Church of Ireland and Culture Night 2016!
The Church of Ireland is doing its part to mark the wonderful festivity that is Culture Night 2016. Here’s just a small sample of what is going on tonight right across the country (for further details visit the Culture Night website: http://www.culturenight.ie). Enjoy yourselves!
Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin:
Experience historic tours of the cathedral and its surroundings, music and much more at Dublin’s most historic building from 6-9pm! Follow the steps that bring you beneath the cathedral and explore the medieval 12th century crypt where we are also delighted to offer storytelling for children. On the night we will host a silent film screening which will be accompanied by the Christ Church Cathedral Assistant Organist, David Bremner. Outside we will have food markets which will have a host of gourmet food stalls. A variety of tours will also be on offer.
St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin:
Celebrate Culture Night by joining one of the following programs:
5.30pm (seated by 5.20pm) Choral Evensong, our daily sung service.
6.15pm Cathedral choristers perform a concert of secular and sacred songs.
7pm Guided tours of the Cathedral (starting every 15 minutes).
St Werburgh’s Church, Dublin
Musical performances from the students and staff of the DIT Conservatory of Music and Drama, the Choir of Christchurch Cathedral Parish Group and a rare sounding of the 1767 Organ in the historic 18th century church of St Werburgh. This collaboration demonstrates high-quality performance-based musical education perfected through the centuries. It all starts from 6pm in this hidden gem of Dublin.
St Audoen’s Church, Dublin:
Visit this 12th-century building and discover its ancient charms, including the atmospheric ruins of the Portlester Chapel, the remains of a 13th-century laneway, a 12th-century baptismal font and ornate 17th-century memorials commemorating prominent citizens of Dublin. Knowledgeable guides will be on hand to answer all your questions! It all kicks off from 5pm.
St Stephen’s Church (the Pepper Canister), Dublin:
It all starts with the BelCantar Chamber Choir who are the resident choir in the church at 6pm. The choir is co-directed by Cathal Twomey and Owen Killian. They will be presenting a variety of choral music. They are also joined by guest instrumentalists and there is added interest with the musical numbers intersperced by narration.
At 7.45pm coral students from DIT Conservatory of Music and Drama will entertain with a broad ranging programme from opera to musicals to traditional Irish and much more. These talented and prize-winning singers are accompanied by Adam McDonagh and Derek Moylan on piano. Not to be missed in this beautiful and acoustic-friendly church!
St Mobhi’s Church, Ballymun, Dublin:
St Mobhi’s Church of Ireland will be open to the public where they can see the 18th century church and churchyard. There will be some occasional organ music and perhaps coffee. There will also be an exhibition of parishioners who died in the First World War by the children of Glasnevin National School.
Monkstown Parish Church, Dublin:
Monkstown Parish Church opens for the first time for Culture Night for self guided tours accompanied by organ music on the historic church organ from 5pm.
The present Church of Ireland (Anglican) church was consecrated on Sunday 30 August 1789, a plain rectangular building surrounded by open fields. Described as the fairest country church in Ireland, it was the only Anglican church between Ringsend and Bray. In 1831 work began to rebuild the church under the direction of Semple incorporating the earliar Georgian building. The work took eight years and resulted in an elaborate and extravagant T shaped building. It was further extended eastward in 1862 The church is widely admired today but had its critics in Victorian Dublin including one who described it as a ‘perversion of judgement and taste’!
Collegiate Church of St Nicholas, Galway:
St Nicholas will showcase great traditional music and dance, as featured in the acclaimed summer concert series ‘Tunes in the Church’with special guest Rev Gary Hastings, Rector of St Nicholas and a great musician too!
Christ Church, Portumna, Co. Galway:
Between 5.30pm and 7.30pm Christ Church, Portumna will host an evening of songs and poetry with Paddy Bushe & Séan Garvey. Seán Garvey who lives in Kenmare is acclaimed throughout Ireland as one of the country’s finest singers of traditional songs in Irish and English, as well as playing fiddle, whistle, guitar and banjo. Paddy Bushe, a poet, editor and translator now lives in Kerry and is a member of Aosdána.
St Flannel’s Cathedral, Killable, Co. Clare:
Between 5pm and 11pm St Flannel’s Cathedral will have its doors open to provide members of the public with guided tours. Completed in 1225, this beautiful cathedral has much to offer architecturally particularly because it dates from the transition between the Romanesque and Gothic periods.
St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork:
Culture Night begins with Choral Evensong at 6.15pm (approx. 30 mins). There will also be guided tours of the Cathedral every hour beginning at 7pm (final tour 9pm). Short organ-recital and music by the Cathedral choir at 7.45 pm. Bell-ringers will demonstrate the art of change ringing on small bells all evening. Those who prefer to come and look around for themselves are also most welcome.
St Luke’s Church, Cork:
Organist Mark Slade will perform on the organ in St. Luke’s at 8pm, an instrument dating from the late nineteenth century. He will also give a brief talk on the history of the organ and it’s place in church life from 6:30pm.
St Anne’s Church Shandon, Cork:
Play the 18th century Bells of Shandon, enjoy beautiful views of Cork from the tower balcony and visit the ‘oldest church in continuous use in Cork City’. Space limited so first come, first served.
Built in 1722, St Anne’s Church Shandon, home of the Shandon Bells, is one of the oldest churches in continuous use in Cork City, and its most iconic landmark thanks to ‘de Goldie Fish’ at the top. Climb the tower, and enjoy the unique experience of playing the 18th century Bells of Shandon, see the mechanism of the famous ‘four faced liar’ clock, pass through the belfry where the bells ring out, and then enjoy the beautiful views of Cork from the tower balcony. Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult.
St Mary’s Collegiate Church, Youghal, Co. Cork:
Under the tutelage of the accomplished Patricia Whyte, St. Mary’s Collegiate Church will play host to the wonderful talents of Youghal Choral Society. This is going to be such a unique event, one that will showcase the wonderful vocal talent of the choir. All involved are so enthusiastic about the event, and excited to perform in such an amazing venue.
St Mary’s Church, Killarney, Co. Kerry:
Between 6.30pm and 8.30pm St Mary’s will host an evening of music and song with The Scotia Ensemble & Grace Foley (joint-winner of 2016 Eamon Kelly Bursary) and showcasing work of talented singer/songwriters Sarah Finnan & Lorraine Nash – participants of Kerry County Council’s mentoring programme 2015.
St Iberius Church, Wexford:
St Iberius welcome Sexology, a Wexford town based group of four musicians. The saxophone quartet play everything from classical to pop. This will take place at 6pm.
In addition, at 7.45pm it will host the HFC Concert Band performing the following programme of music including: Londonderry Air, Theme from Mission Impossible, Pirates of the Caribean Medley, New York New York, Mamma Mia and the Radetzky March.
Finally it will host a performance by 3-0 featuring violin, viola, piano & flute from 8.30pm. As part of their Culture Night programme 3-0 will premiere an exciting new work by contemporary Irish composer Marian Ingoldsby.