Culture Night at Strokestown Park

Keeping The Connection

An evening to celebrate the connections we have nurtured over time in this place.

On Friday, 20th September

There will be something for everyone this Culture Night at Strokestown Park House.

With a series of events taking place in the Vaulted Stables performance space, and the lovely enclosed former stable yard, it will be an evening filled with music, art, film and even some dressing up.

Early career researcher and PhD candidate Grace Rinehart-Macrae is an expert in historical clothing when she isn’t studying medieval castles for her thesis. Using historically accurate designs and up-cycled materials Grace hand stitches costumes for theatre, and re-enactments. For Culture Night, Grace will present samples of her work and will explain the process of making them.  You may even get a chance to dress up in an outfit originally designed hundreds of years ago!

Paper conservator and artist Olena Kovalevych, along with some of our volunteer team has been putting together an exhibition of paintings, based on the Historic Walled Gardens at the Park. Olena is a master of the petrykivka painting style. There will be a drop-in workshop where participants will learn some of the basics of this traditional painting style, which has been listed on the UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural heritage of Humanity.

Both Grace’s and Olena’s workshops are perfect for all ages.

Fim maker Padraig Cunningham and sound artist Natalia Beylis have collaborated on a short film inspired by the work of the curator and volunteers here at Strokestown Park House, as they sort through a collection of recently re-discovered artefacts. This film which has been inspired by the idea that objects have their own history and story, will be shown for the first time on Culture Night. This film has been kindly supported by Creative Ireland through Roscommon County Council Arts Office.

Curator, archivist and musician Martin Fagan returns to Strokestown Park House, bringing his band Stalked by Story to perform in the historic surroundings of the Vaulted Stables. Hailing from Westmeath, Stalked by Story are building up a steady following throughout the midlands and will bring their Gothic folk tales of souls from times long past, rural heroes and heroines to the good people of Strokestown.

Be prepared to be amazed by sound artist Natalia Beylis who will perform original work inspired by her time spent at Strokestown House this year. Natalia’s’ art revolves somewhere between sonic story-teller and multi-instrumental explorer. She has released 35 albums between solo works and collaborations and has appeared on numerous compilation releases.

We are thrilled to have such a high calibre of artists with us for Culture Night and we hope that you can come along to experience this wonderful initiative with us.

Events will start at 6pm and run until 9.30pm.  All events are free, booking not required.