This evening's Mayo Culture Night set to be the best yet

OVER the next few hours audiences in Mayo will be treated to an exciting and varied range of free events and activities as part of this year’s Culture Night. The Mayo programme truly offers something for everyone, catering for a wide range of age groups and interests. Here is a flavour of some of the fantastic events in store, across the county, this evening.

Achill offers art and music in the beautiful surrounds of Bunnacurry Monastery, as well as bus tour with traditional musicians and an evening exploring the islands culture, past and present. Ballina’s Market Square will be bouncing with performances from Galway based, South African born, rapper Sweetlemondae, Folk Singer Steo Wall, four piece a capella group Landless, as well as local Mayo act Doppler. There will also be a late-night trad session in Ballina Arts Centre, and renowned DJ, Donal Dineen will also play in Katie's Corner.

Further north, Blacksod Lighthouse will celebrate great female icons who have strong connections to the area including D-Day heroine Maureen Sweeney, nationalist writer Olivia Knight, actress and author Eileen O'Casey, modernist Sculptor Gerda Fromel, and 20th century, Hollywood star, Carmelita Geraghty. There will be song, storytelling, and crafts in Carracastle where traditional Irish farming practices will be celebrated, while in Turlough at the Museum of Country Life, you can learn about St Gobnait and the folk history of bees in everyday life.

Interactive walk

IN Castlebar there will be an interactive walk for children, a food and drink tour for adults, while younger adults can enjoy African beets from DJ Mtoolz. Also in Castlebar, you can learn to make ceramics or play an instrument, and there is an opportunity to hear African women exploring their identity through hair. There are trad sessions in Kiltimagh, Lahardane and Crossmolina and multicultural Ireland will be celebrated with food, drink, dance, and stories from the diverse communities in Claremorris, Ballycroy and Westport town. Westport also hosts a wide selection of music from Jazz to big bands, choirs to trad as well as a printmaking workshop, a talk on art and literature, and an open evening at Westport House.

Most events are wheelchair accessible and cater for families and those with special needs. All events are free and open to everyone. For details of events in your area, check out the Culture Night Mayo Facebook page, Instagram and Twitter or contact Culture Night Co-ordinator, Audrey Robinson on info@mayoculturenight.ie.

Culture Night is strategically funded by Mayo County Council and the Arts Council and is supported by Creative Ireland and participating groups and venues in Mayo.