DONEGAL County Council Culture Division is proud to present its 18th programme of events for Culture Night, the all-island public event that celebrates culture, creativity, and the arts.
Taking place on Friday, September 18, Culture Night is “One Night For All,” with events taking place across the county.
Donegal County Council Arts Officer Traolach Ó Fionnáin said: “As Culture Night 2026 gets closer, Donegal is ready to host one of its most exciting and welcoming programmes yet.
“It’s a night for everyone to come together and celebrate the culture that makes Donegal unique.
“This year’s programme has a great selection of in-person events, from an evening in Glenveagh National Park and Donegal Castle, to performance trails, concerts, walking tours and exhibitions taking place across the county.
“There are a host of events to celebrate Oíche Chultúir in our Gaeltacht areas too, which you can find online or in the programme.
Inishowen Carnival
Presents SPIRIT ANIMALS
In Bernard McGlinchey Town Park, Inishowen Carnival presents Spirit Animals, a sculpture and performance trail exploring how ancient cultures mythologised the animals that lived around them; myths of shapeshifters with mystical powers, messengers from the Otherworld, and guardians of the land and forests.
The sculpture trail opens at 6pm, with performances at 8pm and 9pm.
On the Ted Ponsonby Stage in Bernard McGlinchey Town Park, the World Culture Open Air Performances return to celebrate Donegal’s multicultural community.
Performers from Ukraine, Ireland, South Africa and the Indian community will bring the Town Park amphitheatre to life with music, dance and song from 7pm to 8pm.
A Donegal and
Poland Celebration
The Inisowiacy Polish Folk Group will bring an evening of traditional dance, live music and colourful regional costumes to An Grianán Theatre Plaza, from 7.00pm to 8.00pm.
The performance will be introduced by His Excellency Artur Michalski, Ambassador of the Republic of Poland in Ireland.
Culture Night at the Castle
Glenveagh Castle is opening late for Culture Night for a unique evening not to be missed.
Costumed characters will welcome visitors, live music will fill the castle and visitor centre, and guests can meet the castle’s friendly gardeners and get creative with nature.
The evening concludes with a performance from acclaimed fiddler Jack Houston, from 7pm to 8pm in the Audio Visual Theatre.
The Castle Tea Rooms and Nellie’s Restaurant will open late.
Donegal Castle presents Goladoo Ensemble & Friends for an evening of music by the celebrated blind harper and composer Turlough O’Carolan (1670–1738), running from 7pm to 8.30pm.
Exhibitions
Donegal County Museum marks the centenary of Rockwell Kent’s stay in the remote valley of Glenlough, near Gleann Cholm Cille, with the exhibition Rockwell Kent: An American Artist in Donegal.
Visitors can also encounter The Banshee (bean sí), Ireland’s supernatural harbinger brought to life by artist Cormac O’Kane.
A display of vintage and classic vehicles will also be on show, courtesy of the Donegal Vintage and Classic Car Club.
At the Regional Cultural Centre (RCC), the new exhibition The Rain Tells Us Everything brings together new work alongside Open Collection, which draws together artworks from public collections across Donegal.
The RCC also hosts family-friendly drop-ins, RCC Kids: Draw Yourself and RCC Kids: Mini Cinema, and an open rehearsal from the Donegal Youth Orchestra.
Choirs and Orchestra
In Conwal Parish Church, the Donegal Chamber Orchestra performs from 7pm to 8pm, while in St. Eunan’s Cathedral, Letterkenny, The Conwal Singers will be joined by The Donagh Choir from Carndonagh.
For more information on the full programme, visit http:www.culturenight.iedonegal
In Donegal Town, The Bluestack Chorale, The Abbey Singers and EnCor Tirconaill will perform together in the local Presbyterian Church.
South Donegal
and Inishowen Events
The Edge of the Atlantic, Heart and Sound of the Arts, will transform Buncrana’s Main Street into a living gallery and open stage after 6pm.
In Donegal Town, the Donegal Railway Heritage Museum presents an evening of readings with the Tír Conaill Writing Group, and Station Sessions, an intimate performance from folk duo Without Willow in Coach 58.
In Ballyshannon, the Old Barracks Studios and Gallery, opens its doors to the public.
Other events in this year’s programme include an event at Cló & Co in Ramelton, The Cottage at the End of the Universe, a group exhibition of art, film and other worlds at The Cottage Bar, and Behind The Scenes In The Library, where over 30 years work of Donegal-associated authors and articles goes on display.
For more information on the full programme, visit http:www.culturenight.iedonegal