Kilkenny celebrates successful Cruinniú na nÓg 2024

The outstanding efforts of all the groups who participated in this year’s Cruinniú na nÓg 2024 was recently acknowledged by Kilkenny County Council and the Creative Ireland team.

This Free Day of Creativity for Young People was held on Saturday, June 15. The event, which is part of the Creative Ireland Programme, engaged over 1,534 young people and families in 36 imaginative activities across the county. Young people from all walks of life participated in inclusive events.

Highlights of the day included library events local libraries included circus skills, coding, Book Doctor, Monster Doodle, Graffiti Spray, and drumming workshops. A number of creative spaces including The Happy Pottery, My Skin and Glenmore Parish Hall buzzed with clay workshops, crafts, soap making, and circus performances while the Drum Youth Centre featured a song collective gig, master classes, and art exhibitions.

Thomastown Scouting Group also led craft workshop sessions in jewellery, ceramics, and basketmaking while TADA Theatre showcased their film production, Cybercrash.

As part of a pilot initiative, Creative Kilkenny and Night Time Economies secured additional funding for evening events from 4-8pm at Castlecomer Discovery Park and Ossory Youth Centre. These events included comedy, drumming, music making, willow weaving, animation, eco printing, and drawing workshops.

The legacy of Cruinniú na nÓg 2024 is evident in high participation levels, waiting lists, and enthusiastic feedback from young people and rural communities. Ideas for future programmes, including sewing, comedy, and animation workshops, are already in development.

The open call for applications for the Cruinniú na nÓg Grant 2025 will be launched January 2025. This grant empowers local groups, individuals, and practitioners to foster culture, creativity, and wellbeing in Kilkenny, aligning with the Kilkenny Culture and Creativity Strategy 2023-2027.