GALWAY:ASTRONOMERS AND astrophysicists rubbed shoulders with artists and actors in Galway last night as the city combined Ireland's first European researchers' night with the national culture-fest.
Telescopic views of the night sky from Salthill and discussions on gamma-ray bursts and deep-water corals were among the activities offered in the 12-hour celebration of “science in inner and outer space”, which was incorporated in the Galway Culture Night programme.
The Sea2Sky festival, involving 320 European cities, was opened in Salthill by EU commissioner for research, innovation and science Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, who fired up imaginations with a promise of employment for research graduates.
A plethora of other mind-altering activities across the city – and even as far as Oranmore Castle across the bay – included a world premiere by the Blue Teapot Theatre Company of the screenplay 84 by Eastenders scriptwriter Len Collin.
Blue Teapot, which provides training for actors with intellectual disabilities, staged its premiere in the Druid Theatre.
Galway cathedral, popularly known as the “Taj Micheál”, was among the many gig venues, with an hour of choral and organ music led by Raymond O’Donnell, while St Patrick’s Bandroom near Eyre Square got off to an early start with a concert by participants in the Access Music Project.
Mutton Island lighthouse opened, as did a number of art galleries, and the city museum. Authors read in Charlie Byrne’s bookshop, Hungarian poetry was celebrated in the city library, and Russian residents volunteered for storytelling and readings in the Galway Arts Centre.
Labour presidential candidate Michael D Higgins tried to defy the speed of light with almost simultaneous appearances at Sea2Sky, the oyster festival and a campaign fundraiser.
Those opting for a more leisurely approach could take a free “culture bus” provided by Bus Éireann.
Even the finest creative and scientific minds can be defeated regularly by Galway’s constant traffic gridlock.