Latest news with #CruinniúnanÓg
Irish Independent
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Over 50 Mayo children's books to be showcased at Cruinniú na nÓg
June 7 will see the launch of The Children's Books of Mayo Map in the National Museum of Ireland, Turlough Park, Castlebar at 2pm. Led by Mayo County Library and Mayo County Council's Culture and Creativity Team, with the support of local authors, illustrators, publishers, and booksellers, the map aims to celebrate the unique literary landscape of Mayo and inspire children to visit their local libraries, discover new books, and explore the places that inspired these books. Local artist Melanie Whelan was commissioned to design and illustrate the Children's Books of Mayo Map. The launch of the map will include an exhibition called 'Islands of Imagination' showcasing the characters created by children during a series of workshops held across Mayo in the lead-up to the launch. Ms Whelan, who led the workshops, described the Children's Books of Mayo Map as 'a dream project'. Austin Vaughan, County Librarian and Creative Ireland Coordinator, Mayo County Council, described the project as 'a great way to celebrate the stories inspired by Mayo, and talent from Mayo'. Cruinniú na nÓg is a national day celebrating the creativity of young people, with events taking place around the country. A range of other creative activities and book readings will take place at in the National Museum of Ireland at 11.30am to 4pm to coincide with the launch of The Children's Books of Mayo Map. The Children's Books of Mayo Map features a diverse selection of books, ranging from illustrated storybooks to graphic novels, available in both English and Irish. A complete list of the featured books is provided on the back of the map.
RTÉ News
14 hours ago
- Health
- RTÉ News
The charity bringing joy, creativity and culture to young lives
Helene Hugel, founder and CEO of Helium Arts, explores the work of the Irish charity that brings creativity and joy to children and young people aged 6–16 living with lifelong physical health conditions. Imagine being a child or teenager living with a lifelong physical health condition—hospital visits, daily medications, missing out on school or playdates. You're not just living with the condition—you start to feel defined by it, explaining it over and over at every new activity. Now imagine someone handing you a paintbrush or a camera and saying, "Go ahead, create something amazing." That's the kind of transformation Helium Arts brings to life. Helium Arts is a national charity in Ireland that supports children and teenagers aged 6–16 with health conditions such as diabetes, epilepsy, spina bifida, heart conditions, juvenile arthritis,rare diseases and more. Through free creative workshops in communities, hospitals, and online, Helium offers these young people a way to build confidence, make friends, and most importantly—have fun. Led by professional artists and supported by volunteers and medical staff, these workshops are more than just arts and crafts. They're safe, welcoming spaces where young people can be themselves, explore their creativity, build confidence, and make real connections with others who understand what they're going through. Art becomes a powerful way to connect. It helps build mental well-being, a sense of belonging, and even a bit of joy during tough times. In Ireland, over 156,000 children and teenagers live with long-term health conditions. Many experience isolation or are excluded from typical social activities. Helium Arts is working to change that, especially through their growing work in the area of inclusion health—an approach that tackles barriers faced by disadvantaged children. Research shows that children from these backgrounds are three times more likely to have their lives impacted by their conditions.* Art becomes a powerful way to connect. It helps build mental well-being, a sense of belonging, and even a bit of joy during tough times. Parents often say that after attending a Helium workshop, their child comes home happier, more confident, and excited about something new—sometimes for the first time in a while. This spirit of creativity and resilience is captured in Journeys, Helium Arts' latest exhibition. Featuring artwork by children and teenagers in the programme, the exhibition celebrates the journeys of these young artists as they create their own paths in life – reminding us that a journey isn't only about where it leads, but also about the stories it tells along the way. The exhibition is now open in Ennis and coming soon to Dublin, and as part of Cruinniú na nÓg on 7th June, there'll be free workshops and open studios where families can drop in, get creative, and see firsthand what Helium is all about. At its heart, we believe every child deserves to feel creative, included, and proud of who they are. Through the power of art, Helium is helping young people shine—even in the face of big challenges.
