A plan to throw open the doors of dozens of Dublin's museums, galleries and theatres for one evening will be unveiled today.
The inaugural Culture Night, modelled on similar projects in Paris and Rome, takes place on Friday, September 22nd.
Up to 40 venues will offer free access to the public including the Hugh Lane Gallery, the Temple Bar Music Centre and the National Museum of Ireland.
Other attractions will include outdoor films in Meeting House Square and major exhibitions on Yeats in the National Library and the Ryder Cup in Collins Barracks.
Minister for Arts John O'Donoghue unveiled details of the initiative in the Temple Bar Information Centre today.
"Our cultural attractions are a very important part of what we offer to our visitors. But those of us who live here are often inclined to forget that these attractions are for our enjoyment too," he said.
"This initiative is really like a one night arts and cultural festival, and I hope a very large number of people living in Dublin will make a date to explore some of the cultural richness on their doorstep."
Culture Night is organised by the Temple Bar Cultural Trust (TBCT) which aims to attract people who might not normally visit a gallery or museum. Organisers hope the event will eventually become part of the European Cultural Calendar.
Three different routes have been designed to help people around the city, with a cultural bus shuttling visitors from venue to venue.
"We have run three open days and an open night with the arts organisation of Temple Bar, this is the first time it will include the leading arts venues from across the city," said Grainne Millar, of TBCT. "It will be a special occasion and a real festival of what the city has to offer."
A full list of organisations and events are available from the Temple Bar Cultural Trust on 01 6772255 or visit www.templebar.ie. ends