RTÉ Celebrates Culture Night this Friday September 20, broadcasting on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player from 8pm on Friday evening. Denise Chaila presents a curated array of exclusives celebrating the richness of Irish culture, with performances that promise to captivate audiences nationwide.

Coming from The Round Room in Dublin’s Mansion House, this special programme interweaves an eclectic lineup of performances. The evening includes a highlight that has been years in the making with musician David Gray embarking on a dream voyage to Skellig Michael, accompanied by his longtime friend Colm Mac Con Iomaíre. This journey, supported by the OPW and The National Parks and Wildlife Service, is one which Gray has envisioned for decades. Skellig Michael inspired both the title and cover art of his latest album and is described by Gray as being “nothing short of magical.” 

The cultural celebration continues with a dynamic performance from Leitrim’s Edwina Guckian, along with Mohammad Syfkhan and Ultan O’Brien, who provide the soundtrack for traditional dancing at the crossroads in Effrinagh. From the energy of punk in Derry with performances from Spider and Cherym, to breathtaking aerial circus acts from Ballydehob in West Cork to innovative street dance displays high in the treetops of Avondale, Wicklow, this program showcases the extraordinary breadth of artistic expression across Ireland.

Adding to the night’s musical offerings, the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, conducted by David Brophy, delivers a series of orchestral explorations with special guest vocalists Villagers, Niamh Regan, New Jackson, and Joe Chester with Gemma Hayes, creating a symphonic feast for the ears.

Join RTÉ, supported by the Art’s Council, on Culture Night 2024 for an extraordinary celebration of Irish and international culture, talent, and creativity.

-ENDS-   

Date:  19 September 2024

Press Officer, TV, Radio and Online: Sharon Sorohan

Link to Images: 
RTÉ Culture Night 

See below for other Culture Night activities across RTÉ 

On RTÉ Radio 1 Join Seán Rocks for a Culture Night Arena Special live from the Mermaid Arts Centre in Bray, featuring engaging live music, chat and performances.  (7pm on Friday 20th September). Tune into a very special Sunday Miscellany: Culture Night at Áras an Uachtaráin which was recorded ahead of time and hosted by President Higgins and Sabina Higgins. This programme will feature writers Donal Ryan, Aingeala Flannery, Manchán Magan, Mia Doring, singers Clare Sands and Dónal Clancy, and many more.  (Sunday 22nd September at 9.10pm)

On RTÉ 2FM Join RTÉ 2FM for an unmissable night of live music in the Róisín Dubh Galway with a selection of some of the most exciting Irish music from former and current 2FM Rising acts, including Big Sleep, Chubby Cat, Brad Heidi and Shiv. 2FM’s Tracy Clifford will be live from the Roisín Dubh from 12-3pm, before handing over to Beta Da Silva who will host a 3-hour live broadcast from the event from 7pm on RTÉ 2fm.

On RTE lyric fm (Friday) lyric presents Ambient Orbit, a live event on Culture Night at Trinity College, Dublin in partnership with the Douglas Hyde Gallery. With a mix of field recordings, ambient music, live musical performances from Rachael Lavelle & Ryan Hargadon, Seamas Hyland and Kim V. Porcelli, and bespoke visuals from Tadhg O’Sullivan, this will be an open Culture Night event in the heart of Dublin – a space for attendees to take time to immerse themselves in music and environmental sound and imagery. Ambient Orbit offers a calm oasis within Culture Night – one of the busiest days of the year in the cities and towns of Ireland.  (Ambient Orbit live on RTÉ lyric fm from 10pm.)

Ar Raidío na Gaeltachta Ar Raidío na Gaeltachta beidh an Clár Cuireadh Chun Ceoil le Peadar Ó Riada a chraoltar ar an Aoine ó 7pm – 9pm ag díriú ar an Oíche Chultúir, idir cheoltóírí, amhránaithe agus grúpaí ceoil atá báite sa traidisiún gaelach.

Beidh an clár nua Pé Scéal É atá dírithe ar an óige ar an gcraic agus ar scléip na deireadh seachtaine agus a bheidh dá chur i láthair ag Máire Treasa Ní Dhubhghaill 3pm – 5pm gach Aoine, ag díriú ar imeachtaí neamhghnáthach an oíche Chultúir. Beidh Ambasadóirí an Oíche Chultúir leo, Stiofán Ó Fearail ón ngrúpa Seo Linn, Edwina Guckian – Damhsóir agus Sexy Tadhg a bhfuil cliú agus cáil air as an seó bríomhar a chuirean sé ar fáil, agus a bhí le feiceáil agus féilte agus ionaid eile ceoil ar fud na tíre i gcaitheamh an tsamhradh.

Agus Beidh na cláacha Irise; Iris Aniar, Barrscéalta agus An Saol Ó Dheas ag cur eolais ar fáil faoin iliomad imeachtaí a bheidh ar siúl ina gcuid ceantair fhéi

RTÉ Culture online (www.rte.ie/culture) will also be guest edited for the occasion by acclaimed visual artist Aideen Barry – for a limited period, the site will also play host to Aideen’s stunning stop-motion feature film Klostės, making it available for all to watch online. RTÉ Culture will also feature the best of RTÉ’s Culture Night content above on www.rte.ie/Culture and catch up with Culture Night celebrations nationwide.

Culture Night is supported by RTÉ Supporting the Arts.

RTÉ Celebrates Culture Night is supported by the Arts Council.

RTÉ Celebrates Culture Night was produced by Born Optimistic.