Representatives from the arts and business meet to discuss how to increase cultural events at night.
Among the issues discussed at a special meeting in Dublin of those involved in the culture sector, were the need for more venues, changes to the licensing laws and the possible introduction of a 'Night Mayor'.
Even on a Wednesday night, plenty of people are eager to experience live music. Kila are playing live at Whelan's on Wexford Street in Dublin. While the demand for live music is there, campaigners say that there are fewer venues available.
Sunil Sharpe of Give Us The Night says there is a need for venues to operate week in and week out to create a community that is vital to Irish culture. Venues providing live entertainment also provide employment and are an outlet to perform for creative people.
Over thirty people from arts, cultural and business organisations have been meeting to discuss what can be done to improve access to culture at night. This requires more flexible licensing laws, and the need to find different ways of using existing venues. It is hoped that the meeting will produce some practical recommendations for the cultural sector.
Ciara O'Connell runs Central Arts in Waterford which is a theatre space that also welcomes musical acts as a way of bringing in extra finance.
Minister for Culture, Heritage & the Gaeltacht Josepha Madigan TD says that the way to transform our cities is through collaboration.
We need to get people on the same hymn sheet about this.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 17 April 2019. The reporter is Sinéad Crowley.
