To celebrate Cruinniú na nÓg, a day of free creativity for children and young people, you are invited to participate in a programme of fun, free, creative activities; from graffiti art workshops to stop-motion animation, to coding and architecture workshops. A selection of activities from Kildare are below. For a full list of events, visit the Cruinniú na nÓg website.

Creative Treasure Hunt (1-12 June, all ages)

On this creative treasure hunt, children will be asked to create an artwork using recycled materials under the theme ‘Canal Creatures’. Participants can use their own material or can collect a bag of new clean factory waste materials from Imagination Station.

Each participant will be asked to submit a short video clip of them talking about the inspiration for their artwork and once that’s received they will receive clues to the location of the treasure.

To enter your child in the treasure hunt, you will need to need to send a short video clip of your child talking about their artwork via WhatsApp to 0851519626.

A video created by participants will be shared on the Creative Ireland website on June 12th. For more information please visit our Facebook page.

Nature Connection (2-12 June, all ages)

Using the ethos of Forest School, participants of this programme will spend four days fully immersed in nature. It’s an opportunity for young people to learn what nature has to offer, from exploring diverse plant species and edible wild foods to cordage making and cooking lunch on the fire. They will experience an interactive and educational environment designed to help them feel welcomed, supported, and connected.

The young people participating in Nature Connection will also learn about a number of arts and craft projects that can be created from nature using all natural materials, such as:

• Hapazome – printing with leaves
• Elder pencils – making your own pencils with the Elder tree
• Woodland jewelry

Over the four days, the group will decide which activities they would like to present to the public and develop the confidence and skills needed to do so. Then they will present and record a demonstration video that will be shared on the Creative Ireland website and local social media by June 12th.

Interested participants can email their name, age, and phone number to kcgkildare@gmail.com for more information on the programme.

I Wonder, I Wish, I Create (11am to 12.30pm, all ages)

This workshop is an invitation for children to create in an open-ended and engaging way. They will tap into their wishes, hopes, and dreams by making a wall hanging with wish sticks.

In the workshop, the children will wrap string around an embroidery hoop to form a web. They will then thread into the web elements from nature that have been embellished, as well as a small personal item.

Due to restrictions, this workshop will be held online through Zoom. To book a place on Saturday 12th June, click on the following link https://www.ballymoreeustaceartstudio.ie/

Be a Composer for a Day (11am to 1pm, 9 years upwards)

Join the musician educators from Music Generation Kildare for this unique workshop in composition.

Pop, classical, hip-hop, jazz, rock, Irish traditional music, punk… whatever your favourite genre of music is, this workshop is for you!

We would love to hear from any musician who wants to start composing their own music or writing their own songs. We’ll explore rhythm, harmony, and melody, as we work collaboratively to help you develop the skills to be able to create your own composition.

Prior musical experience would be beneficial but is not essential. Space is limited, so be quick and don’t miss out! Fill in the expression of interest form here (https://forms.office.com/r/RH1TuHavnC) to find out more.

Build a Drum (12pm to 1pm, 9-12 year olds)

Build your very own percussion instrument!

Join the musician educators from the percussion panel of Music Generation Kildare for a special one-time workshop to celebrate Cruinniú na nÓg.

Using everyday recycled items found around your home, we’ll teach you how to build your very own percussion instrument and help you start creating a home percussion kit.

Booking is essential as places are limited. Sign up here and we’ll be in touch with more details regarding the types of household items you’ll be able to use during the workshop to build your percussion instrument.

Bang a Drum (2pm to 3pm, 9-12 year olds)

Do you love rhythm? Maybe you like making loud noises?! Or perhaps you’ve always wanted to be a drummer?

Then join the amazing musician educators of Music Generation Kildare to explore beats and rhythms for this online workshop to celebrate Cruinniú na nÓg.

We’ll explore body percussion using everyday household items as instruments, play rhythm games, and discover how to put them all together to start creating your very own rhythmic compositions and beat patterns!

If you’ve taken part in our Build a Drum workshop, then why not bring your new drum or percussion instrument along and learn how to play it?

Places are limited, so booking is essential for this workshop. Sign up here and we’ll be in touch with more details around what types of household items you’ll be able to use as your percussion instruments during the workshop.

Word Up Kildare

Over five weeks, the young musicians have worked with Word Up’s experienced artists on creating their very own songs, using rap and spoken word to explore the effect the last year has had on their lives.

Join us for a special performance of their work, which will be available to enjoy all day on Saturday 12th June, 2021. A link to the performance will be available on 12th June.

Fionnuala & The Men of Deeds

“Fionnuala MacCool and the Men of Deeds” is an adaptation of a Fionn Mac Cumhaill tale presented by a cast of 9- and 10-year-olds from Griese Youth Theatre. This physical ensemble piece will be performed outdoors in our youth theatre in Ballitore, and it’s designed to promote our sense of place and belonging.

In this story, a giant seeks Fionnuala’s help to protect the king’s newborn child from the witch who stole his first child. With help from the Men of Deeds, Fionnuala arrives in the land of giants. The Men of Deeds are comically distracted while the witch steals the baby. The second part of the adventure begins with the journey to rescue both children.

The script has a great sense of fun and humour to it, and we are also proud to reflect modern Ireland with the leader of the Fianna being female.

For this engaging ensemble piece, the children create landscapes and double-up as different characters. They have spent months on Zoom working on their performance, and having the opportunity to perform outside will provide them with a truly grounding and rewarding experience.

Depending on restrictions, the performance will be held outdoors in Ballitore or online. Updates and links will follow. https://www.facebook.com/GrieseYouthTheatre

A kite workshop for 15-17 year olds as part of Cruinniú na nÓg and in conjunction with the Kildare Derby Festival.

Create bright, bold designs for a silkscreen kite in this workshop led by international artist Lia Laimbock, who is based on the Curragh.

Open to teens age 15 to 17, this workshop is an opportunity to use wide brushes and bright colours to create works of art that can be seen from afar. The designs will be printed on silkscreen and then attached to a lightweight framework and gear that’s needed to make them fly.

You will create your design by painting on a 160 grams diamond-shaped paper, 150 x 90 cm, or 5 by 4 ft. These will become the blue prints for the silkscreen printing. You can also choose to attach a tail to your kite with bunting or bows.

The finished kites will then be flown on the Curragh as part of the Kildare Derby Festival.

Depending on restrictions, the workshops will take place online via Zoom or in person in Kildare Town. The programme is open to secondary school students in Kildare Town and the Curragh area. Schools will be able to nominate two students. Materials will be provided.

Anyone wishing to view the festival can do so via an online video link available on June 12th.