A night of culture and craic

This is one of those Kilcullen Fridays when there's just an amazing list of things to do, writes Brian Byrne.

Culture Night is responsible for at least two of them. The Writers Open Mic kicks off in the Community Library at 7pm, with a number of local writers reading from their work in poetry, prose, fiction and memoir.

Then, from 8pm in the Bridge Camphill Theatre there's a celebration involving bell-ringing, music, singing and poetry from a wide range of those inside and outside the Bridge community. Something for everyone in the audience.

Earlier, Kilcullen Youth Club has scheduled from 5pm a Drumming Workshop, part of a series which will be held over coming months. This is in the Parish Centre, focal point of KiYC's general weekly activities.

And from 9pm, Jimmy Aspell is hosting a night of song in The Spout in aid of funds for the Irish Cancer Society. The night will include an auction of two very special sporting items, a signed Kildare team shirt and football and a set of racing silks from JP McManus, signed by AP McCoy.

The event is the second one organised by local talented and very popular musician Jimmy, who has been fighting cancer himself in recent years.

The headline act is Johnny Peters, while local band Flock of Budgies will also perform, along with the SC Band from Portlaoise and Jimmy himself and friends. There'll also be contributions from Jimmy's 9-year-old daughter Leah.

It's all more than any roving reporter can be asked to keep up with … but the Diary will manage somehow.