Cruinniú na nÓg promises over 40 free family events in Cork this weekend

Cork celebrates creativity as Cruinniú na nÓg takes place across the city tomorrow.

Ireland is the first, and only, country in the world to have a national day of free creativity for children and young people under 18, which will take place tomorrow, Saturday June 15.

With a jam-packed schedule of over 40 free events, the festival is the perfect place for families to explore their creative sides in Cork this weekend.

Some of the events will include ‘Rock the Block’, a massive day of youth rap, music workshops, and music sessions, will take place at the GMC Beats Kabin Studio in Knocknaheeny.

The Circus Factory will host “Cirque na nÓg”, a family fun day of workshops and performances at Elizabeth Fort. Enjoy juggling, hula hoop, spinning plates and flower sticks Circus Workshops, along with Circus Shows and walk about performers.

You can then immerse yourself into the world of film making with the Cork International Film Festival, learn how to draw wildlife in UCC, participate in Music Bingo at Cork Opera House, view a Teenage Film Poetry Showcase in the City Library, or follow a Children’s Engineers Trail in the Old Cork Waterworks Experience.

Writer Ian Wild, who has had over 20 children’s stories broadcast on RTÉ Radio One, is giving an Imaginative Writers Workshop for teenagers, while Billy Lingwood will show young people how to experiment with cyanotype printmaking at St. Peter’s.

A range of arts, crafts, story, and play experiences will also take place in libraries across the city, suitable for younger kids.

For the first time, the Cruinniú na nÓg Programme in Cork will include a series of late-night events. Beginning at 6.30pm in the Circus Factory, prepare to be transported back in time through circus and sound into the legend of Fionn Mac Chumhall with performers from Circus Factory Cork and musicians from Music Generation Cork City Mahon Community Pop Academy.

Cork’s first outdoor Roller Disco will also take place at 7pm in the Central Hall in Marina Park and will feature music by local DJs and demonstrations by Cork Figure Skating Association.

Cruinniú na nÓg is a flagship initiative of the Creative Ireland Programme’s Creative Youth Plan to enable the creative potential of children and young people.

Cruinniú na nÓg in Cork is organised by Cork City Council in conjunction with Creative Ireland.

The inaugural Cruinniú na nÓg took place in 2018 and for the past number of years young people and families have come together to enjoy, a wide range of creative activities including workshops and tutorials to recitals and readings in every city, town and village across the country.

For a full list of all Cork events, see www.corkcity.ie/cnn.