‘A magical night’: Kerry’s vibrancy was on full display during Culture Night 2025
The KerrymanCulture Night witnessed over 60 events across Kerry exhibiting the county’s cultural wealth and creative spirit.
Adriano da Silva performing in The Skellig Soap and Photography gallery in Cahersiveen for Culture Night 2025.
Lucie Heisserer and Clare Horgan performing at The Open Mic Session at The Kerry Coast Hotel in Cahersiveen for Culture Night 2025.
The Skellig Theatre Group giving a performance of Genoicide? which looked into the history of the famine in the Cahersiveen area,L-R:Sean Sugrue,Stephanie O'Shea,Huw Jones,Lynn Robinson,James McCarthy.
A Heritage and History Walk hosted by local historian Michael O'Connell as part of The Culture Night Trail in Cahersiveen for Culture Night 2025.
Cormac Dineen on the viola for Culture Night Open Mic at The Kerry Coast Hotel in Cahersiveen.
Cahersiveen's Coleman Quirke introducing a book reading on the subject of 'Refugees Is A Powerful Word"in his shop as part of Culture Night in Cahersiveen.Photography by Michael G Kenny
Repro Free :: Pictured : Ava Stackpoole and Paivi Dowds enjoy one of the many workshops at the Kerry County Museum on Culture Night . 19.9.2025 : . Culture Night was celebrated across Ireland on Friday, 19 September, bringing communities together in the spirit of creativity and connection. At the Kerry County Museum, visitors were invited to experience a very special evening of openness, discovery, celebration, and belonging. The museum opened its doors after hours, giving the public a rare opportunity to explore its displays as well as areas that are normally closed to visitors. From fascinating exhibitions to hidden spaces, the night offered a unique glimpse into Kerry’s rich history and heritage, making it a memorable occasion for families, history enthusiasts, and curious minds alike. Photo By : Domnick Walsh © Eye Focus LTD . Domnick Walsh Photographer is an Irish Aviation Authority ( IAA ) approved Quadcopter Pilot. Tralee Co Kerry Ireland. Mobile Phone : 00 353 87 26 72 033 Land Line : 00 353 66 71 22 981 E/Mail : info@dwalshphoto.ie Web Site : www.dwalshphoto.ie ALL IMAGES ARE COVERED BY COPYRIGHT ©
Through many towns and villages, Culture Night 2025 showcased the very best of Kerry’s song, dance, storytelling and numerous other artistic endeavours.
The festival, which is in its 12th iteration nationwide, was hailed by organisers in Kerry as a roaring success, with audiences and participants well entertained over the course of the night.
Councillor Michael Foley, who attended some of the proceedings said: “It was a magical night. Kerry has a wealth of culture and it is a privilege to witness the standard of offerings across communities on Culture Night.”
Tralee’s County Museum and Siamsa Tíre were hubs of activity as music, dance, medieval re-enactments, and even fire jugglers, were enjoyed by enthusiastic crowds. The breathless Quick Step Céilí was a highlight for participants while performances by the young, rising musicians in Music Generation Kerry’s Tralee Band Project awed keen listeners.
Needless to say, theatrics were in no short supply, as Siamsa goers were privy to the Kerry Youth Theatre’s impressive ‘The Wishing Tree’, while in Listowel audiences were captivated by Niamh O’Brien’s ‘The Telling’. In Killarney, 'Swiping & Punching', an original play written and directed by West End House student Michelle Rosney, proved very popular.
Indeed, the mountain capital was alive with the spectacle of the street performers that enthralled audiences in College Square. MOTHÚ’s giant puppet of warrior, legend and patron saint of the bees, Gobnait, created a buzz accompanied by fire and dance.
There was something for nostalgic tastes in Castleisland as internationally renowned singer Misha Dimov & Friends delivered a high-class musical performance, delighting with its selection of pop, rock, blues and jazz classics. Meanwhile some of the most iconic musicals of the 20th Century were performed by talented Kerry School of Music students and the Light Opera Society in Tralee. The more avant-garde side of Kerry’s artistic community was represented by Zoe Rush’s “Echoes of the Home Shore” in Castlemain, which explored environmental stories with improvised live music and imagery.
The night was also educational, with many towns and villages welcoming workshops and walking tours. Killorgin hosted interactive lessons from paper quilling to photography while Cahersiveen punched above its weight, putting on 20 events including a walking tour of the town, which encompassing its history and folklore. A playwriting workshop led by Fiona Doyle was received excitedly in Killarney’s West End House by inspired amateurs and in Castlemain artist Julie Lovett guided participants through a insightful painting demonstration, revealing her methods of composition, perspective and how to translate a feeling of place onto canvas.
A nod to Ireland’s Gaelic culture came most poignantly in the form of the bi-lingual evening of local music, song and story at the Binneas Collection in Foilmore, hosted by Peter and Rosaleen Mullarkey and guest artists.
Culture Night in Kerry was organised by KCC’s Arts Office, with help from the Arts Council and Creative Ireland.
Arts Officer at Kerry County Council (KCC), Kate Kennelly said: “On behalf of the Arts Office, a big thank you to all artists, creatives and organisations that delivered such a wonderful array of activity on the night, it takes commitment, time and effort and we are very proud of Kerry’s art sector and the events on Culture Night.”
Coordinator of the night at KCC, Hannah Pinckheard, also thanked audiences and participants for coming out and supporting the arts in Kerry.
“Each year the programme brings something new…there was a real vibrancy around Kerry on the night which would not exist without all those who contribute and work throughout the year,” she said.
“On behalf of myself and the team in the Arts Office I would like to thank all who worked, organised, created, dreamed, facilitated, or performed as part of Culture Night 2025.”