Laois culture night promises vibrant artistic celebration
Culture Night 2026 united Laois communities for an inspiring evening of artistic expression and heritage appreciation. With diverse free events across towns, the county showcased music, dance, theatre, visual art, and heritage in unique venues, celebrating local creativity and spirit.
Source:
Laois County Council
•
⏱️ 3 min read
Culture Night 2026 in Laois brought together towns and villages for a memorable evening filled with creativity and community spirit. Held on Friday 18 September, the event offered a rich programme of free activities spanning music, dance, film, theatre, visual arts, spoken word, craft, and heritage, inviting people of all ages to engage with the county’s vibrant cultural life beyond usual hours.
From Abbeyleix to Stradbally, numerous locations hosted captivating experiences. Abbeyleix Library featured "Undercurrent," an exhibition by NCAD artists Gillian Adams and Sally-Anne Cahill exploring the interplay between historical textiles, clothing, freedom, and nature. Ballylinan’s St Anne’s Hall celebrated with the Eva Pannett School of Irish Dancing alongside local musicians and singers, while Castletown illuminated the Slí Shibhéal Walkway with light and live performances courtesy of Castletown Tidy Towns.
Dance performances added dynamic energy, with Bubblelock’s "The One" at Castletown Community Centre uniting youth dancers from Laois Youth Dance Ensemble with professionals in a piece reflecting memory, belief, and hope. Dunamaise Arts Centre hosted Kathak artist Moumita Pal’s interdisciplinary show "Across the Sea," inspired by Yeats and Tagore, featuring original music by Sagnik Chakraborty. Film and heritage were celebrated in Clonad through an Irish-language drama evening, while Donaghmore’s historic Corn Mill and Kiln offered a glimpse into restoration efforts and local heritage.
Music enthusiasts enjoyed diverse concerts, from classical performances by pianist David Vesey and flautist Martina Rosaria O’Connell at Emo Court to traditional Irish sessions with Mountmellick Comhaltas and folk gatherings in Rosenallis featuring Emer Dunne, Derek Dunne, and Aidan Connolly. Portarlington buzzed with creative activities including spinning demonstrations, a Culture Night Crawl, and lively street performances.
Portlaoise served as a cultural hub with Youth Open Mic events, a Men’s Shed Ukulele Session, and inclusive celebrations of music, dance, poetry, and visual arts at St Fintan’s Campus. Dunamaise Arts Centre also presented a varied programme encompassing film, theatre, musical theatre, dance, and spoken word, spotlighting Ukrainian musician Taras Kompanichenko and featuring local performers such as John Doheny and Kevin Lalor Fitzpatrick.
Stradbally’s Laois Arthouse Gallery and Studios opened "Clodhoppers," an exhibition by artist Niamh Coffey exploring ecological themes, folklore, and myth through diverse media. This edition of Culture Night marked one of the most extensive and vibrant in Laois, supported by Laois County Council, Laois Arts Office, Creative Ireland Laois, and the Arts Council. The event celebrated the county’s rich artistic talent and communal spirit, with producer Marina Rafter praised for curating a dynamic and inclusive cultural programme.
From Abbeyleix to Stradbally, numerous locations hosted captivating experiences. Abbeyleix Library featured "Undercurrent," an exhibition by NCAD artists Gillian Adams and Sally-Anne Cahill exploring the interplay between historical textiles, clothing, freedom, and nature. Ballylinan’s St Anne’s Hall celebrated with the Eva Pannett School of Irish Dancing alongside local musicians and singers, while Castletown illuminated the Slí Shibhéal Walkway with light and live performances courtesy of Castletown Tidy Towns.
Dance performances added dynamic energy, with Bubblelock’s "The One" at Castletown Community Centre uniting youth dancers from Laois Youth Dance Ensemble with professionals in a piece reflecting memory, belief, and hope. Dunamaise Arts Centre hosted Kathak artist Moumita Pal’s interdisciplinary show "Across the Sea," inspired by Yeats and Tagore, featuring original music by Sagnik Chakraborty. Film and heritage were celebrated in Clonad through an Irish-language drama evening, while Donaghmore’s historic Corn Mill and Kiln offered a glimpse into restoration efforts and local heritage.
Music enthusiasts enjoyed diverse concerts, from classical performances by pianist David Vesey and flautist Martina Rosaria O’Connell at Emo Court to traditional Irish sessions with Mountmellick Comhaltas and folk gatherings in Rosenallis featuring Emer Dunne, Derek Dunne, and Aidan Connolly. Portarlington buzzed with creative activities including spinning demonstrations, a Culture Night Crawl, and lively street performances.
Portlaoise served as a cultural hub with Youth Open Mic events, a Men’s Shed Ukulele Session, and inclusive celebrations of music, dance, poetry, and visual arts at St Fintan’s Campus. Dunamaise Arts Centre also presented a varied programme encompassing film, theatre, musical theatre, dance, and spoken word, spotlighting Ukrainian musician Taras Kompanichenko and featuring local performers such as John Doheny and Kevin Lalor Fitzpatrick.
Stradbally’s Laois Arthouse Gallery and Studios opened "Clodhoppers," an exhibition by artist Niamh Coffey exploring ecological themes, folklore, and myth through diverse media. This edition of Culture Night marked one of the most extensive and vibrant in Laois, supported by Laois County Council, Laois Arts Office, Creative Ireland Laois, and the Arts Council. The event celebrated the county’s rich artistic talent and communal spirit, with producer Marina Rafter praised for curating a dynamic and inclusive cultural programme.
0 views