FANCY ADMIRING Jupiter through a telescope at Blackrock Castle Observatory? Or hearing what life was like in a west Cork lighthouse?
These are just two of the 150 or so activities on offer this Friday in Cork’s contribution to Culture Night, according to spokeswoman for the local events, Éimear O’Brien.
"There's just so much going on – we have a film for example called Cork: A Forgotten Memoryfrom 1902, while we also have a documentary from 1977 called The Echo Boysand another exploring the culture of bingo players in the city," said Ms O'Brien.
For those who grew up in the 1980s, the Lewis Glucksman Gallery is offering music lovers the chance to dress up in 1980s inspired outfits, while Michael Jackson fans should check out Thrilla – Unleash Your Inner Zombiewith DJ Sé-K at the Cork Vision Centre.
Life at the Galley Head Lighthouse will be recalled by Gerard Butler, while Welsh tenor Ryan Morgan sings songs of the sea at a concert at the Port of Cork which also hosts a visit by the LE Aisling which will be open to the public.
"Cork has a strong water culture and visitors can travel in style on Bantry longboats down the Lee with Meitheal Maraand be entertained by Pádraig Ó Duinnín of TG4 as he tells stories of the lives of families who fished for a living in Cork.
“We also have a historical walking tour of the city by local historian Cllr Kierán McCarthy and author Regina Sexton will conduct a food tour and William Hammond will lead a cycling tour of places and events and buildings in Cork celebrated in song.”
Visitors can talk to a genealogist about tracing their family history at the Cork City and County Archives. All events are free.
Culture Night, which started in Dublin in 2006, will take place in 11 locations around the country this year.
This year Letterkenny, Sligo, Tralee, Wexford and counties Mayo and Roscommon will take part for the first time. Events include a céilí trail in Roscommon, outdoor projections of WB Yeats’s poetry in Sligo and an Irish dancing world record attempt in Tralee.
In Dublin, a record 124 cultural venues will open their doors for Culture Night, including St Stephen’s Green, the National Museum of Ireland, the Science Gallery Trinity College, the Revenue Museum, Guinness Storehouse, RTÉ Performing Groups and Dublin Castle State apartments. The gates of Leinster House will be opened and visitors on the night will enjoy guided tours of the Dáil and Seanad.