CRUINNIÚ NA NÓG is back and better than ever.
The festival aimed solely at young people is taking place across the country on Saturday June 15. With a theme of Dare to Create, the events are designed to inspire and thrill and to unleash the creative spark in kids and teenagers alike. The best part of it all is that every single event is free to attend.
This weekend marks the seventh iteration of this spectacular day of free creativity. Ireland remains the only country in the world to have a national day encouraging creativity for children and all those under 18, all for free.
There’s an event in every corner of the country for every child of any age. If you have young kids or teens, you’ll know that finding something that they’ll enjoy (and be enthusiastic about) can be tricky. Luckily, with so much choice, there’s absolutely something for everyone to enjoy this Saturday.
For the first time, the programme will include a series of late night events for young people. Supported by the Late Night Economy Unit, these events aimed at teens especially include a play created and performed within 24 hours in the crypt of the Waterford Museum, a Rocky Horror Picture Show screening and dance off in Limerick, silent discos in Dun Laoghaire and Offaly, and an open mic night at the comedy club in South Dublin.
Cruinniú Late focuses on providing authentic, alcohol-free spaces where young people are encouraged to be themselves. They’ve sprung up as a result of consultation with teens for just that and provide something that’s often missing for teens.
As the theme is encouraging creativity, Creative Ireland hopes all young people will come out, get creative, try something new and learn new skills or show off existing ones. There will be hundreds of free events taking place this weekend, so kids and teens are bound to find something that appeals to them.
To give you a hand, we’ve handpicked an event from each county in Ireland. Bear in mind that these are just a short sample, and you can find a full list here. You can sort by age and location, ensuring you’ll find something tailor-made to your needs.
Explore common wild plants through games, creativity and story to create beautiful prints. Led by Maura Brennan, she is a forest school leader who knows how to make nature fun. Forest School Workshop is suitable for ages 6 – 12 (parents can drop off and collect participants). This is a free event but booking is required and you can do so here.
Come along and experience Youth Theatre, Gonzo style, in these fun relaxed workshops. Suitable for ages 13-18. Reserve your place by emailing info@gonzoyouththeatre.ie
Unleash your creativity at these workshops in the courthouse Gallery & Studios, Ennistymon. There are two separate events for all age groups and it’s open to all abilities. Book here.
Roll up, Roll up! Circus Factory is hosting a family fun day of workshops and performances at Elizabeth Fort in Cork City. More details here.
Have a go at playing a range of instruments under excellent guidance. Open to all age groups, this event is taking place in Dungloe and Fintown. No booking necessary.
Join us in Myrtle Square in the heart of Dún Laoghaire for a free and inclusive silent disco for young people aged 14 – 18 on the evening of Cruinniú na nÓg. Bring your dancing shoes.
Foróige Galway City UBU presents a one-day animation workshop for teens, at Galway City Library. Participants will explore different forms of animation, learn about planning and storyboarding, and create their own original short animation. To reserve a place contact Erika on 086 1084083 or erika.king@foroige.ie
Try out this interactive Musical Theatre experience. A chance for kids to immerse themselves into the world of Musical Theatre performance, working with a Choreographer, Voice and Drama Coach along with a Director to create a new Musical over 80 minutes which will be presented to the public for 8 minutes with the entire workshop lasting 2 hours. Three separate time slots are available, with booking required.
Come along to In-Sync Youth Services in Naas for a creative kite flying celebration. Enjoy a cuppa, chat, and creative display of kites built and designed by local youth groups. Want to build and design your own kite? In-Sync are hosting kite making workshops after school in the week before Cruinniú na nÓg, led by the experts from Go Fly Your Kite! For more information, contact Tina O’Sullivan at tina.osullivan@insync.ie / Tel: 0870507053
Ignite your child’s creativity and introduce them to the exciting world of programming in this two-hour workshop designed specifically for children aged 8 to 12 years. To book a place please phone Urlingford Library on 056-7794182 or email urlingford@kilkennylibrary.ie
Enjoy a series of wildlife photography workshops led by 14-year-old wildlife photographer Rossa Bracken, with an emphasis on his native Slieve Bloom mountain range. The workshops will include a field trip to a wildlife hide in the Slieve Bloom Mountains. Places are limited, and booking is essential. To reserve your spot, text 085 1622342 or email Mountmellick Library at Mountmellicklibrary@laoiscoco.ie.
