Oíche Chultúir OCBÁC 2025 / DCU Culture Night 2025

Oíche Chultúir ag campas Phádraig OCBÁC 2025 / DCU Culture Night 2025 on St Patrick's Campus

Step into an evening of fun, creativity, and celebration at Oíche Chultúir OCBÁC 2025 / DCU Culture Night 2025!
Join us on Friday 19th September at St. Patrick’s Campus, Drumcondra for a jam-packed night of live music, circus acts, art workshops, immersive tours, exhibitions, sensory play, and more.
Set against the beautiful backdrop of DCU’s historic campus, this free event has something for everyone — from curious kids to culture-loving grown-ups.
No booking needed — just drop in and enjoy.

Games Area

Children and adults gathered around large bubbles in a green field

The Bubble Guys

Do you love bubbles? Well, we do too! You’ll be amazed by the pop-up performances of Bubble-ologists. Expect a spectacular display of soap bubbles that will entertain not just the kids but also the kids-at-heart. The non-stop lively interaction will keep the kids entertained while the adults relax and enjoy the mesmerising spectacle.

Time: Regular Intervals between 5pm and 8pm
Age Group: All Ages

Child and man playing with a chess board handmade from wood

Fuinseog Bemusement Woodland Games

Step into the enchanting world of the Bemusement Games, crafted by Fuinseog Woodland Crafts, and experience a unique collection of traditional games. Each game is thoroughly handcrafted from Irish timbers, offering a selection of classic favourites.

Time: 5pm - 8pm
Age Group: All Ages

DCU Sports Traditional Games Area

Step Right Up to the Traditional Games Area!
Try your hand at traditional obstacle courses, show off your welly tossing skills, spin that hula hoop, skip rope, and much more. It’s all about laughter, movement, and good old-fashioned play — perfect for kids and grown-ups who love a bit of friendly competition and active fun. Come join the games, make new friends, and create happy memories together!

Time: 5pm - 8pm
Age Group: All Ages

Performing circus artist juggles in front of children and adults who are smiling and laughing

Jitterbug Jackson

I Used to Dream of Rocketships by Jitterbug is a high-octane, one-man cabaret packed with circus, dance, music, song, and plenty of laughter. Blending traditional circus skills—like juggling, diabolo, and high unicycle—with storytelling flair and boundless imagination, this quirky and heartwarming performance invites audiences of all ages to dream big, laugh loud, and celebrate the here and now. Inventive, site-specific, and full of charm, it’s an unforgettable ride through possibility and play.

Time: Regular Intervals between 5pm and 8pm
Age Group: All Ages

Performance Area

Collection of people playing the Ukulele

The Walkeleles Ukulele Band

Get ready to tap your feet and sing along! The Walkeleles are bringing their infectious energy and feel-good vibes with fun, upbeat takes on classic tunes and unexpected favourites.
Whether you’re a toe-tapper, a hummer, or a full-on dancer, everyone’s welcome to join the joy. Come along and let the Walkeleles serenade you into the spirit of the night!

Time: TBC
Age Group: All Ages

DJ Donal Dineen

DJ Donal Dineen: Family Disco Set

Get in the spirit and hit the dancefloor! DJ Donal Dineen will spin a fun-filled, family-friendly set packed with much-loved hits and classic tunes for little ones and grown-ups alike. Sparkles encouraged, dance moves welcome — it’s your chance to let loose and throw some serious shapes! Whether you’re a tiny disco star or just ready to boogie, everyone’s invited to this joyful evening disco in the stretched tent. Please note: This event contains flashing lights

Time: TBC
Age Group: Ages 5+

Drop in Activities

Blue coloured bus with 'Senco' written on the side

Senco Sensory Bus

The bus is a magical sensory haven that includes a bubble tube and waterwall along with projection for some fantastic visual feedback, a colour-changing ball pool for proprioceptive fun, a light-up dance floor to get rid of some excess energy, sensory grass and liquid lava tiles that are tactile and a vibration and fibre optic bench area for calming and regulation. It is fully equipped with the latest sensory products on the market and is wheelchair accessible.
Time: 5pm - 8pm
Booking required (The use of this bus is exclusively for autistic children, children with sensory sensitivities, or children who genuinely need it)
Age Group: All Ages

