Culture Night at Áras an Uachtaráin
Date: Thu 11th Aug, 2016 | 10:51
For the third year, the President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins, and his wife, Sabina, are delighted to open Áras an Uachtarain to the public on Culture Night, 16th September, 2016.
Visitors will be given an insight into the history of the official residence of the President and a cultural performance will be presented. Culture Night at Áras an Uachtaráin will run from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.
This is 'Ticket Only' event. The application process has now closed and tickets have been allocated.
Entertainers for the evening
Elsafty, Armstrong & Browne
This trio present the scintillating voice of one of Ireland’s finest sean-nós singers, Róisín Elsafty together with the very rare and meltingly beautiful sound of the medieval Irish harp, played by Ireland’s foremost historical harper, Siobhán Armstrong, woven with the diverse colours of Ronan Browne’s flutes, whistles and 170-year-old pipes.
From sparkling songs to harp laments and old pipes “pieces”, we are given a glimpse of the unique sound of early Ireland.
Being present at the coming together of these three musical minds, with their deep fascination love and respect for that past which created our present, makes for a warm,
informative and joyous cultural experience.
Smashing Time Theatre Company
Smashing Times is a professional theatre company involved in performance, training and participation. The work of the company is underpinned by a rights-based approach and a commitment to artistic excellence and social engagement. The company was established in 1991 by a group of women actors who met at the Focus Theatre, Dublin
The company creates original performances to explore a range of social and political themes relevant to people's lives and to encourage cross-border and cross-community communication.
1. Guests arriving at Áras an Uachtaráin between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. will see a Smashing Times Theatre Company performance of:
Constance (3 p.m. to 5 p.m.)
Performed by Roisin Mac Atamney
Written and directed by Mary Moynihan, with poetry extracts from Eva Gore Booth
In this monologue, Countess Markievicz (Constance Gore-Booth) speaks to us about her memories of the 1916 Easter Rising and her time in prison, remembering her sister Eva Goore-Booth. Constance was the first woman elected to the British House of Commons and first female Cabinet Minister in Europe.
2. Guests arriving at Áras an Uachtaráin between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. will see a Smashing Times Theatre Company performance of:
Grace and Joe (7p.m. to 9p.m.)
Performed by Carla Ryan
Written and directed by Mary Moynihan, based on writings and witness statements from Joseph Mary Plunkett and Grace Gifford, with writing input from DIT Conservatory of Music and Drama actors
In this piece, Grace Gifford tells the story of her time with Joseph Mary Plunkett, one of the leaders executed after the 1916 Easter Rising and the youngest signatory to the Irish Proclamation and how they were married in Kilmainham Gaol chapel seven hours before his execution.