AN exciting new festival celebrating the cultural and historical life of Dublin 8 was launched last week.
The re-opening of the historic Goldenbridge Cemetery, guided tours of Kilmainham Gaol, family-friendly events at the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) and a new exhibition celebrating the Irish lives lost in World War One are just a selection of the line-up of events taking place during the inaugural Culture Date with Dublin 8.
Taking place on May 13 and 14, this new, family-friendly, weekend-long celebration of the cultural and historical life of Dublin 8 is centred around Kilmainham and Inchicore.
The festival is being organised by Dublin City Council, Fáilte Ireland, Richmond Barracks, the OPW, Glasnevin Trust and IMMA, and all activities and events will be free of charge.
Highlights of the Culture Date with Dublin 8 programme will include a concert to launch the re-opening of Goldenbridge Cemetery to its former glory.
Based on the famous Pére Lachaise Cemetery in Paris, Goldenbridge was a non-denominational cemetery that welcomed those of all religions and none in the wake of the Penal Laws.
The reopening will feature performances by the St James’s Band and Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann.
‘Assembly’ is a touring installation from In Flanders Fields Museum that will be shown at Richmond Barracks, accompanied by a sound art installation, to remember the 40,000 Irish people who died during the First World War.
There will also be once-off, bespoke guided tours of Kilmainham Gaol, with themes including ‘Women of the Gaol’ and ‘Alternative Kilmainham’ and exclusive guided tours of IMMA’s landmark exhibitions.
Grace McEvoy, Project Manager of Culture Date with Dublin 8, said: “We’re really excited to launch the very first Culture Date with Dublin 8 festival.
“Our aim for this year is to encourgae the people who live and work in the area to explore what is on their doorstep.
“Dublin 8 is steeped in history and culture and we want to invite them to participate in our events across the weekend and celebrate all that makes Dublin 8 great.
“Thousands of tourists visit this part of the city each week to see the leading cultural and historical attractions located there.
“This initiative is about encouraging local residents as well as the many visitors to enjoy all of the amenities that are located within walking distance of one another.”
Culture Date with Dublin 8 was officially launched in Richmond Barracks by writer Frank McNally and actor Jim Roche, renowned for his portrayal of Padraig Pearse during the ‘Remembering the Rising’ 2016 celebrations.
They were joined by local school children from Inchicore and musicians.
The full programme of events can be found on the website, www.culturedatewithdublin8.ie.