Culture Night in Laois, Friday 18^th of September – with FREE EVENTS happening live and online across the county.  Celebrate Culture Night in Laois.   Live events include;  An exhibition at The Gallery Laois Arthouse, Stradbally from 2pm – 8pm. At Fitzmaurice Place Plaza, Portlaoise – In celebration of Helen Roe from 8pm-11pm, view a looped video (10 min) projection that encapsulates and gives a fascinating insight into the life and work of Mountrath born, Helen Roe.  Dunamaise Arts Centre, are showing a wonderful exhibition entitled ‘Children of the Free State’ by Annie Holland from 10am-11pm. Also see Live Portrait Painting with Blaise Smith from 6pm-9pm.  In Mountmellick an outdoor performance by CCE Mountmellick on the steps of the Art Centre,  Mountmellick from 4pm.   All live events will run subject to Covid-19 restrictions. Go online to view an Eco Printing Workshop with Artist Angelina Foster and an Earth Art Workshop, with artist Aishling Hennessy,  filmed  earlier at Laois Arthouse.  Or learn how to paint an eye with artist Rebecca Deegan live streamed from the Arthouse.  Enjoy a  series of Art Workshops from Mount Henry Arts Studios including a Plein Air Workshop with artist Mary Slevin and two childrens’ workshops titled:  How To Make A Dinosour for  ages 5-8 year  and Creating Affirmation Cards for ages  9-12.  View Laois Series: A Sense Of Place: a video featuring 26 young people including, Laois Youth Theatre, Laois Youth Dance Ensemble, Laois County Library Service, Music Generation Laois and young people interested in nature and biodiversity.  Bringing Bacon Home from Heritage House Abbeyleix is a short film exploring the artist Francis Bacon’s time at Farmleigh House, Abbeyleix.  For Music lovers see a short video ‘The Impossible Dream,’ a specially commissioned suite of music inspired by the life of Colonel James Fitzmaurice with musician and songwriter Martin Tourish in collaboration with Music Generation Trad Orchestra or Stepping through Irish Music with Emer Dunne with songs and music of old.   All the online events are available from www.culturenight.ie from 4pm-12am.  Chat through Irish, join Ciorcal Cainte ar Zoom from 6pm-7pm, from An Sean Chistin, Ballyfin, Portlaoise.  To book in E: seanchistin@gmail.com with your request to join.