Three children lie on the floor colouring sheets of paper

DCU Library Picture This! Family Scavenger Hunt

Pick up your scavenger hunt sheet from the ground floor desk and follow the clues to find the pictures hidden in the library. Younger children will enjoy finding and identifying the images and older children can use the pictures to complete an extra challenge. Once you’ve found all the pictures and filled in your answers, return to the desk to claim your prize!

Times: 5pm - 8pm
Age Group: Age 3+

Tree lined walkway lit up with coloured lights

Canopy of Lights

As daylight fades, the Limetree walkway outside Cregan Library transforms into a captivating wonderland, illuminated by a vibrant and sparkling light installation.

Times: 5pm - 9pm
Age Group: All Ages

Stock photo of people cycling in the gym

Tour de Library Cycling Challenge

Hop on one of our brand new stationary library bikes and see how far you can cycle in 5 minutes. Beat the top score in the adult or child category and win a prize!

Age Group: 8+

Indoor Activities

Woman with glasses smiling and holding blue wave art piece

The Silver Tree with Cliodhna Noonan

The Ursitoarea fairy lives in an indoor garden under a silver tree. She appears to a newborn baby when it is seven days old and offers a gift for life on a silver tray. A true legend of Romania, this story framework provides the perfect setting for a moment of thought, a shared listening experience and a glance into the future. What will your child choose and what will you wish for yourself in this gentle first-time theatre experience?

Time: TBC (Duration: Performance - 25 mins and keepsake art activity - 15 mins)
Booking required: Eventbrite link here
Age Group: 0 - 3 years

Designed by Margarita Smyth; Directed by Giovanna Caire.

Tours and Trails

Dr Ruth McManus speaks to an audience outside Belvedere House

Guided tours of Belvedere House & St. Patrick’s campus

Join Dr Ruth McManus, DCU School of History and Geography, for a special guided tour that explores the historical, architectural and social fabric of St. Patrick's campus dating back to the 1600s. The tour will feature the notable Georgian Belvedere House, the Gothic Revival (former) chapel and attached cloister, and the modernist Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Chapel by architect Andy Devane.
Tour Times: 5:00pm, 6:15pm (ISL), and 7:30pm
Meeting Point: The steps of Belvedere House. Please arrive 5 minutes before the tour is due to start.
Age Group: 12+
Duration: 45 minutes

Three people standing on a balcony looking out over Drumcondra

Guided tours Cregan Library

Turas treoirithe de Leabharlann Uí Chriagáin

Guided tours of Cregan Library

DCU’s Cregan Library has become a landmark building in north Dublin since it opened its doors in 2015. The library was designed to form a visual link between the campus and the community, with a three-storey glass lantern overlooking the village of Drumcondra. This tour will give you an insight into this extraordinary piece of modern architecture, designed by Taylor Architects.
Tour Times: 5pm, 6:15pm, 7pm & *7:30pm (*Tour will be ‘as Gaeilge’ at 7:30pm)
Meeting Point: Cregan Library Reception
Age Group: 12+
Duration: 30 minutes

Exhibitions and Talks

The Ark presents: Voyages

Step into a joyful, playful exhibition curated by children, for children — and the young at heart! Created by The Ark, DCU’s Children & Young People’s Arts Organisation in Residence, Voyages invites you to explore art through young eyes. Featuring hand-picked works from The Ark’s collection — from sculpture to screenprint — this vibrant exhibition is the result of seven creative workshops with young curators aged 10–17. Expect curiosity, colour, and imagination at every turn

Vintage Showman's Steam Tractor lit up by warm yellow lighting

Rosetta - Showman's Steam Tractor

Meet Rosetta — a magnificent Showman's Steam Tractor with a colorful past and a heart full of steam! Known as the "Lincoln Imp", this rare engine once lit up travelling fairgrounds across Ireland, towing living vans and powering carnivals with her mighty dynamo.

