Westmeath's EU Presidency Cultural Programme to be launched on Friday

Westmeath County Council will officially launch Imagining Common Grounds, Westmeath's EU Presidency Cultural Programme, on Friday, for Culture Night.

The event is part of Cultúr 2026, Ireland's national cultural programme for the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, Sharing Ireland's Culture.

Funded as part of the Culture Programme for Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2026, the launch marks Westmeath's contribution to the national Cultúr 2026 activity showcasing Irish arts and culture throughout Ireland and across Europe during Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

Through exhibitions, workshops, music, dance and community participation, the programme highlights Westmeath's artforms, artists and distinctive Midlands culture while connecting local perspectives to wider European conversations.

Led by Westmeath Arts Office with Westmeath curator Valeria Ceregini, the programme, titled Imagining Common Grounds, takes the boglands of Westmeath and the wider Midlands as its thematic starting point, exploring relationships between ecology, memory, identity and community with artists and musicians living and working in Westmeath and the Midlands region. It aims to create opportunities for public participation, artists visibility and cultural exchange and takes place from September to December 2026, with further events planned in Athlone and Mullingar.

As part of the launch, two solo exhibitions by Westmeath artists Emma O'Brien and Emer Gaffey will open on Culture Night, accompanied by artist-led workshops and opportunities for the public to engage directly with the creative process.

Cathaoirleach Bill Collentine said: “Culture Night provides the perfect opportunity to launch Westmeath’s contribution to Ireland’s EU Presidency Cultural Programme and to celebrate the creativity, talent and cultural richness of our county. It showcases the work of our artists and musicians, highlighting the landscapes that shape life in Westmeath. I encourage everyone to come along, take part and enjoy this celebration of culture.”

Culture Night celebrations will continue in the heart of Mullingar with an evening of live music, dance and community performance in Market Square. Bringing together traditional Irish music, brass performance, song and dance, the free outdoor programme showcases the rich diversity of Westmeath's cultural talent and offers something for audiences of all ages. The evening opens with a performance by Patrick Heffernan at 5.30pm, followed by an Outdoor Céilí at 6pm. At 7pm, Mullingar Comhaltas will present a celebration of traditional Irish music. Blásta Brass brings their tunes to the square at 7.45pm. Singer-songwriter Peter Doran takes to the stage at 8.15pm, with the evening culminating in a very special surprise guest performance at 9.00pm.

Culture Night will also feature two exhibitions by Westmeath artists that introduce the themes of Imagining Common Grounds. At the Ground Floor Atrium of Westmeath County Council, Emma O'Brien's The Holding Space explores care, ecology and our relationship with the natural world through photography. Meanwhile, at Áras an Mhuilinn, Emer Gaffey's Recovering Ground examines the ecological and cultural significance of Ireland's peatlands through painting, drawing and research-based practice. Both artists will lead free hands-on workshops, inviting adults and children aged 10+ to explore the bog through photography, drawing, observation and creativity.

Culture Night is the starting point for Imagining Common Grounds, which will continue across Westmeath throughout autumn as part of the county's EU Presidency Cultural Programme. The wider programme will include artist development opportunities, talks and workshops, a group exhibition of Westmeath artists and an international exchange connecting Westmeath artists with European practitioners.