As part of this exciting hands-on workshop children will learn about the tools used and how archaeologists investigate the past through the process of excavation. This will give the children an opportunity to excavate, analyse and process artefacts like real archaeologists. Booking details: contact the library in Kiltyclogher on 071 98 54891 or call in person to book a place, library is open from 11 to 3pm on Friday and 2 to 6pm on Tuesdays.
The whole family is welcome to join in at Limerick’s Citizen Innovation Lab for Lego Stopmotion workshops and VR Experience. All ages are invited to shoot some action with an animator in a specially-made Lego setting. This is a drop in event therefore no booking required.
Longford Africans Network will host an African Traditional Instrument training and demo for the 9-18 age group. This will be an interactive session and will be delivered by an African entertainment enthusiast. Participants will be encouraged to practice with the musical instruments provided.
1-hour open music session where children can try and play a new musical instrument led by 2 facilitators. Quality tuition in Violin, Cello, Piano, Voice, Guitar, Ukulele, Drum kit, Viola, Saxophone, Clarinet, Children’s Choir, Quartets and Band will be provided.
Does your child love country music and is always dancing around the kitchen to the radio? Then come along to this fun workshop where children will learn some of the most popular dances like Tommy K the DJ and Hold on to your Hat! Suitable for ages 3 – 12. To book, contact Jiving For Kids – Jiving Juniors | Facebook
In this hands-on session, young artists will learn the art of storytelling through three-panel comics. They’ll explore how to illustrate their favourite jokes, turning punchlines into visual delights.
Check out ‘Behind the Scenes’ at The Garage Theatre! Facilitated by Theatre Technician, Dylan Connolly, the workshop will include an introduction to the main structures of performance, getting hands on with the theatre’s lighting, sound and audio visual systems, a ‘behind the scenes’ tour of The Garage Theatre and setting up the stage for a performance. Spaces are limited and booking is required. Contact the Garage Theatre Box Office 047 39777 to book.
Join the Tullamore Library for an unforgettable Silent Disco experience. Grab your headphones, immerse yourself in music and dance amongst the books! No booking necessary.
A children’s festival of creativity, self–expression, and inspiration, where All children are invited with their families to escape into a wonderland of fun. Activities on the day include Dance Parties, Puppet Shows, Storytelling, Nature Crafts, Robotics Workshop, Science, Sports, Circus Performers, Face painting, Balloon Modelling, Sensory Play, Baby Bopping and much more! For more information and booking visit https://strokestownpark.ie/whats-on/
Ian Carty is a ceramics artist who has created his own unique Dragon Glaze style. Join him in this walk-in workshop where he will discuss the secrets of his fascinating glazing. Ian hopes to share his knowledge with budding ceramicists and inspire them in creating their own small individual pieces of work on the day.
Cahir Comhaltas musicians ranging in ages from 12-16 years with their tutors, will perform in Cahir Castle. A wide range of traditional Irish instruments will feature in this event and performers will showcase traditional music and dance.
Bring along your tot and try an immersive musical session in the library, designed to stimulate their senses and promote socialising through songs and instruments. Nobody is too small to be creative! Secure your place by emailing ardkeenlibrary@waterfordcouncil.ie.
Join local artist Mimi Seery in building ‘hotels’ for bees and other pollinators expected to visit the newly established Historical Garden at Athlone Castle. Using natural and recycled materials, each child will build a pollinator-friendly hotel that will suit even the pickiest of bugs. Children will have the option of taking their finished hotel home or placing it in Athlone Castle Garden. This workshop is free but online booking is essential, as places will be limited.
The Night Games is a fun filled evening extravaganza for teenagers only. Play the new ‘made in Wexford by teenagers’ video game on the Huge Screen, challenge friends to Jenga and drafts in the Oldies but Goodies games stations, experiment with plate spinning and juggling, explore the interactive nature-art installation, be uplifted by performances from the Yellow Bellows choir and amaze at the breakdancing skills from Spring Moves Dance Fest. Teenage friendly snacks will be available. Contact gamenightcruinniu@gmail.com to book a spot.
The Courthouse Arts Centre presents a 2 hour design a T-shirt workshop with Lucy Moller – using drawing, sewing and making skills to design a unique T shirt to take home. All materials will be provided The events will be ticketed so book early to avoid disappointment on courthousearts.ie
There’s ton more free events available on Cruinniú na nOg’s website, so you’re sure to find something your child will enjoy. Get the artistic juices flowing just for the day or maybe set them up for a life of creative passion.
Learn more here.
Cruinniú na nÓg 2024 is a collaboration between the Creative Ireland Programme, the 31 local authorities in Ireland and RTÉ with support from the Shared Ireland initiative.
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