Irish Independent
18 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Wicklow to come alive during Cruinniú na nÓg celebrations
A flagship initiative of Creative Ireland's 'Creative Youth Plan,' Cruinniú na nÓg aims to enable, celebrate, and encourage the creative potential of children and young people through creative activities. This year's programme features a diverse and extensive line-up of events, activities, and workshops designed to inspire and delight. 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. A workshop on how to make a movie on your mobile phone runs from 10am to 12 noon and from 1pm to 3pm at the ScreenHub in Clermont House, Rathnew and is the perfect way for teens aged 13 to 16 to explore video production using just their smartphone or tablet. Whether they are into YouTube, TikTok, short films, or just love being creative, this workshop helps teens gain confidence and skills to keep making videos at home. Numbers are limited so booking is required. An event titled 'Comic Masterclass – The Art of Graphic Novels' takes place in Greystones Library from 10am to 12.30pm where participants will learn how to draw comics or graphic novels with artist Nicola Sedgwick. There is no need to bring anything with you on the day. Pre-booking is required by calling 01 2873548 or by dropping into the library. A bug art and bug hotel workshop takes place in Tinahely Library from 10am to 12 noon. Join local artist Tina Mouritzen in a fun art and creative session. Learn how to draw a bug of your choice and make your own bug hotel using natural and recycled materials. Take your finished hotel home and watch the bugs get comfortable in your garden. Róisín Bullock will host a musical theatre session at Enniskerry Library from 10.15am to 11.15am and from 11.15am to 12.15am for fun singing and dancing session. 'Me + The Moon' visited a number of selected primary schools in Wicklow for creative workshops on the process of painting and collage. The children's work will then be showcased at an art exhibition at our studio at Killruddery House and Gardens, running from 10am to 4pm. An introduction into comic-making, for new comic artists takes place in the Mermaid Arts Centre, Bray, from 11.30am to 1pm. Encouraging kids to write is no easy feat but comics are one of the best mediums for storytelling. In this 90-minute workshop, they will learn about the key basics on how to create their own comic strip. Get creative in the beautiful surroundings of Tearmann Community Gardens, Baltinglass. Art for All is a relaxed, open painting and drawing workshop for children and adults alike. Whether you're a seasoned scribbler or just curious to try, everyone is welcome to join in. It runs from 11am to 4pm. Children from three Rathdrum schools - Rathdrum Boys' National School, St Saviour's National School and Our Lady's National School, will unite for a special performance, showcasing original poetry and music they helped create during their workshops with acclaimed poet Colm Keegan, taking place from 11am to 11.45am and 12 noon to 1.15pm at the RDA Hall in Rathdrum. A fun and creative musical workshop for children, facilitated by songwriter and musician duo Juliana and Remco takes place in the Tinahely Courthouse Arts from 11am to 1pm. The workshop commences with a familiarization session, where the participants engage in singing and name games. The latter half of the workshop focuses on creating a song as a group and exploring the theme recollection. The workshop culminates in the children performing the song they created. Making Waves Youth Theatre, Greystones, hosts a youth theatre workshop that takes you behind the scenes to show what happens in a Making Waves drama workshop, taking place from 11.30am to 1.30pm. Step into a world of wonder with Bubbleéire's Bubble Show—a magical outdoor experience, designed especially for young children ages 3 to 11 years, taking place at Tearmann Community Garden, Baltinglass, from 11.30am to 1.30pm. Seán Begley will host a kids' comic workshop suitable for 7-12 year olds running from 2pm to 3.15pm and 3.3opm to 4.45pm at Ballywaltrim Library. Using a Powerpoint presentation, Seán goes through the elements that comprise a comic-book, such as word and thought balloons, sound effects, panels, descriptive boxes, artistic styles and genres etc. Participants are then given the opportunity to brainstorm and write basic dialogue between characters in a 4-panel page. This is followed by rough-sketching of comic character heads, in a variety of poses and expressing a range of emotions, with reference to visual examples from a variety of comic books. The focus will then switch to full-body action poses and examine how this translates to a comic-book page. A 'Battle of the Baltinglass Fairies' and storytelling and craft workshop takes place at Tearmann Community Garden, Parkmore, Baltinglass from 12 noon to 1pm and from 3.15pm to 4.15pm. It's ancient Ireland. Tempers are heated between the fairy clans of Rathcoran and Rathnagree. Come along and hear their story, create your own battle headdress and join in the hunt for stolen fairy treasure. Join visual artist printmaker Susie Fortune from White Doodle Art for a fun and creative Plein Air Printmaking workshop at the beautiful Powerscourt Estate, designed especially for children aged 7-12, and running from 1.20pm to 3pm. The library in Wicklow town will be hosting three events. 