MY CULTURE NIGHT: GALWAY:My first experience of a Culture Night was many years in Rome. Not realising, nor having heard of, La Notte Bianca which was in full swing on the night I arrived in the appropriately named Eternal City. La Notte Bianca continued throughout the night and into the following morning and was embraced by the people of Rome.

It was great to see the city opens its doors, close down city centre streets for a great celebration with tens of thousands of people staying up throughout the night. It is wonderful to see Irelands Culture Night developing more and more each year.

I am looking forward to seeing people on a trail through various parts of Galway City to experience what is on offer and in particular I am looking forward to the screening of Alan Gilsenans documentary Tom Murphy - ‘Sing on Forever’ at Druid Theatre on Druid Lane, in what has been a great year of celebration for one of our greatest playwrights as Druid Murphy continues its national and international tour. Directly opposite Druid Theatre is the Hall of the Red Earl, which is part of Galways medieval city walls where we will hear music and recitals presented by Galway Early Music and Galway Civic Trust.

I am also looking forward to the Galway choir Cois Cladaigh perform in the 13th century Church of St Nicholas on Lombard Street and to hearing about Tom Kilroys Archive at NUI Galway, University Road. John Hustons ‘The Dead’ is being screened at the James Hardiman Library at NUI Galway preceded by an introduction on the Huston Archive which is also held there.

If time allows, I will catch Jane OMalleys exhibition at the Norman Villa Gallery in Lower Salthill and drive across the city to visit Artspace Studios at the Liosban Industrial Estate.

Behind the scenes at Druid

It’s Open House night at Druid. As part of the DruidMurphy staging of three of Tom Murphy’s plays, the theatre will be screening a documentary about his life and work; Sing on Forever, directed by Alan Gilsenan.

You’ll also have a special opportunity to see behind the scenes, by visiting the theatre’s rehearsal space, and also seeing sets and costumes.

Runs at Druid Theatre, Druid Lane, 6-9pm

NUI archives

Some of the contents of NUI Galway’s archives and special collection will be going on display. There will be letters from Nora Barnacle, an original edition of James Joyce’s Pomes Penyeach, an overview of playwright Tom Kilroy’s literary archive, and an introduction to the John Huston archive. There will also be a screening of Huston’s last movie, The Dead, based on Joyce’s most famous short story.

Huston School of Film and Digital Media, James Hardiman Library, National University of Ireland, Galway. Events begin at 6pm and run on. ‘The Dead’ screens at 7.45pm

Choir, Galway Cathedral

Choir will be performing a recital, featuring the Cathedral Chamber Choir and organ music, directed by Raymond O’Donnell.

Galway Cathedral, 7.30pm

Archaeologists and historians

We’re promised no less than 19 archaeologists and historians, who will each be presenting short cameos to tell the story of 3,000 years of Galway history, collectively entitled, ‘Galway; An Incomplete History’.

Galway City Museum, Flood Street, 5pm

Visual art

Galway street artists and photographers, including Reg Gordon, Noel Tate, Margaret Nolan, Finbar 247 and someone known as AKA Crap, present a new exhibition, called ‘Obsolete’.

Eyre Square Centre, 6pm

Dance, music and readings

Galway City Library will be one of the busiest venues on Culture Night. There will be dance performances, a dance workshop, a talk about ballad singer Delia Murphy by her niece Carmen Cullen, music from singer Máirín O’Donovan and Gerry Anderson, and dramatised readings.

Galway City Library, Augustine Street, 6-9pm