What to do in north Wexford for Culture Night

Author of the book 'The boy who kicked the nun', Mick O Callaghan will take to the stage at Murphy's Restaurant on Main Street, Gorey. Kicking off at 6.30p.m. Margaret Sherif a local widely published writer will join Mick on stage as well as Seamus Kavanagh, the author of the widely acclaimed poetry book 'Reflections in Rhyme' published by Carol Boland of Boland Press Hollyfort.

Jazz Token, who are based in Baltinglass, will provide musical entertainment on the evening. Guests can expect jazz standards and instrumentals from the swing era to the nineteen sixties with a more modern flavour.

Not far down the road in Gorey Library, Gorey Art Circle will be celebrating their 50th birthday with an exhibition which is running from Monday, September 16 to Sunday, September 30.

Meanwhile, Gorey School of Art is also hosting Culture Night to celebrate diversity and community growth, with a special focus on younger audiences. Activities will include live music events, film screenings and discussions, as well as interactive art workshops like zine-making, painting, and digital art.

The night aims to raise cultural awareness, promote inclusivity, foster community spirit, and support youth engagement, making Gorey School of Art the go-to destination for cultural enrichment.

If you're looking for a more historic activity, why not explore the rich history of north Wexford through a series exhibitions and tours of Saint Michael's Church. The church is Pugin's Romanesque right in the heart of Gorey. These events are open to everyone. Guests will be able to explore how the history of Saint Michael's is intricately interwoven with the broader history of Gorey and the wider north Wexford area.

For an opportunity to take a trip down memory lane, Askamore Community Hall will be displaying old 8mm film by Fr. Lennon. The parish priest captured local weddings, point to point racing and the new local Carnew School in the 1960's. This informal community event will be great chance to connect with the local community and be apart of an archiving project which aims to preserve the local heritage.

Similarly, to celebrate Culture Night, the Wexford Normandy Cultural Association will host a talk by John Nangle on the Esmonde family and their connection to Normandy from the 12th century. The event will take place at 7p.m. in The Wine Buff in Gorey on Friday, September 20. Following the talk a glass of French wine will be served to those in attendance.

John is a historian who has a wide knowledge of the Esmonde family. His interest stems from the fact that they were a prominent family in north Wexford who were different to other landlords of the time – they were catholic and were able to maintain their lands after the Restoration of Charles ll.

While some branches of the family enlisted and fought in the British forces down through the years, other family members took a more nationalist view – the duality continued to more modern times when in the 20th century, Sir Thomas, the 11th Baron, supported the nationalist cause while his son fought with the British and died at the Battle of Jutland. Culture Night in Gorey is supported by the Arts Council, Wexford County Council, Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District, and the County Wexford Arts Office.