Since its inception nine years ago, Culture Night has fast become the number one highlight on the country's cultural calendar. This year, the whole of Ireland will be saturated with events, performances and fascinating things to see and do on Friday, September 19th.

Over 900 venues across the island will open their doors to the public to showcase a diverse range of events to suit all interests - and the very best thing? For one night only, they are all totally free! From live music to interactive tours in theatres, galleries and other cultural institutes, the participating venues and acts in all corners of the country will display the best in cultural activity that our fair isle has to offer.

Practically every insitution of note in Dublin will be presenting a unique look inside their world and exciting new additions for this year include guided tours of our President's gaff, Áras an Uachtaráin, talks and tours in Airfield Dundrum, drive-in movies at The Complex in Smithfield, a bespoke tour (among many others) with the Surprise Le Cool Experience and Downstairs Dublin - a series of talks, installations, projections, music and pop-up events in the outside basements of Merrion Square.

There'll be plenty to see and do outside Dublin too, such as the Cork International Short Story Festival, the Hospital Shop Window Festival in Limerick, a magical evening with folk singer Lisa O'Neill at Cavan County Museum and Belfast's Big Gigantic Drum Circle.

At the Culture Night launch in St. Patrick's Park last week, Heather Humphreys TD Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht said, "Culture Night is a superb opportunity for Ireland to showcase the very best of its cultural offering and it’s a fantastic chance for members of the public to enjoy unique performances and catch a glimpse inside some of our most beautiful buildings and cultural institutions.

Culture Night has grown year on year thanks to the huge commitment from local authorities, cultural organisations and participants throughout the country and I fully expect this year to be bigger and better than ever before."

Out of the hundreds of events that will be taking place there will definitely be something that takes your fancy. Now the best thing to do is to have a look at the full programme at www.culturenight.ie and get planning your Culture Night!