St Columba Folk night at the Áras
What better way to celebrate Culture Night 2026 than sharing folksongs and fables in honour of the city’s most important cultural icon – St Columba / Colm Cille.
The stage is set for two-hours of merrymaking at Áras Cholmcille, in the grounds of St Columba’s Church Long Tower – this coming Friday, September 18, starting at 8.00 pm.
Author and storyteller Peter Heaney will perform a sequence of colourful yarns based on folktales associated with our patron saint. A local tour guide will connect St Colm Cille to some of the museum’s most prized artefacts. Local troubadours will perform a selection of greatest hits from the city’s illustrious songbook: not forgetting a display of traditional Irish dancing for the all the féis mammies in our ranks. And we will pause the revelry for a sup of tae and tarts (or wee buns at the Wee Nuns). What’s not to love?
Culture Night is after all, a national moment, so consider it your duty to gather in this hallowed spot and actively support the promotion of our rich Columban culture and heritage – here in the city where it all started.
Culture Night is free of charge and supported by Derry City and Strabane District Council’s Heritage Animation grant.
So why not join us, at Áras Cholmcille, as we embark on a new chapter for our museum, café and heritage centre.
Culture Night is the first in a series of workshops, activities and events honouring Columba and enriching our everyday lives in this ancient crucible of culture and faith. Follow us on Facebook: St Columba Heritage Centre for details of upcoming events.
It is a national moment, celebrating culture, creativity and the arts and seeks to actively promote the belief that this rich and varied culture is alive, treasured and nurtured in people’s lives, today and every day. It is delivered nationwide in cities, towns, villages and rural locations as well as online and through our media partners.
On September 18th 2026 doors will open later with special and unique events specifically programmed for Culture Night!
Thanks to the continued support of the Arts Council and Local Authorities across the island of Ireland, all activities will be available to the public free of charge.