Soaking up the sun and atmosphere at last year’s Cruinniú na nÓg with Inishowen Carnival Group at the Glebe Gallery.
Over 30 free creative activities for under 18’s as part of Creative Ireland Programme initiative supported by Donegal County Council and RTÉ
Children and young people across Donegal are being urged to fire up their imaginations and take part in one of the 30 free Cruinniú na nÓg events that will take place around the county on Saturday 15th June 2019.
Now in its second year, Cruinniú na nÓg celebrates and encourages participation by children and young people in creative activities in their local neighbourhoods and communities. Led by the local Creative Donegal Culture and Creativity Team, with huge support from local artists, arts organisations, creative practitioners and community festivals, activities include everything from hands on art to nature. With a strong emphasis on participation, activities are specially designed to spark an interest and encourage the inner creative in children to try something new or fulfil a secret ambition!
Highlights of this year’s Cruinniú na nÓg in Donegal include: a Seaweed Safari in Inishowen; a messy play experience for older children in Falcarragh; an immersive Japanese experience in Bundoran Library and; a theatrical performance by Donegal Youth Theatre at Glenveagh National Park
Donegal County Council’s Chief Executive Seamus Neely is delighted to be once again working hand in hand with Creative Ireland and RTE to deliver such wonderful creative opportunities for children and young people in Donegal saying “we believe that by investing in arts, culture, heritage and language we are investing in a healthier, more fulfilled, prosperous and successful county and Cruinniú na nÓg provides us with a great platform from which to extend this to our youngest residents and visitors.
“While booking is required for some, there are many drop-in events which adds great flexibility for those who may have something already planned for June 15th. There is such a variety of really exciting events happening across the county and we are encouraging as many families and young people as possible to come along and make a day of it.”
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.
Young Cruinniú participants listening carefully before letting loose their creative side during Cruinniú na nÓg 2018 at Buncrana Library.
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 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.”
Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, Eoghan Murphy TD added “as a committed supporter of the all-of-Government Creative Ireland Programme, I am very proud of the pivotal role which my Department and the local authorities are taking in supporting the creativity and wellbeing of our youngest citizens. Through the passion, care and investment by our 31 Culture and Creativity Teams, creativity is transforming our communities and Cruinniú na nÓg has a vital role to play in advancing this development.
I am particularly pleased that all Cruinniú na nÓg events are locally based and free so that as many children and young people as possible will have the opportunity to participate. I would encourage everyone to check out what is happening in your local area and to avail of the opportunity to make this year’s Cruinniú na nÓg the spark that ignites your child’s imagination and adventures in creativity.”
Dee Forbes, Director-General, RTÉ, says "Creativity and community are at the heart of RTÉ's new mission statement. They are also core principles of the Creative Ireland Programme’s Cruinniú na nÓg, which makes this partnership especially important for us. Encouraging and supporting opportunities for children and young people to come together to experience and explore their creative potential is a brilliant initiative. The diversity of creative activities available from gaming to a starter course in stop-start animation to Japanese kite-making is part of what makes Cruinniú na nÓg so unique.
RTÉ supports over 130 arts and cultural events every year so recognizing and enabling artistic endeavor and creativity is something we take very seriously. We look forward to sharing in the excitement and fun on Saturday June 15th when the next generation of Ireland’s future creatives take centre stage on this very special day."
Full event details for Cruinniú na nÓg are available here.
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