Tipperary college announces series of events for Culture Night 2025

Mary Immaculate College will join communities across Ireland in celebrating the twentieth anniversary of Culture Night on Friday, September 19, by opening its Thurles campus to the public.

Culture Night, brought to you by the Arts Council, is a national celebration delivered nationwide in cities, towns, villages, rural locations, and online.

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It highlights culture, creativity, and the arts while promoting the belief that this rich and varied heritage is alive, treasured, and nurtured in people’s everyday lives.

MIC staff and students will contribute to a programme of free events, showcasing culture, heritage, music, and history.
Visitors will have the opportunity to explore historic landmarks, enjoy live performances, and experience the atmosphere of a college that has been at the heart of education and community life for generations.

The evening will feature a historical tour of the campus, followed by a musical performance by Ceola and Friends.

Patricia O’Sullivan, Enterprise and Community Engagement Manager at MIC, spoke of the importance of Culture Night to connect the College with the wider community:“Mary Immaculate College values the opportunity Culture Night provides to open our Thurles campus to the wider public and to welcome our local community to share in this national celebration. It is a wonderful occasion for our students, staff, and neighbours to come together to experience culture, creativity, and heritage in a vibrant and inclusive way. We look forward to welcoming everyone to Culture Night 2025 @ MIC.”

Echoing this, Dr Maeve Liston, Director of Enterprise and Community Engagement at MIC, highlighted the importance of Culture Night as a platform for connection and inclusivity: “Culture Night is a strategically important annual event for Mary Immaculate College, reflecting our strong commitment to culture, the arts, and inclusive, accessible community engagement. Events like Culture Night provide a valuable opportunity for MIC to connect with the wider Thurles community, fostering meaningful dialogue and shared cultural experiences. We are proud to participate in this national celebration that champions creativity and a sense of belonging.”

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Professor Jennifer Johnston, Vice Dean at MIC Thurles, added: “Culture Night at MIC Thurles is a wonderful way to celebrate the unique heritage and creativity of our campus and community. It allows us to open our doors, welcome people in, and share the history, stories, music, and traditions that make Thurles such a vibrant place to live and learn”.

All events are completely free and open to the public.

On the following evening at the Thomas MacDonagh Museum in Cloughjordan, Co Tipperary, which commemorates the life of poet and patriot Thomas MacDonagh and is hosting a four-day programme including an art exhibition, writing workshops, talks, discussions and poetry readings, Professor Eugene O’Brien, Head of the Department of English Language and Literature at MIC and Dr Ailbhe McDaid, Assistant Professor in English Literature and Language at MIC, will host a discussion on how poets respond to different political events, and the symbolic language of poetry to capture the past and current political upheavals.

For more information, check out the Thomas MacDonagh Hedge School 2025 webpage.

Events at MIC Thurles:

Historical Tour of MIC Thurles.

Time: 5pm and 6pm.

Location: Meet at Main Reception, MIC Thurles.

Explore a campus that brings together a mix of architectural styles, from Gothic and Georgian. This guided tour highlights some of its most distinctive features, including the Gothic Chapel and the serene surroundings that have provided a backdrop to centuries of academic excellence.

Musical performance by Ceola and Friends.

Time: 7-9pm.

Location: Everard Memorial Chapel, MIC Thurles.

Enjoy a concert by Ceola and Friends, a four-part vocal harmony group that performs a unique mix of traditional, folk, and contemporary songs. Booking is recommended for this performance. Please contact +353 504 20530 from Monday, September 15, to reserve your seat.