More than 100 arts events will take place across Galway next Friday night in galleries, halls, theatres, museums and outdoors. There will be music, exhibitions, drama, films, talks and workshops – and everything is free.  BERNIE Ní FHLATHARTA casts an eye on what will be happening.

Once a year, every September, Culture Night returns like a gift. In fact it is a gift, because all the events are free — with the doors of theatres, galleries and community halls countrywide being thrown open to the public.

Next Friday, September 20, is the 19th year of Culture Night and people in Galway will be spoilt for choice. Between city and county, there are more than 100 events to choose from, all laid out in two colourful brochures, collated by Galway and City Council.

Perusing these brochures online is a feast for the eyes and soul, such is the fantastic array of entertainment that will transform the city and towns and villages across the county into cultural hives of activity. There are events to satisfy all the senses — listening, seeing, touching and feeling. And afterwards, you can talk about what you’ve attended to all and sundry.

In the city, there’s opera in the Augustinian Church, Afro Sounds in Cooke’s Thatch Bar, a blues jam in The Cellar and an evening of Indian classical dancing in St Mary’s College.

There will 30 plays in 60 minutes at Electric on Abbeygate Street, where the audience can pick from the drama menu as they go along and all plays will be performed in brief, obviously.

Fíbín sa Taibhdhearc has once again come up with the goods with their new show, Croí Óir, which will immerse audiences of all ages in a bustling Algerian market on Middle Street where the legendary story of the Claddagh Ring and its creator, Richard Joyce, will be vividly brought to life in Irish.

Arts Officer with Galway City Council Ruth Mulhern said that Fíbín had offered “a huge capacity for us in the past three years”, praising the company for what they had brought to the arts.

Other big events in the city include Otherworld at Outset Gallery in the Cornstore, which is a multi-disciplinary arts event showcasing quality music acts from Galway and beyond, using an immersive audio-visual system.

At the launch of the city’s line-up Deputy Mayor, Cllr Niall McNelis,  described Culture Night as “a cornerstone of our annual arts calendar, offering a unique opportunity for the public to engage with and explore the diverse and dynamic cultural offerings across the Galway at a wide range of events.

“It underscores the vital role that our local artists play in enriching the cultural landscape of our city, said Cllr McNelis as he expressed his gratitude to the local “artistic community for their unwavering commitment and exceptional contributions”.

The city’s iconic Spanish Arch will turn into an interactive canvas next Friday night, with participants of all ages being invited to use their smartphones to create and project works of art onto Comerford House, crafting a display of light and colour onto the building.

Glowscape at the PorterShed will also provide an immersive light experience, as will In Search of Hy-Brasil, being presented by the Architecture at the Edge festival.

Pictured: A talk and exhibition on IRA Chief of Staff Liam Lynch (1893-1923), based on letters between him and his brother Tom, will be given by their grandniece, artist Dolores Lyne, in Druid’s Mick Lally Theatre from 8.30pm.