Preparations are under way in Kylemore Abbey, Conamara, for what promises to be a spectacular immersive light and sound experience as part of Culture Night.
After dusk falls, audiences will wander through illuminated pathways and corners on the grounds of Kylemore Abbey and discover a series of artistic installations and ambient soundscapes.
German artist Linda Schirmer is living in Clifden with her actress daughter Ronja. Both are performing tonight.
"I am dancing like a free spirit with a white muslin cloak and fairy lights. That's how I feel in the west of Ireland. This is my spiritual home between the mountains and the sea and it's such a creative place. I feel my inside is reflected in the outer Conamara landscape.
"My daughter is performing as part of the installation by artist Aoife Dunne from Blanchardstown in Dublin. Ronja explains how she is holding a piece of metal, symbolising the release of memories into an abstract space, a metaphorical transfer of thoughts into an 'abyss' suggesting the influence of the past and the suppression of emotions.
This flagship event in the west of Ireland is titled 'Where Light Lingers' and is a collaboration between Galway County Council, Culture Works and Kylemore Abbey.
Mother Karol O'Connell is Abbess of Kylemore Abbey and leads the community of 13 Benedictine nuns. She is also an artist in her own right and an accomplished musician.
"We're delighted to be hosting this event. It's a privilege for us because I suppose it really showcases the depth of culture in Conamara. I mean, here we are with this beautiful building and it's nice to use it, and it's nice to have people from the locality coming here and performing and singing, we're just delighted with all of that.
"Each moment of this journey will offer space for reflection and wonder, with artists presenting works that echo the natural and cultural richness of the place.
"The soft illuminations and close-up performances will showcase the Abbey and grounds beautifully."
Nearby a local choir, are rehearsing Deus Meus by 10th century poet, Maelíosa Ua Brolcháin. Janet Mercer is one of the singers.
"We are Cantairí Chonamara and have been going for over 20 years. We were invited here by Culture Works to be part of this lovely event tonight, to come and sing in the dark on Culture Night and that would be too good an opportunity to miss. I mean, to be in this setting, this landscape. How lucky are we!"
Cllr David Collins is Cathaoirleach of Galway County Council: "This stunning event will captivate audiences as the grounds are transformed into a magical experience through light and performance by local and national artists.
"We celebrate together in the heart of Conamara. In the true spirit of Culture Night, everyone is welcome," he added.
"With an extraordinary lineup of women artists and producers, 'Where Light Lingers' promises to enthrall local, national and international audiences at one of our most stunning locations," said arts officer at Galway County Council, Sharon O’Grady.
"As winter steps closer, this is our rare and welcome opportunity to come together to celebrate and deepen our connection with artists, community and light," said Liz McConnell, Executive Director, The Kylemore Trust.
Nearby in the Gothic chapel on the grounds of Kylemore Abbey, Wexford-based artist Gillian O’Shea is putting the finishing touches to her interactive installation called 'March' - a play on the cardboard hares she has individually sculpted and placed in the pews of the church.
"The hares are built up as an army and they represent the natural world and I'm appealing, I suppose, to humans to take note of the impact they are having on the environment. So when visitors come through tonight and walk into the space there's an immersive light projected of a storm which starts quite calm but as people get closer the storm intensifies and turns into thunder and lightning with a soundscape to go with it.
"What I'm setting out to achieve is that people become aware that they are triggering this volatility as they move through it," explained Ms O'Shea.
Tonight's event is free and people are asked to arrive half an hour ahead of the 9pm start.
Mayo
Abhaile is a celebration of the unique talents of the students of Coláiste Pobail Acla. The students from the island are immersed in a rich, cultural environment with inspirational, scenic surrounds. Many of them are gifted musically coming from long-standing, musical families. The island is renowned for its strong cultural heritage with a vibrant hub of musicians and artists.
Coláiste Pobail Acla will showcase their talents tonight in a concert of music, song and recitation performing alongside students from the Ukrainian community who are credited with enriching the school community.
The village of Balla will host a multi-cultural night, incorporating different communities in a variety of activities including arts and crafts and ethnic food tasting.
The Clew Bay Film Festival is a new grassroots film event celebrating creativity, community, and connection on the edge of the Atlantic. For Culture Night, they are hosting a special evening of short films by Irish and international filmmakers in a unique coastal setting on Acaill. The programme will highlight diverse voices, local stories, and bold, independent cinema with a focus on themes of landscape, identity, and resilience.
Audiences will enjoy an atmospheric, intimate screening experience in a pop-up cinema space - either indoors or semi-outdoor depending on weather - followed by an informal Q&A or discussion with some of the filmmakers or curators. This free event is open to all, aiming to bring people together for a shared cultural moment in a remote but creatively rich part of Ireland.
Organisers say the Culture Night screening will offer visitors and locals alike the chance to experience "fresh, compelling cinema in a welcoming, informal setting - showcasing Achill as both a cinematic location and a creative hub."
The event will also serve as a preview of a full Clew Bay Film Festival planned for 2026, building a platform for emerging artists, fostering dialogue, and strengthening cultural life on the island.
Sligo
In Sligo, the music of Turlough O'Carolan will be performed in a collaboration with the Sligo Baroque Orchestra.
Rod Alston is Artistic Director and he founded the orchestra 35 years ago.
"What we are aiming to do for Culture Night is a collaboration between Sligo Baroque Orchestra and Mossie Martin and his Carolan trio.
"It's based around the music of Turlough O'Carolan, and also what we now think of as Baroque music that was being performed at the same time during Carolan's lifetime, and in particular we're playing Francesco Giminiani who came and lived in Ireland for two periods in his lifetime, and actually died in Ireland. He would be our most illustrious composer in Ireland.
"The orchestra membership has a core of around15 players and most of the music we're performing on Culture Night involves strings," said Mr Alston.
