CULTURE NIGHT A SPLENDID VARIETY ENTERTAINMENT
Last night's Culture Night 2026 presentation in the Town Hall Theatre was a wonderful mix of dance, drama, humour, poetry and song that kept an almost-capacity audience entertained for more than two hours. Prior to the show, a performance in the foyer by the Kilcullen Gospel Choir warmed up all arrivals for the splendid evening that was to come.
The opening demonstrations by members of Angel's Gymnastics and Dance Theatre set the tone with some exceptional lyric dance talent, and a later performance by Roxy & Bianca continued in a similar vein. Irish dancing from the Landers and O'Dwyer schools kept the traditional forms to the fore.
The event was organised by Kilcullen Drama Group, so it was appropriate that a humorous sketch about parish life in past times should provoke appreciative chuckles. Performed by Dick Dunphy and Esther Reddy, the sketch had originally been co-written by Dick and the late stalwart of the group, Bernard Berney and has certainly stood the test of time.
The poetry standard was flown by Paddy Martin, who read a children's poem written by his late father, John, while Sean Corrigan's 'Don't Call Me A Poet', conjured up in a clever almost-rap the angst of being viewed literary in a male sports ecosphere. Mary Orford's memoir tribute to a nurse in her family who died while tending to soldiers in WW1 was a timely reminder of the individual costs of nations' conflicts.
Vocals were from Maurice O'Mahony, and, at the finale, Pat Kelly and Canice Keane, between the two acts maintaining a balance for traditional Gaelic and modern country.
In the year that it is, local people who filled in their census forms a century ago were recalled by Nessa Dunlea, Sabina Reddy, Brian Byrne, Esther Reddy and Maurice O'Mahony. The Lamha Choir from Camphill, directed by Lorraine Nolan, preceded the finale act with verve, enthusiasm, fun and their own tuneful interpretations of gospel favourites.
MCs for the evening were Letitia Hanratty and Ray Kelly, and the show was officially opened by Cllr Tracey O'Dwyer, Leas-Cathoirleach of Kildare County Council.
Another Kilcullen night of entertainment when everyone left in great humour.
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