Cruinniú na nÓg 2024
Cruinniú na nÓg the national day of free creativity for children and young people under 18 took place across the country on Saturday June 15th 2024. In all there were 24 events organised throughout the county of Laois. Thankfully, the weather was fine, and the sun came out to add to the festival atmosphere where hundreds of kids and teens turned out to participate in the wide range of workshops and events organised for this unique and special day.
Among the events on the day were fun days for all at Mountmellick and Portlaoise Family Resource Centres hosted at Treo Nua and Mountmellick Sports Complex. The Portlaoise Parish Centre also had a fun and culture day organised by the Midlands Ukrainian Association. Treo Nua in Portlaoise was also the venue for a Film Making workshop delivered by Brendan Phelan.
Stradbally Art House hosted painting with coffee and wall hanging workshops. There was a Craftastic and It’s a Process inclusive event at Bloom HQ, Mountrath, while Abbeyleix House organised a paper craft illustration workshop. Dunamaise Arts Centre coordinated three events, a Comic Con arts competition, Creative Dance at Rathdowney Library and a Fall and Float show at the Arts Centre.
Portarlington Library had face painting workshops and free face painting on the day while there was an Interactive School’s Folklore exhibition also in the library coordinated by David Butler and Denis McArdle. Rossa Bracken ran a series of ‘Get Out’ photography and wildlife workshops at Mountmellick Library. Portlaoise Library held three events including a Young Writers workshop, the Big Dig interactive archaeology event and a Messy Play time for the smaller ones.
Abbeyleix Library ran a series of Harp workshops with a beautiful recital on Saturday. Rathdowney Library had a circus skills event where everyone in attendance got to test and improve their circus abilities. There was a wonderful turnout at Laois Le Chéile, where numerous acts played and there was also entertainment provided both inside and outside the venue.
Cruinniú na nÓg 2025
Details of Cruinniú na nÓg 2025 will be announced by Creative Ireland Laois in February 2025.
