Ulster: The Emerald's Hidden Facets

Photographs on display at the National Press Club capture Northern Ireland life, including this 1994 scene in Belfast. (By Crispin Rodwell)

Usually, St. Patrick's Day is the extent of the Irish culture this town sees (and no, the yearlong pursuit of Guinness does not qualify as cultural).

This year, however, is the Year of the Emerald Isle, with St. Patrick's Day marking the kickoff of a five-month salute to Northern Ireland set to culminate in July, when the region (which is in fact part of the United Kingdom) is one of the featured cultures in the Smithsonian Folklife Festival. A collaboration among academic institutions, the Northern Ireland government and various arts groups, the festival will feature events across the city. Among the ones in the next couple of months:

At the National Press Club this month, catch "Out of the Darkness and Into the Light," an exhibition hosted by the Northern Ireland Press Photographers Association. The show captures life, strife and the eventual move toward peace over the past 40 years. Free. In the Press Club lobby, through Wednesday. 529 14th St. NW. 202-662-7500.

Kids can get a taste of Northern Ireland's children's fare at Imagination Stage's Edgefest next month, when Belfast's Cahoots NI Theatre performs "Cuchulain: The Hound of Ulster." The troupe, noted for weaving magic into its shows, tells the story of the temperamental Celtic superhero (pronounced koo-hoo-lin) who is among the oldest Irish legends. April 6-7 at 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. $20 (includes admission to all Edgefest events the day of show). 4908 Auburn Ave., Bethesda. 301-280-1660. ( http://www.imaginationstage.org for schedule of Edgefest events.)

Later in the month, American University's Katzen Arts Center will launch an exhibit of contemporary art, "Resolutions: New Art From Northern Ireland." Free. 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Tuesday-Sunday. April 24-July 29. 4400 Massachusetts Ave. NW. 202-885-1300.

Busboys and Poets will be the spot to get to the deeper issues at the heart of Northern Ireland. On April 30, the cafe hosts its regular Peace Cafe, this time focusing on the role of the arts in the peace process that began in the 1990s. Free. 6-10 p.m. 2021 14th St. NW. 202-387-7638.

For a full schedule of events, visit http://www.rediscoverni.com.

-- Lavanya Ramanathan