THIS Friday September 19 promises to be a spectacular evening of arts and culture across Limerick City, with venues opening their doors for the annual Culture Night festivities. Here are some of our top picks for the evening.
The Milk Market
The heart of Limerick’s food scene transforms into a family wonderland this Culture Night. Visitors can enjoy a mobile petting farm alongside the market’s renowned street food vendors and vintage shops. A live blacksmith demonstration will showcase traditional crafts, whilst local musicians provide the soundtrack to an evening of community celebration.
Behind the Scenes at Henry Street Garda Station
A rare opportunity to glimpse inside the Divisional Headquarters awaits the public from 6pm to 8pm. Tours will showcase the specialised units that keep Limerick safe, including the Armed Response Unit, Divisional Scenes of Crime, and Community Policing Unit. Demonstrations of body-worn cameras and insights from Garda Reserves offer a fascinating look at modern policing.
LELLOW @ Mother Mac’s Public House
Jazz enthusiasts should head to Mother Mac’s from 10pm to midnight for this vibrant outdoor performance. A professional quintet will deliver an eclectic mix spanning American, Latin, Middle Eastern, and European jazz traditions—a free celebration of musical diversity under the Limerick sky.
Stories, Song & Stage at the Hunt Museum
After-hours access to the Hunt Collection pairs beautifully with the landmark exhibition “From Dickie to Richard: Richard Harris Role of a Lifetime,” honouring Ireland’s beloved actor.
Family-friendly performances in the museum garden precede an intimate evening of storytelling and music in the Captain’s Room.
Dance Limerick: A Night of Movement
Beginning at 6pm, this inclusive celebration offers something for everyone. Watch performances by artists with and without disabilities, participate in beginner-friendly taster sessions, then dance the night away with Top 8’s hip-hop performances and live Afrobeat from Dublin’s Yankari Collective until 11pm.
Art and History at Ormston House
Extended opening hours until 9pm allow visitors to explore “Bíodh Orm Anocht,” featuring four contemporary Irish artists working with natural materials. Historian Sharon Slater leads a compelling walk and talk (5-6pm) from Ormston House to the little-known St. Michael’s Cemetery at Charlotte’s Quay, sharing stories of Limerick’s hidden heritage.
Photography Showcase at City Gallery
Limerick Camera Club presents a diverse exhibition of members’ work at the Limerick City Gallery of Art. With over 80 photographers from beginners to seasoned professionals, visitors can chat with club members about their craft and passion for capturing life through the lens.
Late Night Sessions at Record Room
The Commercial Bar’s Record Room hosts Limerick’s finest DJs from 10:30pm until close, with special guest performances by saxophonist Methembe and SB drums featuring tribal rhythms from West Africa.
70’s V 80’s Silent Disco
Limerick’s Biggest 70’s v 80’s Silent Disco Battle Ever !!! Two of Limerick’s classic club nights are back for one night only for Culture Night 2025 at Wickham Way from 8pm.
Boogie Wonderland was the long running Saturday night club at the Theatre Royal where ABBA, Chic and the Specials all lived side by side with DJ King Flare on the decks.
Will Leahy’s Electric Dreams was the only Friday night out in town worth the hair gel from the Human League to Bananrama and Madonna to Van Halen all the 80’s tribes were kept dancing.
Limerick’s Beat Club legacy
Pictured: Six man lineup in 1967, John Hockedy, Jack Costelloe, Guido Di Vito, John Ryan, Cha Haran and Johnny Duhan.
Limerick’s vibrant 1960s beat club scene will be brought back to life this Culture Night as musician Cha Haran, former member of The Intentions (later known as Granny’s Intentions), organises a special celebration of the city’s musical heritage.
Beginning at 5pm in St Joseph’s Hall, DJ Pol O’Maoileoin will spin original vinyl from legendary Limerick venues including Club a Go-Go, The Cavalier, and the Frans, recreating the atmosphere that once drew young music lovers seeking their generational soundtrack.
At 6pm, a guided walking tour led by Limerick music historian John O’Regan will visit the original city centre sites where beat bands performed.
These venues hosted acts including a young Van Morrison. Local DJs Danny Hugues and Peter Jackson were instrumental in championing the beat sound across these establishments.
The evening concludes at Punches Bar, Punches Cross, at 9pm with a special performance by MIXUMGATHERUM, a collective of Limerick musicians well-versed in the dancing hits of the era, followed by another DJ set from Pol O’Maoileoin.