Calling all children and young people in dlr!

Join us for Cruinniú na nÓg 2024

Saturday 15 June

Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown (dlr) County Council is thrilled to announce Cruinniú na nÓg across dlr on Saturday 15 June. Cruinniú na nÓg is the national day of free creativity for children and young people. It aims to celebrate and encourage children and young people’s (aged 0 – 18) participation in culture and creativity by doing, making, and creating.

This year we will be celebrating our heritage and place, with a family day in Blackrock Park, nature-based workshops at Fernhill Park and Gardens, and music, spoken word, dance and theatre workshops and performances by and for young people.

Here are some highlights from this year’s programme:

For 0 – 5 year olds and their families

Join us in the LexIcon to engage with Room to Explore an interactive art exhibition, which has been designed with and for the youngest citizens of dlr. Open from 10am to 5pm we invite you to also take part in free drop in workshops, Rolling over Rainbows for 0 – 4 year olds with Helen Barry at 10am, 11am and 12pm and Life-Size Self Portraits with Marian Balfe at 1.30pm, 2.30pm and 3.30pm. Workshops will be filled on a first come first served basis.

We would especially like to thank the children and staff in Shanganagh Park House Community Creche who worked with Helen Barry for our 2024 Cruinniú na nÓg commission. Over 7 months they explored materials, played, and worked together to create these wonderful interactive sculptures.  

For more information contact the Arts Office at arts@dlrcoco.ie or on (01) 2362759.

For families of all ages

Blackrock park family day, 11am – 3pm

We invite you to celebrate with us the history and biodiversity of Blackrock park through making, exploring and playing. We will create our very own flock of brent geese, connect with the sea by making paper boats and step back into Victorian times by creating your very own bonnets and hats. Consider what lies beneath us through geology activities and clay making. Test your circus skills and have a go at Victorian games, such as croquet, hoop and stick, and ring toss.

Bring a picnic blanket and sit back to listen to some local musical talent performing on the bandstand, including Newpark Music Academy Youth Choir, Supertones choir, and Southside Traveller Action Group’s young rappers.

All activities are drop in and no booking is required, so please come along, bring some friends, and have fun!

Fernhill Park and Gardens, nature-based workshops for children ages 6+

11.00am, 12.00pm, 2.00pm, 3.00pm

We invite participants, and their families, to take a nature walk around these beautiful gardens and park, gathering natural materials and stories along our way. To end we will review our materials and create nature-based collages.

Pre-booking is necessary as numbers are limited – to book please click here

Move with Dublin Youth Dance Company

Dance workshops, 2pm - 5.30pm & performances at 2pm and 4pm

Myrtle Square / Dance Theatre of Ireland

DYDC will perform an original work created by the cast with teacher/choreographer Yumi Lee and will offer free dance workshops taught by dance artist Mariela Mira.

To book a workshop and for more information, please click here

For young people (no prior experience necessary!)

Young writers or those curious to try out creative writing …

… are invited to join Martin Keaveney and Mahon McCann at Mounttown Community Centre over a series of Wednesday evenings (1 May to 12 June) to develop their creative writing skills and present their writing from 12pm – 2pm on Cruinniú na nÓg for family and friends.  

To book and for more information click here

Young songwriters or future composers aged 14 – 18 …

… are invited to join composer and writer Shauna Carrick and musician Lauryn Gaffney at The Mill Theatre Dundrum to develop their songwriting skills and compose their own material, taking place over two full days (13 and 14 June), with a final presentation from 7.30pm – 9pm on Friday 14 and Saturday 15 June.

For more information and to book a place click here

Young theatre makers or those with a dramatic flair …

… can join Barry Morgan and members of Cabinteely Youth Theatre to try out your theatre and drama skills at this free taster session. Taking place in Samuel Beckett Community Centre from 2pm – 3.30pm. Pre-booking is required, as places are limited. Booking details to follow.

Young dancers and movers …

…  can experience and find out about contemporary dance with Dublin Youth Dance Company. Book a dance workshop and/or come along to see their Transitions dance ensemble perform their own choreography (details above and more info here). 

... and can join us for a silent disco for 14 - 18 year olds from 6.00 - 8.00pm in Myrtle Square in Dún Laoghaire. 

 

All events are free and open to all, some events require registration / pre-booking.

For further detail on Cruinniú na nÓg and to find out more about what’s happening in your area please go to https://cruinniu.creativeireland.gov.ie/.

For any queries, please email creativeireland@dlrcoco.ie