Each year as part of Dublin Culture Night the RDS showcases aspects of its Foundation Programme and welcomes those who are not familiar with the work of the Society. This year, you are encouraged to come along with family, friends and collegues to enjoy an evening of culture and entertainment. Culture Night 2012 will take place starting at 6.00pm on Friday, September 21, 2012.
Centuries before the RDS was established (1731) to improve agricultural, artistic, scientific and economic life in Ireland, the Vikings (Norsemen, Danes) were engaged in doing just that. Through their influence by the tenth century, the city had become an international centre for trade.
This September at the RDS you can enjoy a special Culture Night glimpse of Viking life, with costumed storytelling, hands-on crafts workshops and talks on jewellery. Learn about medical diagnostics through the ages, take home a native sapling and enjoy guided tours of our historic Society.
Following the defeat of the Vikings at the battle of Clontarf in 1014, all traces of their distinctive culture was assimilated with the Irish and later the Normans. Come and try out Viking clothes and weapons, practice Viking runic writing, and hear about their myths through storytelling sessions. See the practical side of their crafts and technology, which drove their culture to establish trade links across Europe and the far East.
Ever wonder how the RDS National Crafts Competition makers create such beautiful objects? Get your hands stuck into a bucket of mucky clay, watch how an artist creates their work or touch a sheep’s woollen fleece before it gets spun into a fine woollen thread, a time honoured way of producing textiles. Watch as Terry the Weaver from County Wexford spins his hand dyed yarn and weaves the threads into a great big tapestry. Make your own felted image with artist Joanna Kidney and take home something special you made yourself.
From Black Death to Tuberculosis, come along and learn about the diseases which have affected the Irish population since Viking times. As part of the RDS Science Live Series children and adults are invited to discover how scientists have worked to diagnose, prevent and cure diseases down through the ages. Presented by the Biomedical Diagnostics Institute in DCU, guests can get a sneak preview of the evening here.
Learn about the history of the RDS as it reflects on nearly three centuries of voluntary service. View RDS Historical Treasures and find out what the Natural History Museum, the National Botanic Gardens, the National Museum and the National Gallery all have in common.
A talk with Phyllis MacNamara, owner of Cobwebs Galway. Jewellery for Phyllis is more than a business, it's a way of life, her academic knowledge married to her passion and enthusiasm for these objects of beauty is infectious. A regular contributor to national publications and TV shows, as well as lecture tours and road shows, she travels extensively to jewellery shows throughout Europe and North America.
Ever wondered what Ireland would have looked like when the Vikings were around? Due to dense forestation, it is said that you could climb your way from the Giant's Causeway to Mizen Head without ever touching the ground. Thanks to Coillte and the RDS Foundation Agriculture and Rural Affairs programme you will have an opportunity to learn more about Ireland’s native trees including oak, ash, wych elm and birch and finish the night by taking home a native sapling.
Admission to Culture Night @ the RDS is free and open to all but advance booking is essential for the crafts workshops. For booking and further information contact us at culturenight@rds.ie / 01 240 7296 or see Facebook.com/RDSDublin, Twitter.com/TheRDS.
