Come Here To Me!

Culture Night is upon us once more, and having missed Culture Night 2011 I’m looking forward to making the most of it this year. While there is certainly plenty going on across the city, I thought I’d draw up a list of five things I’ll be doing on the night for anyone who is finding it hard to narrow down their own ‘To Do’ lists. Got any tips on something we should check out? Comment below.

1) The Little Museum of Dublin, free from 6-10pm. (St.Stephen’s Green)

We reviewed the Little Museum back in April of this year, and I must say it surpassed my expectations on visiting. From the Magdalene Laundries to the shameful destruction of our viking heritage, this museum isn’t just the ‘good bits’ of 20th century Dublin. It’s a diverse collection worthy of your time, and the late opening hours should be availed of.

The plaque from the Hirschfeld Centre, Dublin’s gay community centre in 1970’s Temple Bar. Today, you can see it in this fantastic museum.

2) Focus Photography exhibition at Exchange (Temple Bar)

Exchange in Temple Bar is hosting an exhibition of photos on one of the least likely subjects imaginable for such a project, Busáras.”Busáras is a vital hub yet remains almost undocumented in this digital age compared with our picture-postcard landmarks.” The exhibition includes photographs from Paul Reynolds, who could jokingly be called the fourth musketeer which such regular appearances on the site here. The exhibition will be launched at 8pm, if timing in Exchange is anything like Busáras it’ll probably kick off at ten past.

3) ‘A Proposed Exhibition for the Irish House’, Dublin Civic Trust (Castle Street)

The beautiful Irish House pub was lost to ‘progress’, sitting for many years at Wood Quay. The pub boasted magnificent exterior stucco work, showing figures from Irish history like Henry Grattan and Daniel O’Connell. Some of these figures are today at home in the Dublin Civic Trust building. The Dublin Civic Trust are turning the spotlight onto this fantastic pub, and will be open until 9.30pm on Culture Night.

Eight artists propose an exhibition for the The Irish House, previously located on the corner of Wood Quay and Winetavern Street. The work will be on display in Dublin Civic Trust, 4 Castle Street, opening on the 20th of September at 6.00 pm and will continue until the 30th 10.00 – 18.00, Mon. – Sun.

The figure of Erin, salvaged from the lost Irish House pub (Donal Fallon)

4) The history of the revolutionary period examined at the Ireland Institute (Pearse Street)

The Ireland institute, once the boyhood home of Padraig Pearse, have organised a great night of events beginning with a screening of the classic Mise Éire, and including a lecture by Lorcan Collins on the life and times of James Connolly. Lorcan will be a familiar sight to all Dubliners, I dare say he’s the only tour guide in the city louder than me so you’ve heard him at least! His biography of James Connolly, released earlier this year, is a great read and a labour of love.

Culture Night 2012 at The Pearse Centre

6.30pm Mise Éire (Screening of George Morrison’s film)
8.15pm Talk on James Connolly and the Irish Revolution
Speaker: Lorcan Collins (Historian; author of new biography of James Connolly in O’Brien Press series 16 Lives; founder 1916 Walking Tour)
9.00pm Songs of the Irish Revolution
(30 minutes of songs and ballads: Willie Byrne)

Postcard depicting the damage to Dublin, Easter 1916 (Fallon Collection)

5) Freemason’s Hall (Molesworth Street)

Opening until 10pm, the Freemason’s Hall on Molesworth Street is an incredible building. Myself and jaycarax of this here blog were lucky enough to get a fantastic tour of it on our own one day last year, and room after room delivered surprises. One of the finest interiors in the city without a doubt, and a building that has to be seen. The Freemasons in Ireland have a fascinating and often misunderstood history, did you know Daniel O’Connell was once a member?

Image from http://www.irishmasonicjewels.ie/