Greetings from 1691
Culture Night 2026 fills Limerick's galleries, studios and heritage sites with late-evening events across the city and county on Friday.
The Hospital Arts & Culture Festival also gets underway in County Limerick this week, running five days of GAA, trad music and family entertainment through Sunday.
Dolan's hosts The Blow In's and Paahto and the Bull on consecutive nights, and Peter Hanly is back on the Belltable stage in Rough Magic's What Are You Afraid Of?
This is our pick of what's on this week. As always for a full event list check out the link at the bottom of the email.
Let's dive in 👇
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
Culture Night 2026
Friday 18 September · From 17:00 · Venues across Limerick city and county
Galleries, museums, artist studios and heritage sites across the city and county stay open later than usual for this nationwide celebration, supported by the Arts Council and Limerick City and County Council. This year's programme includes a fashion show on Thomas Street, craft workshops at the College of FET and an opera singer touring the city by trishaw.
Hospital Arts & Culture Festival 2026
Wednesday 16 to Sunday 20 September · Hospital, Co. Limerick
Five days of community celebration in the County Limerick village, opening at Tiffy Cafe and running through GAA tournaments, trad music nights, theatre and a poetry cafe. Family entertainment includes a kids' disco and a teddy bear picnic, and the week closes with a lantern parade on Sunday evening.
What Are You Afraid Of?
Friday 18 - 19 September · 20:00 · Belltable
Peter Hanly, who stepped back from a 30-year acting career after severe stage fright during rehearsals in 2011, is back on stage in this Rough Magic and Kilkenny Arts Festival production. A cast of three examines how fear can hold you back, change your course or stop you in your tracks, in a show described as funny, moving and deeply personal.
The Blow In's
Wednesday 16 September · 20:00 · Dolan's Kasbah
Cían O'Leary, Oisín O'Regan and Darragh Brosnan make up this Kerry three-piece, pairing raspy vocals and layered guitar work with accordion and traditional Irish influences. They've built a following on the college circuit after opening slots for The Mary Wallopers and James Vincent McMorrow.
Paahto and the Bull
Thursday 17 September · 20:00 · Dolan's Upstairs
Patrick "Paahto" Cummins and John Francis Flynn have played together since 2011, stripping their sound back to two guitars for a project that draws on bluegrass flat-picking and progressive playing. The Claddagh Records duo are due to release their debut album this year.
Ryan Davis and The Roadhouse Band
Friday 18 September · 20:00 · Dolan's Kasbah
The Louisville songwriter brings his backing band to Dolan's Kasbah in support of New Threats from the Soul, a record that pictures humanity as "jerry-rigs of bubblegum and driftwood" while it searches for redemption and hope.
Designer Street Fashion Show
Friday 18 September · 18:00 · Thomas Street
Part of Culture Night, this outdoor runway on Thomas Street features emerging and established Limerick designers who work in sustainable fashion, recycled clothing and eco-friendly materials.
The Craft Studios
Friday 18 September · 18:00 · College of FET, Mulgrave Street
Another Culture Night session, with back-to-back workshops in ceramics and yarn spinning, plus a working spinning wheel and raw fleece for visitors to try.
The Cycling Operatic Convoy
Friday 18 September · 18:30 · Arthur's Quay Park to King John's Castle
A professional opera singer travels the city by passenger trishaw as part of Culture Night, pausing at landmarks along the route from Arthur's Quay Park to King John's Castle while cyclists and spectators follow.
Tony | IFI@Belltable
Monday 21 September · 17:00 and 20:00 · Belltable
Matt Johnson's film imagines a 19-year-old Anthony Bourdain drifting into restaurant life on Cape Cod after missing out on a writing fellowship, with Antonio Banderas as the restaurant owner who takes him under his wing.
Donal Ryan in conversation with Sarah Moore
Tuesday 22 September · 19:30 · University Concert Hall
Donal Ryan opens the University Concert Hall's new Book Club series, presented with the UL Creative Writing MA, discussing his novel Where Are the Kings with Sarah Moore. The story follows family, grief, love and growing up through a young boy's eyes.
Explore Limerick: Stories, Streets & Heritage
From 15 September · 12:00 · Arthur's Quay Park
Limerick Civic Trust guides lead this 90-minute walking tour through the city's history, taking in King John's Castle, St Mary's Cathedral, the Treaty Stone and the River Shannon.
Behind the Scenes at Henry Street Garda Station
Friday 18 September · 18:00 · Henry Street Garda Station
This Culture Night tour opens An Garda Síochána's divisional headquarters to the public, with visits to specialist units such as the Armed Response Unit, Divisional Scenes of Crime and Divisional Drugs Unit, and a chance to meet student Gardaí about joining the force.
The Menace Quiz with Darragh Ennis
Tuesday 22 September · 19:30 · Dolan's Warehouse
Darragh Ennis, known for his role on The Chase, hosts a fast-paced pub quiz spanning general knowledge, pop culture and history, with teams of any size competing through the Redtooth Smart Quiz app.
For a full overview of all events on this week in Limerick check out our event listings page
UNTIL NEXT WEEK
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