Celebrate Culture Night with Fingal Libraries

Fingal Libraries are delighted to switch on Culture Night with the rest of Ireland on September 21 with events expanding across two branches.

Returning for another year, the Blanchardstown Library Culture Night celebrations are set to be bigger and better, with magic, music, and a showcase of local talent.

As in previous years, the evening will open with the presentation of Summer Stars medals and certificates to our dedicated young borrowers, who have read eight or more books during the summer. This will kick off at 5:45pm, before Reuben the Entertainer returns for some comedy magical fun at 6:15pm. Reuben has helped us celebrate many momentous occasions in the past – most recently, he performed at our STEMfest science event – and he is always a hit with parents and children alike.


At 7pm, we will welcome back the Blanchardstown Brass Band, who are Culture Night regulars by now! The talented local group have performed the past two years in the library, and we are excited for another high energy performance of big band classics and popular favourites.

To complete the line-up, trad-band Strings and Things, who brought the nostalgia to last year’s celebrations with some beautiful Irish airs and tunes, will join us from 8pm.

Throughout the evening, the talent of our local community will be to the fore with exhibitions by the Blanchardstown Guild of the Irish Countrywomen’s Association (ICA) and The Dublin 15 Men’s Shed. Following on from an incredible exhibition in the library earlier this year, the Irish LEGO User Group will also be back, showing off their creations.

Meanwhile, Swords Library will kick off their Culture Night event at 6pm, with a Wicklow Willow workshop for all ages. Here, individuals and families will get the opportunity to learn about the ancient traditional crafts of willow wattling, fencing, and hurdle-making, with a hands-on demonstration and basketry display from Wicklow Willow.

At 7pm, the Swords Summer Stars will be presented with their certificates and prizes for taking part in the summer reading programme.

Finally, at 7:30pm, one of Ireland’s leading youth choirs, the Fingal Youth Choir, will perform to bring the Culture Night celebrations to a close.

Events in both Blanchardstown and Swords are completely free of charge, and all are welcome