Built for heavy haulage in World War I and converted into a showman's engine in the 1930's. This engine played a major part in the Irish fairground scene up until the late 1940's. Rosetta was saved from the scrap heap and lovingly restored decades later. Rosetta is a true piece of living Irish Industrial Heritage. With her gleaming brass and billowing steam, she’s sure to delight curious kids and nostalgic grown-ups alike.

Food Options

Three images: Ice cream van, chocolate dipped strawberries & pizza van

Food and Catering

Food & Catering

Grab a bite! Arrive early and explore our delicious food offerings! Savor a slice from our pizza truck, grab a coffee or a light bite at the café, and cool off with a sweet treat from the ice cream van or waffle stall. Come hungry and enjoy!

Times: 4.30pm - 9pm

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this an accessible friendly event?

The majority of the event space is accessible however, there will be some activity which takes place on the grass area. This can be uneven in places and may become slippery when wet. We would request that anyone with special accessibility requirements please notify us prior to the event at dcuartsandculture@dcu.ie

Where are these events taking place?

DCU - St. Patrick’s campus. Access to these events is via the pedestrian entrance to St. Patrick’s campus (off Upper Drumcondra Road). This entrance is located beside Cregan Library and Lidl. Access will not be granted via the vehicle entrance. Attendees will be redirected to the pedestrian entrance.

Where are these events taking place?

There is no parking available on St Patrick campus. We ask people to walk, cycle or take public transport to St. Patrick's Campus. Attendees with special requirements will be accommodated.

Are there local bus routes I can use?

Bus stops 21, 44, 45, 7602 & 7603 all service and stop on Drumcondra Road, a very short distance away from the event site

Is there an age restriction for this event?

This is a family friendly event. We ask all minors under 16 to be accompanied by an adult at all times. DCU does not accept any parental or supervisory duty of care or liability for any under 16s on site

Is seating supplied for the 'performance events'?

Seating is limited for the 'performance events' so please if you can, bring picnic blankets or camper chairs. If the weather is good the grass will be a comfy option however as this is an outdoor event the grass may be slippery when wet so please keep this in mind.

I will have a buggy with me. Can I store this somewhere?

A buggy park will be available. Buggys are left at owners risk.

Will there be photos taken on the night?

Please note that photography and videography will be captured at this event. If you have any objections to this, please let us know.

Is this an autism friendly event?

We will have spaces for anyone with regulation requirements.

What catering options are available?

Hot drinks and snacks will be available from our café kiosk located in the Cregan Library. There will also be hot food and ice cream available to purchase from our on-site mobile catering units. Please note, alcohol is not permitted.

Are dogs allowed at this event?

There are no dogs allowed at this event due to the loud music, noise, young children running around and space available. (except guide dogs and support dogs)

How can I keep up to date on social media?

Please follow @dcuartsandculture and @dcu_library on Instagram or @dculibrary.bsky.social‬ on Blue Sky

Terms and Conditions

DCU reserves the right to refuse admission.

Some of this event take place outdoors, which means that the grass and walkway may be slippery when wet.

Every effort will be made to stay to the scheduled times, however these may vary.

DCU reserves the right to add, withdraw, cancel or substitute artists and to vary the advertised programme as necessary.

Attendees assume all risk of injury and all responsibility for property loss, destruction or theft and release the promoters, performers and sponsors from any liability thereafter.

DCU asks that all minors Under 16 must be accompanied by an adult at all times. DCU can not accept any parental or supervisory duty of care or liability for any Under 16s on site.

We ask all attendees to support us to keep the campus clean and bring your refuse home with you or use the waste bins provided on site. Glass bottles are not permitted.