30.04.19
Festival encourages visitors to have a Culture Date with Dublin 8
‘Culture Date with Dublin 8’ will run from Saturday, 18th – Sunday 19th of May. The festival now in its third year highlights the postal district of D8 as one of Ireland’s top cultural destinations. The weekend will see a series of over 30 free and specially curated events taking place across some of Dublin’s top historical landmarks including Kilmainham Gaol, Saint Patrick’s Cathedral and IMMA – Irish Museum of Modern Art. The festival aims to encourage people who are living, working and visiting the area to discover the hidden gem that may be right on their doorstep.
This year, visitors can explore an ancient crypt and get a chance to ring the bells of Christ Church Cathedral, enjoy an outdoor concert in the temple at Goldenbridge Cemetery or be transported back to World War 1 with theatrical re-enactments at the National War Memorial Gardens. Kilmainham Gaol will be providing free tours over the weekend and presenting new, and never previously exhibited, civil war artefacts. For children, Marsh’s Library will be hosting a LEGO® Minifigures treasure hunt of historical writers, and Richmond Barracks will hold speciality tours and a workshop in local Biodiversity. At the Irish Museum of Modern Art, visitors can avail of free tickets for ‘Gaze’. This will mark the final weekend of the exhibition that features the work of Lucian Freud widely considered one of the most important figurative painters of the 20th Century. Freud’s work is shown alongside contemporary artists such as Marina Abramovic and Annie Leibovitz.
The festival’s organiser Grace McEvoy is encouraging visitors to come and be inspired:
“From medieval history to modern art, Dublin 8 is home to some of Ireland’s richest cultural and heritage sites. If you have never rung the bells in Saint Patrick’s Cathedral or visited the crypt in Christ Church this is an opportunity for both locals and visitors to the area to come and experience something truly inspiring. Tours that you would usually pay for will be free and museums will allow access to areas that would usually be off limits to the public”.
Culture Date with Dublin 8 will run from Saturday, 18th – Sunday 19th of May. All the events are free but booking may be required. The programme has expanded this year and includes a number of new heritage sites. The full schedule of events is available on the festival’s website: www.culturedatewithdublin8.ie
