HUNDREDS AND THOUSANDS are expected to turn out for Culture Night this Friday, when venues across the country will throw open their doors for hundreds of free events, tours, talks and performances.

There’s another bumper programme organised this year – and we’re here to help you decide what to do.

This morning, we’re looking at events taking place in the west of Ireland, but we’ll be turning our eye to other parts of the country over the coming days.

You can find the full guide over on the Culture Night website.

Clare

• The Vanbrugh Quartet launches its autumn tour with an 8pm concert featuring music by Clare’s own Dave Flynn.
• Video installations exploring the Coole Park woodlands will be shown in Ennis from 7:30pm.
• Luka Bloom is performing at the Kilkishen Cultural Centre at 8:30pm.

For the full list, see the Culture Night guide for Clare.

Galway

• A billboard featuring the work of 45 different artists on A4 sheets will be paraded through Shop St between 5pm and 9pm.
• The Con Tempo Quartet is hosting a music trail in a range of “unexpected locations“.
• There’ll be talks and guided tours of a major new exhibition on WB Yeats at NUI Galway from 5pm to 9pm.

For the full list, see the official Galway Culture Night website.

PJ Murphy of Sweny's pharmacy in Dublin and songwriter Miss Kate prepare for last year's Culture Night. Sasko Lazarov / Photocall Ireland Sasko Lazarov / Photocall Ireland / Photocall Ireland

Mayo

• Ballina Arts Centre opens its doors between 4pm and 7pm with a family-friendly programme of workshops and activities.
• There’ll be a specially organised ‘culture crawl’ on Achill Island from 7pm.

For the full list, see the Culture Night guide for Mayo.

Roscommon

• Strokestown Park House, home to the National Famine Museum, will play host to a night of cultural entertainment – details still to be confirmed.
• Free historic tours are on offer from 6pm at King House in Boyle, where pianist Thérese Fahy will be on hand to play for visitors.

For the full list, see the Culture Night guide for Roscommon.

Sligo

• Codladh Sámh – an event billed as a “truly unforgettable traditional music experience for babies” - takes place from 3.30pm to 7pm in the Hawk’s Well Theatre.
• Also at the same venue, there’ll be a musical performance and a series of talks remembering Sligo’s experience of 1916.

For the full list, see the Culture Night guide for Sligo.

Read: Heather Humphreys battles pirates to bring Culture Night news to the masses

Read: Here’s what fans can expect from U2′s Dublin shows