COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
Monday, October 13, 2025
QUESTION NO. 17
QUESTION: Councillor A. Smyth
To ask the Chief Executive to report on the various activities held across the county for culture night, and ask are there plans for the future for SDCC to play a bigger part in Culture night?
REPLY:
Culture Night 2025 in South Dublin – Report
South Dublin County Council played a significant role in Culture Night 2025, partnering with local producers to animate venues and public spaces across the county. Eight cultural venues opened their doors in Tallaght, Clondalkin, Lucan, Rathfarnham, and Rathcoole, including Tallaght Library, Tymon North Library, Áras Chrónáin, the Old Courthouse Rathcoole, Rathfarnham Castle, the Pearse Museum, Rua Red, and the Civic Theatre.
In addition, Lucan House grounds and Parthalán Place in Tallaght were transformed into vibrant pop-up sites for outdoor events, bringing an atmosphere of creativity, energy, and community engagement to South Dublin.
Audiences enjoyed a diverse programme of music, theatre, dance, and immersive cultural activities. With full venues, innovative performances, and inclusive programming for all ages, Culture Night reflected the breadth and diversity of South Dublin’s cultural landscape.
Programme Highlights
Tallaght & Parthalán Place
The celebrations began on the afternoon of Friday, 19 September, with family-focused events at Tallaght Library. Classical Kids, an interactive concert, introduced children to live classical music, followed by The Magic Show with Murf the Magician, a lively mix of humour and illusion for families. Meanwhile, Tymon North Library hosted a performance by the Firhouse Ukulele Group. These opening events set a welcoming tone for an evening of large-scale cultural celebration.
Later that evening, Rua Red and Parthalán Place hosted SPECTRUM, a cross-disciplinary showcase co-produced by Rua Red, SoFFt Productions, and the South Dublin County Council Arts Office’s youth music initiative, NOISE Music. Part of the national Culture Night Late strand, SPECTRUM offered an ambitious programme of live music, roaming performances, and immersive installations. Rua Red’s Gallery 1 was transformed into a live venue featuring collectives such as BPM (Tailtiu, Pixieteeth, and Polyp) and Tallaght-based Burner Records. Performances by the NOISE DJ Collective (Ellie and Keelan Flanagan) shared the stage with emerging and established artists including musicians Paolly Mabeto and Anthony McKeown, poet Sandisiwe Khupe, and the Afro Vibes dance collective.
Visuals and staging played a major role, with large-scale projections, a laser installation, and outdoor programming that included live graffiti, hip-hop, and dance by Cristian Emmanuel, Favour Odusola, and Neasa Níc Shuibhne. A neurodivergent-friendly space was also provided in Rua Red, ensuring accessibility and inclusivity.
The Civic Theatre contributed with The Tenderwrite Readings, a series of three short plays by emerging playwrights Aidan Kelly, Blaithín Seville, and David Rawle (ages 16–24), offering a platform for young voices in contemporary Irish theatre. Later in the evening, the Civic presented Space Deli: The Concert, a science-fiction romantic comedy blending live music, humour, and theatrical performance.
Lucan House
Lucan House hosted a specially curated outdoor programme by Artscope, supported by South Dublin County Council. The event drew approximately 500 attendees, with advance demand exceeding capacity. Highlights included a flash mob by The Rubik’s Ensemble, a sound installation by composer Abigail Smith, and the debut performance of a new Irish music trio.
The headline act, Nightvisiting, led by internationally acclaimed singer and folklorist Lisa Lambe, combined traditional storytelling and song, earning enthusiastic audience acclaim. Family-friendly activities, children’s events, and catering from Sleepy Panda contributed to the event’s welcoming, inclusive atmosphere.
Rathcoole & Rathfarnham
The Old Courthouse in Rathcoole presented two memorable performances from renowned American singer-songwriter John Schindler, alongside appearances by Fin & Con Furey of the legendary Furey family.
Rathfarnham’s heritage sites—the Pearse Museum and Rathfarnham Castle—opened for guided after-dark tours, offering visitors a unique cultural and historical experience.
For Culture Night 2026, SDCC Arts Office will again co-produce an event for the grounds of Lucan House, before moving to a different village location in 2027, animating that location and encouraging local Culture Night participation.
Performance groups and community groups in the county will be able apply for some support in 2026 towards hosting or presenting a Culture Night performance event in the county through the South Dublin Live Open Call.
SDCC will also aim to boost the visibility of Culture Night South Dublin County investing additional time and resources to promoting events in the county.