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Creativity, unleashed!

With a whopping 700+ free creative activities taking place nationwide, Cruinniú na nÓg invites anyone under 18 to unleash their inner creative on Saturday 15 June.

Supported by local authorities and RTÉ and following the huge success of last year, Cruinniú na nÓg’s second outing will see young imaginations fired up as it celebrates and encourages children and young people to explore creative activities in their local neighbourhoods and communities. Led by the local Creative Ireland Programme teams across the 31 local authorities, with huge support from local artists, arts organisations, creative practitioners and community festivals; activities include everything from shield making to game coding, dark-room photography to tapestry weaving workshops.

With a strong emphasis on participation, there are lots of starter workshops too. These are specially designed to spark an interest and nurture the inner creative in children, encouraging them to try something new or even fulfil a secret ambition!

Speaking at the announcement of this year’s Cruinniú na nÓg, Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Josepha Madigan TD said:

“Ireland is the only country in the world to have a dedicated day of free creativity for our children and young people. Although only in its second year, Cruinniú na nÓg has already grown in ambition and scale with almost double the number of free activities taking place across the length and breadth of the country this year. This unique and important initiative helps us to deliver on our promise to enable the creative potential of every child and to give them the sense of accomplishment that comes with participating in a creative project that really triggers their imaginations.

Each of the activities and events have been carefully curated by our network of passionate and committed Culture and Creativity teams across the country. I would like to particularly thank the 31 local authorities and RTÉ, who have been enthusiastic partners and collaborators on this event from the beginning, and also the many artists, arts and youth organisations, creative practitioners, festivals and communities who have helped to make this exciting new day of youthful creativity for children and young people a brilliant success.”

Just some of the highlights of Cruinniú na nÓg 2019 include:

  • An inter-generational workshop of craft weaving and tapestry making at the Tallaght Mosque, South Dublin

  • Discover the next generation of Steven Spielbergs and Lenny Abrahamsons at a convention of young film makers in Limerick

  • Learn the beauty and ritual of traditional dances of Bere Island in a special celebration of island life and culture, County Cork

  • Explore the hidden treasures of our coastal landscape with a creativity-filled seaweed safari in Malin Head, Donegal

  • Learn how to dress to impress for less in an upcycling and sustainable fashion making workshop in Ballinasloe, County Galway

  • Join the Mud Bug Club and learn how to reproduce intricate patterns in The Dock, Leitrim

  • Meet Feargal the dragon with a rather hot temper in an interactive story-telling concert with the London Symphony Orchestra Ensemble at the National Concert Hall, Dublin City

  • Learn the secrets of glue and gore in a special effects for stage and screen workshop in Tralee, Kerry

These are just a taste of what’s happening for Cruinniú na nÓg on 15 June, find out what’s on near you and share the fun you’re having on social media using the hashtags #MyCruinniú and #CruinniúToCreate

For more information, see cruinniu.creativeireland.gov.ie

Cruinniú na nÓg 2019 // Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh

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