Huge array of events across Offaly for Culture Night 2025

CULTURE Night / Oíche Chultúir – the annual nationwide celebration of creativity, culture, and the arts – returns this year on Friday, September 19, 2025. Presented by the Arts Council, this initiative invites people of all ages to explore and enjoy free cultural events in towns, villages, and online platforms across the country.

In Offaly, Culture Night 2025 promises an exciting and family-friendly evening of free events, celebrating the county’s rich and diverse cultural scene. This year the Offaly County Council Arts Office organised three programme event launches across Offaly to connect artists and performers in advance of Culture Night and highlight their events. 

These programme launches happened in Birr Theatre & Arts Centre; Esker Arts Centre, Tullamore; as well as the Edenderry Quaker Meeting House.

The Culture Night Offaly programme features everything from live music and dance to visual arts, literature, film, and community workshops – uniting artists, audiences, and communities in a shared celebration of culture.

The Offaly County Council Arts Office proudly supports this year’s programme with four specially commissioned projects, each designed to spark creativity and connection in local communities.

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Four New Artist Commissions

Sheila Hough presents a pop-up exhibition at J.J. Hough's Singing Pub, showcasing original paintings on the theme of The Pieta. The evening includes an artist talk and Q&A, offering insight into the historical references, creative process, and the blending of sculpture, sound, and visual art.

At Birr Theatre & Arts Centre, audiences can enjoy a full evening of creativity and wellbeing, featuring the launch of Jackie Lynch’s haiku book, Light Chains.

In addition, Birr Theatre is also delivering a full programme of events for Culture Night by hosting a thought-provoking talk on writing and mental health facilitated by Geraldine O’Neill, along with a workshop to replenish the creative well through collage, music and more with Eileen Casey.

In Tullamore, Aoise O’Dwyer performs "Women Composers and the Viola" at the Offaly History Centre – a beautifully curated hour of solo viola works by Amanda Feery, Dobrinka Tabakova, Libby Croad, and Katia Tiutiunnik.

At Esker Arts, Amy Donlon and her contemporary dance group present The Art of Seated Movement, a captivating performance exploring the power of expression through stillness and gesture.

Countywide Highlights 

Culture Night Offaly 2025 also includes a wide variety of events for all ages and interests:

Clara Musical Society presents Movies & Musicals at the Meeting House in Clara, which will be a celebration of iconic songs from the screen and stage.

Music Generation Offaly hosts Midland Rocks at Esker Arts, showcasing the talents of young musicians across the county.The Open Mic Night at Byrnes Bar & Lounge, Edenderry will see local performers 18 and over take the stage.

Tullamore Camogie Club welcomes all ages to Culture agus Craic at St Mary’s Youth Centre – a night of traditional music, dance, and games.

In Edenderry, explore your creativity at a Community Art Night at the GAA Club, including Mandala Dot Art workshops as well as take part in a collaborative community public mural in partnership with Edenderry Men's Shed, led by artist Kate Furlong.

Esker Arts Culture Night programme also includes: PLATFORM 25: Art@‘YOU’th.  An inspiring exhibition showcasing creative work from learners at Tullamore Community Training Centre, following their QQI Level 3 Art & Design Module. Meet the artists and learn about their creative journeys.

The Rabbit, the Dark and the Biscuit Tin: A storytelling and art workshop by Varvara Vorobei for children aged 6+, where participants will create their own stories and illustrate them through drawing.

Open Studio with Margo McNulty: Visit the Esker Arts artist-in-residence’s studio and explore works in progress and completed pieces in an informal, welcoming setting.

Reading from Conor Brady: The former Irish Times editor and author reads from his acclaimed Joe Swallow detective novels, set in Victorian Dublin.

Solutions for the Border: Lee Hamill's piece of performance art in which he explores an alternate history that saw former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher repartition the border in Ireland and ghettoise West Belfast.

Dairy Babes Film Screening. A short film by Patrick Fogerty. The Bonnie and Clyde of 80s Ireland - when Moo kills her father, herself and her boyfriend Bull, go on the run.

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Offaly Libraries Programming

Libraries across the county will be buzzing with activity:Tullamore Library offers Tech Tastic, a hands-on session in Vex Robotics and VR for children aged 8–12. Booking is essential.

Birr Library hosts a stunning performance by the Offaly County Council Choir.

Edenderry Library delivers an evening of music with Acoustic Hearts and rock band RADAR and all are welcome to attend these events with no booking required.

Elsewhere in Edenderry, all are welcome to attend the Eden Chorale performance of a classical and contemporary repertoire at the Edenderry Quaker Meeting House.

More to Discover

Teach Ceoil returns to Cloughmoyle School House, hosted by Ruairí O’Shea, for a night of song, poetry, and spoken word.

Clublife brings the party to John Lee’s Bar and Venue, with DJ Dylan Delaney spinning his signature uplifting tech house beats. Don’t Miss Out – One Night For All

Culture Night is brought to you by The Arts Council of Ireland, in partnership with Offaly County Council Arts Office.

Join us on Friday, September 19th, for an unforgettable night of creativity, connection, and celebration. All events are free to attend, though booking may be required for some.

Visit the official Culture Night website at CULTURENIGHT.IE/

OFFALY for the full list of events in Offaly and nationwide, and to secure your spot.

Culture Night 2025 – One Night For All