Events took place at various venues across Fermanagh last Friday night to celebrate Culture Night.

Arts and cultural organisations throughout the county shared their talents with the public on Friday, September 20, with all events and activities offered free of charge.

In Enniskillen, Culture Night kicked off at the Island Town Creative Shop with a special evening of traditional music provided by local musicians Cyril Maguire, Gabriel McArdle, Francey Rasdale and Cathal McConnell who performed a selection of tunes featured in the book ‘Hidden Fermanagh’. Set in the casual yet intimate venue of the Creative Shop, the talented musicians played traditional reels, sang songs passed down by generations and told stories and jokes, reminiscing bygone days.

Over at Enniskillen Castle, revellers were welcome to explore the museums and castle grounds whilst performances and events took place throughout the venue. Shauna McMorrow and Pete Creswell played amongst the exhibitions, performing a selection of easy-listening songs on guitar followed by readings of a selection of stories from the upcoming publication Fermanagh Folktales by authors Carlo Gébler and Séamas MacAnnaidh.

The Culture Express organised by FLive set off from outside the castle, taking those on board on a visual arts trail across the town, starting at the Devenish Gallery. Traditional musicians The Travellin’ Trads performed in the gallery space as revellers admired the fascinating sculptures by Helen Merrigan Colfer and dramatic artworks by Gerard McGourty. The Culture Express continued onwards to Waterways Ireland where the works of Julian Friers PPRUA adorn the walls of the gallery space, featuring portraits of Gaby McArdle, John Kelly and Neil Hannon to name a few.

In Derrygonnelly, Doogie’s Bar celebrated Irish culture and tradition on Culture Night with the launch of Eddie Duffy and Mick Hoy Traditional Music Festival. A Culture Night Concert took place at Kinawley Community Centre with traditional music performed by local Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann groups. Crochet and craic was enjoyed in Lisnaskea as Florence Creighton demonstrated basic crochet stitches in Lisnaskea Library whilst Newtownbutler CCÉ hosted an evening to celebrate Fermanagh’s success at the Ulster Fleadh at Newtownbutler Courthouse Community Centre.

It was a great night celebrating culture in its many different forms across Fermanagh.