Local Cultural Heritage to be celebrated as part of tonight’s Culture Night celebrations

As a city and district steeped in heritage and history, it is no surprise that tonight’s Culture Night programme highlights the incredible array of local talent across our cultural heritage sector.

Derry City and Strabane District Council, in partnership with The Honourable Irish Society and funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, will present a comprehensive programme of heritage and arts activities that will complete the overall Culture Night Programme. 

The 18th edition of Culture Night will take place this evening, with events happening all over Ireland.

As part of the overall programme, a diverse range of heritage related events will take place in Derry and Strabane including the majestic Lucia McGinnis Harp Ensemble in St Augustine’s Church, The World from Your Window in The Verbal Arts Centre and Together in Music with the Strabane Brass Band and Britannia Band in the Guildhall.

Speaking ahead of Friday’s busy schedule, Edward Montgomery from The Honourable The Irish Society, said: “Once again, we are delighted to work alongside Council to promote the local arts and heritage sector and showcase the vibrant cultural talent that the city and district has to offer.

"We are delighted to support this year’s Culture Night programme which is filled with amazing artists and performers, celebrating our unique culture, heritage and thriving arts community which we are delighted to be supporting.”

Other acts will include Wall Dances at the Echo Echo Dance Theatre, Guns of the Siege at the Siege Museum, events at the Holywell Trust, Number 19 Craft & Design and Feile Films at the Nerve Centre to name a few.

Dr Paul Mullan, Northern Ireland Director at The National Lottery Heritage Fund said they were pleased to support Derry City & Strabane District Council in delivering their heritage venues project: “Using funding made possible by National Lottery players it is great to see the promotion of the range of heritage venues in the North West and their inclusion in Culture Night 2023 programming.

"We would encourage anyone attending Culture Night to visit somewhere new in the city and discover some of the exciting heritage on offer.”

Other venues include Art Arcadia, Bloody Sunday Trust, Gasyard Wall Feile and St Columb’s Cathedral.

Tourism Manager with Derry City and Strabane District Council, Margaret Edwards, said she was delighted to create opportunities for visitors to experience such a diverse range of events for this year’s Culture Night.

“It’s great that we can continue to work alongside our key partners and funders, The Honourable The Irish Society and The National Lottery Heritage Fund, to deliver such an extensive heritage led programme for this year’s Culture Night. Culture Night allows us to celebrate our rich heritage offer here in the city and district and showcase it to visitors,” she said.

Brought to you by the Arts Council, Culture Night is a national moment, celebrating culture, creativity and the arts. It 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.

To find out more about Derry and Strabane’s programme of events on Culture Night, please visit: www.derrystrabane.com/culturenight