Culture Night Returns to Louth on Friday 18 September
Louth County Council is inviting people across the county to come together for a night of FREE cultural discovery, creativity and connection as Culture Night 2026 takes place on Friday, 18 September.
With more than 30 free events taking place in venues across County Louth, Culture Night offers an opportunity for people of all ages to experience the rich creativity, heritage and cultural life of the county. From music and storytelling to visual arts, local history, food and film, the programme showcases the diverse talent and cultural offerings that make Louth such a vibrant place to live, work and visit.
Louth’s Culture Night programme is coordinated by Louth County Council. This year, Louth County Council provided more than €40,000 in grant support to individuals, artists, groups, venues, and organisations across the county to deliver events as part of the national celebration. Funding was made available through the Culture Night Fund, supported by Louth County Council and the Arts Council of Ireland, and Cultúr 2026, the national cultural programme for Ireland’s EU Presidency.
Commenting on the programme, Cllr Dolores Minogue, Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council, said:
“Culture Night is an opportunity for people across the county to enjoy free access to an incredible range of artistic, cultural and heritage experiences in their own communities. The Louth programme celebrates the creativity, talent, traditions, and innovations that make our county unique while bringing people together to connect, explore and be inspired. I encourage everyone to take the opportunity to attend an event, support local artists and discover something new on this special night.”
David Conway, Chief Executive of Louth County Council, added:
“Culture Night demonstrates the important role that the arts play in building inclusive, connected and sustainable communities throughout the whole county. Through our ongoing support of artists, venues and community organisations, Louth County Council is committed to promoting and developing the arts across the county and ensuring that culture, expression, and creativity remain accessible to everyone. I would encourage everyone to attend an event this Culture Night, support our artists, enjoy the amazing talent, and have a fun night out.”
The Culture Night 2026 programme for Louth features more than 30 FREE events in traditional and unexpected venues across the county. This year will see the Friends of Collon Church host their first-ever Culture Night event, offering an evening of music, architecture, and fascinating local stories in the newly renovated church.
John Rountree, Friends of Collon Church, said:
“We are delighted to be hosting our first Culture Night event and to have the opportunity to welcome people into Collon Church. The evening will celebrate not only the building’s remarkable history and architecture, but also the stories, music and community spirit that make it such a special place. We are looking forward to sharing this unique venue with visitors from across Louth and beyond.”
Moya Hodgers, Arts Officer with Louth County Council, said:
“Culture Night is a fantastic opportunity for people of all ages to discover and celebrate the rich cultural and artistic life of County Louth. With a diverse programme of free events taking place in venues throughout Louth, I would encourage people to get involved, try something new and experience the creativity and talent that exists in every corner of our county.”
Now in its 21st year, Culture Night is an initiative of the Arts Council delivered in partnership with Local Authorities and cultural organisations throughout the island of Ireland with support from the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport.
For the full Culture Night 2026 programme of events, visit culturenight.ie/events.
