Lots to get literary about on Culture Night

There are a host of events for book lovers to enjoy on Culture Night tomorrow, Friday, September 19th, not least in Merrion Square, Dublin, where The Irish Times is hosting Downstairs Dublin, from 5pm to 10pm, a unique evening of installations, talks and events in the basement areas of some of Ireland’s most elegant Georgian houses.

Eileen Battersby, Literary Correspondent of The Irish Times, will be holding a question and answer session at 5pm in 45 Merrion Square, and readers will also be invited to take part in a literary lucky dip, and walk away with a book to add to their collection. We have a host of books to be handed out to audience members. Conor Pope will select people to come down and get a book wrapped in newspaper, with a coloured sticker to indicate the genre, from acting librarian and assistant literary editor Martin Doyle.  Some books have theatre and concert tickets inside as an extra. Lucky ones will open their book and be videod by Conor Pope who will then tweet that.

Here is a selection of other literary events around the country tomorrow night.

Sweny’s Pharmacy, Dublin

Sweny’s will be open late for readings and fun. Reading for Children at 5pm and 6pm followed by Dubliners at 7pm and 8pm, with everyone welcome to see this very special part of old Dublin immortalised by James Joyce in his novel, Ulysses.

National Library of Ireland

Visitors can view the magnificent reading room, explore the exhibitions, meet the staff and learn about the library; enjoy a special plate accompanied by music and readings in the cafe; and meet the conservators to learn about the conservation of the Pearse papers.

James Joyce House of the Dead

Visit the James Joyce House of the Dead and watch as staff handprint onto handmade paper the centenary edition of Joyce’s The Dead on a Victorian press. This heirloom has a life specification of 400 years with the owners’ name printed with ash from the last fire lit in the house in 1892. John Huston’s film, The Dead, will also be screened throughout the day.

Hodges Figgis

Hodges Figgis will keep its doors open late to showcase the breadth of Irish culture. This will include a signing by author Derek Landy, the St Patrick’s Cathedral Boys Choir and a range of literary events presented in association with Poetry Ireland.

Lilliput Press

Lilliput Press invites book lovers, Stoneybatter lovers and weary walkers to linger, rest, read and chat in their wonderful, little publishing house. With a comfortable couch and interesting books people will be able to peruse the night away.

Irish Writers Centre

The Irish Writers Centre is hosting an evening of fun for all ages. The Children’s Books Ireland Book Doctor will be offering advice and prescribing new reads for younger readers. There will also be an open mic session for writers of children’s and young adult fiction, and special guests Kevin Barry, Louise Phillips, Shirley McClure, Geraldine Mitchell, Daniel Seery, Paula Leyden and Nicola Pearce.

Christ Church Cathedral Church

Families are invited to Christ Church Cathedral to experience the medieval 12th-century Crypt, where they will offer storytelling for children from the Nightmare Club.

Dún Laoghaire Library / Moran Park

Visit Dún Laoghaire Library and Moran Park for the Incredible Magic Book Show by Sillybilly to explore the world of books and how libraries actually work, and will use our imagination and a little bit of magic to make your favourite books come alive on stage!

Ten-Minute Tales at UCC School of English

UCC’s School of English will present 10-minute introductions to some of the world’s most celebrated writers and texts in a literature extravaganza. Exploring everything from the Vikings to American novelists to Irish film, these bite-sized Tales offer something for everyone.

Cork International Short Story Festival at City Hall Millennium Hall

Cork International Short Story Festival presents an evening of readings, including Young Cork Poets presented by John Sexton; Louise O’Neill reading for young adults; and a Cork Literary Miscellany reading.

The full national programme can be viewed at culturenight.ie