Extravaganza of Laois fun on Culture Night at Portlaoise Arts Centre

Dunamaise Arts Centre is hosting what it says will be an extravaganza of free celebrations on Culture Night in Portlaoise.

The Dunamaise team are also looking forward to the big night as it marks the start what they are promising will be "fantastic season of events" and the launch of its new brand and user-friendly website.

Culture Night festivities at Dunamaise will be headlined with the Irish premiere of new compositions by NOTIFY with guests Séamus and Caoimhe Uí Fhlatharta. From 8pm, the auditorium will host what's described as a musical creation of the highest quality between six Irish traditional and jazz musicians, lead by concertina player Padraig Rynne. 

The night also features local artists Paddy Critchley and Greg Hallahan, who are currently work exhibiting at Dunamaise Arts Centre. 

From 6pm, Greg, whose work is exhibited in the arts centre’s café gallery space, will give a demonstration of his processes of his unique art style that he creates from recycled corrugated cardboard.

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"Call in and chat to Greg while he demonstrates the artwork and the idea behind using such an everyday material while representing Ireland’s prehistoric structures that dot our ancient Green Isle," says the Dunamaise. 

From 7pm, you're invited to meet Paddy Critchley, a painter with a keen interest in the theatre of the absurd, installation plays an integral part in Paddy’s practise, as previously seen in ‘Waiting’ where he held an exhibition-play on the Dunamaise stage.

"Ideas of socialism, livelihood and the painting and decorating trade, are among subjects explored in his artworks,"  says the Dunamaise of his work.

Also from 7pm, meet TV personality/presenter and Influencer Mary-Claire Fitzpatrick (@MCLuvs2Laugh), a native of Rathdowney.

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Furthermore, members of Portlaoise Musical Society will be in the party spirit to launch tickets going on sale for their sensational 2023 show, ‘Made in Dagenham’, with DJ Steegan banging out some musical tunes. Dunamaise Arts Centre’s Young Curators will also be there on the night.

Also being launched on the night will be Dunamaise Arts Centre’s fantastic new branding; designed by Penhouse in Ratheniska. It features its new signature ‘d’ with its unique and vibrant ombré colour effect; which was inspired by the heritage and stonework designs on the building.

Dunamaise.ie will also be officially launched on the night. 

Designed with accessibility in mind, the Dunamaise team say the website, designed by Path Strategic Design in Dublin, allows for easier navigation, with lots more new and improved functionality," says the Centre.

The autumn winter 2023 schedule of events (that also runs into the new year) features on the new website and there's lots to look forward to.

Among the guests coming to town will be the inimitable Michael Harding who visits with his new book in hand. Also en route are the hilarious Pat and Faye Shortt. The season also features "a sumptuous" musical show by Phil Coulter. Another guest is  the highly-renowned and award-winning Mikel Murfi who brings his brand new play The Mysterious Case of Kitsy Rainey.

The award-winning Portlaoise Musial Society’s 2023 show Made in Dagenham also features 

The Leaves Festival of Writing and Music and the Sinead O’Connor documentary ‘Nothing Compares’ are among the other things to look forward to.

Catch up with lots of creative fun on Culture Night in Laois

Culture Night Schedule of Events

6pm: Experience a live art workshop with artist Greg Hallahan in the café.

6-8pm: Enjoy and join in for some musical fun with DJ Steegan and Portlaoise Musical Society.

7pm: Explore the artworks of Paddy Critchley at his exhibition opening in the gallery. 

*Meet our special guest - TV presenter and Laois native Instagram influencer and, Mary-Claire Fitzpatrick of @MCluvs2laugh .

8pm: Enjoy the music of NOTIFY with Séamus & Caoimhe Uí Fhlatharta

For further information and/or tickets, see www.Dunamaise.ie or Tel: 057 866 3355.