts Council in partnership with Laois County Council. Picture: Alf Harvey.Samuel Adekoya and Bolaji Adeyanju at the Laois Africa Support Group staged performance through music and dance, poetry, storytelling and food at the Portlaoise Library during Culture Night brought to you by The Arts Council in partnership with Laois County Council. Picture: Alf Harvey.Chairman Bolaji Adeyanju at the Laois Africa Support Group staged performance through music and dance, poetry, storytelling and food at the Portlaoise Library during Culture Night brought to you by The Arts Council in partnership with Laois County Council. Picture: Alf Harvey.The Laois Africa Support Group staged performance through music and dance, poetry, storytelling and food at the Portlaoise Library during Culture Night brought to you by The Arts Council in partnership with Laois County Council. Picture: Alf Harvey.Sam Adekoya, Kemi Adekunle, Rachel Hoban, Portlaoise Librarian; Bernie Foran, Laois County Librarian; Bolaji Adeyanju, chairman of Laois African Support Group; Kemi Adeyemi and Sandra Adeyanju at the Laois Africa Support Group staged performance through music and dance, poetry, storytelling and food at the Portlaoise Library during Culture Night brought to you by The Arts Council in partnership with Laois County Council. Picture: Alf Harvey.Drumming at the Laois Africa Support Group staged performance through music and dance, poetry, storytelling and food at the Portlaoise Library during Culture Night brought to you by The Arts Council in partnership with Laois County Council. Picture: Alf Harvey.The Al-Rahman Youth Group from the Islamic Cultural Centre of Ireland, from left: Sila Sezi, Tara O’Dwyer, Masuma Dawood and Sara Geraldine Rasool at the Laois Africa Support Group staged performance through music and dance, poetry, storytelling and food at the Portlaoise Library during Culture Night brought to you by The Arts Council in partnership with Laois County Council. Picture: Alf Harvey.Samuel Adekoya performing at the Laois Africa Support Group staged performance through music and dance, poetry, storytelling and food at the Portlaoise Library during Culture Night brought to you by The Arts Council in partnership with Laois County Council. Picture: Alf Harvey.Kemi Adeyemi drumming at the Laois Africa Support Group staged performance through music and dance, poetry, storytelling and food at the Portlaoise Library during Culture Night brought to you by The Arts Council in partnership with Laois County Council. Picture: Alf Harvey.
