The Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Séamus Brennan, has announced plans to extend the opening hours of the State's museums and galleries. He said the move would reflect our "changed lifestyles and use of leisure time".
Speaking at the launch of this year's Culture Night programme in Dublin's Temple Bar yesterday evening, Mr Brennan said there was a need to "get away from the traditional and often rigid nine-to-five opening times".
"Our museums, galleries and libraries are for the most part set up and maintained from public funds, from taxpayers' money, and it is only right we should make every effort to make them more accessible to the general public," he said.
"With that in mind I have instructed officials in my department to examine how best we can put longer and increased flexible opening times on a more permanent footing."
Last night Dublin was culturally and socially transformed as the hugely successful Culture Night 2007 combined "entertainment, discovery and adventure" with most venues open until 10pm.
There was a jovial party atmosphere on the city's streets as more than 50 volunteers and many more street entertainers directed an estimated 80,000 visitors to more than 100 free events between 5pm and 10pm.
The events, marked by posters and balloons, included tours, talks, exhibitions, concerts, films, workshops and indoor and outdoor performances.
Free buses ran on three routes, courtesy of Dublin Bus, transporting the thousands of visitors around the six "cultural quarters" of the city. A positive ambience flowed through the city as foreign and Irish visitors took the opportunity to see the city from a different angle.
One volunteer remarked that the evening was as much about social interaction as culture. When boarding a free bus, visitors found themselves within a hub of conversation and before long strangers were visiting events together like old friends.
One visitor, Mary Kennedy, said: "I'd come by myself to have a look around. I got on a bus and when I got off there were four of us all walking together having a grand time."
The Book of Kells in Trinity College, which is always high on the agenda of foreign tourists, found a number of Dubliners marvelling over the ancient book, with some having discovered it for the first time.
One Dubliner said: "I walk past Trinity College every day on my way to work but I would never think to come inside and have a look."
Many of Dublin's historically famous museums and art galleries were open late including the James Joyce Centre, the National Museum of Ireland and Dublin City Gallery. Other popular attractions were tours around St Patrick's Cathedral, the Dublin Writers' Museum and The Story of the Capital in the City Hall.
The night was also a family affair with many activities for children such as the immensely popular film-making workshops for children aged 7-11, children's games at the Gaiety School of Acting and a special children's tour around Croke Park.
The Georgian House Museum proved particularly popular for families as did the lively street entertainers.