'Calm and Create' is a session of mindful, messy, fun, creative art, with workshops for 4-7 year olds running from 10.30am to 11.30am and 8-13 year olds from 12 noon to 1pm. A special summer planting story time takes place at 11am where you will learn all about how bees are so important for our gardens and then you will plant flower seeds to bring home. A design your own book cover workshop for 9-12 year olds runs from 2.30pm to 3.30pm. Booking is required for all the events and you can contact the library at wicklib@ or 0404 67025. Greystones library offers the chance to become a world class DJ with Helena Byrne on the decks, running from 1pm to 2.15pm. Pre-booking required by calling 01 2873548 or dropping into the Library. Do you want to improve your Minecraft skills? Join an intermediate Minecraft workshop in Blessington Library, where Damian and his team will help you learn new tricks and tips to make your gameplay even better. It runs from 1pm to 3pm. A 'Giant Dreams' presentation also takes place in Tearmann Community Garden, from 2pm to 3pm. It will feature children from the primary schools, secondary schools, Kippure Lodge and Slaney Court International Protection Centres in Baltinglass MD. Step into a world of adventure and folklore as 150 young creators bring the story of Dagda ,the local legendary king, to life in a spectacular performance. The children will embark on an exciting quest to find Dagda's lost magic harp, with vibrant drumming, singing, storytelling, and the appearance of a giant puppet, bringing the legend to life! Expect plenty of audience participation as the search unfolds, leading to a grand celebration of music, community, and fun. Paul Timoney is a bug-builder, with decades of experience, attaching pipe cleaners and sticky eyes to cartons, using sticky tape and string. He will be holding a workshop at the Mermaid Arts Centre, Bray, from 2pm to 4pm. A workshop on how to build your own cinema experience takes place at the Lalor Centre, Baltinglass, from 4pm to 8pm. It will be followed by a showcase of the West Wicklow Short Movie Competition, where the winner of the €250 voucher for camera equipment will be announced. The evening concludes with a free screening of 'Sing Street' for all competition entrants and those who booked their ticket on Eventbrite. A performance of Indonesian Gamelan music with shadow puppetry and the opportunity for attendees to learn to play the Gamelan for themselves, takes place at Bray Library from 3pm to 5pm. Mr. Sands Youth Theatre hosts an open day taster session from 3pm to 4.30pm at Wolfe Tone Community Centre in Bray. At this open day drama session you will get to play games, chat to our existing members, and find out just how amazing and life-changing it can be to join youth theatre. Me + The Moon will visited a number of selected primary schools in Wicklow for creative workshops on the process of painting and collage. The children's work will then be showcased at an art exhibition at our studio at Killruddery House and Gardens, running from 10am to 4pm. While all the events are free, pre-booking is still required for some of the offerings. Details are available on the Cruinniú na nÓg website.
Irish Independent
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
The top ten things to do in Sligo this week: June 4-10
There's no shortage of brilliant events taking place in Sligo this week, and if you're wondering what's on, we've compiled a list of the best things to do in the area this week. Cruinniú na nóg Cruinniú na nÓg takes place on Saturday, June 7. A day of free creativity for children and young people. Events take place in Hawk's Well Theatre, Sligo Central Library and Tubbercurry Library. The full programme of events can be found at Emma Rawicz Stellar jazz saxophonist Emma Rawicz will be performing with her exceptional quartet featuring Elliot Galvin (piano), Kevin Glasgow (bass) and Asaf Sirkis (drums) at Hawk's Well Theatre on Thursday, June 5, Rawicz is a multi-award winning young bandleader and composer who is making waves on the UK music scene and beyond. Josephine Foster Abhainn Studio & October Nights are thrilled to welcome the acclaimed US singer Josephine Foster to Enniscrone this Saturday, June 7, as part of an Irish tour. Josephine Foster is an American artist celebrated as a singer, multi-instrumentalist, and composer. Her voice seems to drift from another time. Her music carries the soul of old folk songs, operatic hymns, and blues, yet moves freely, like a dream half-remembered. Tickets via eventbrite Is Mise Éire Eile: I am another Ireland A powerful new theatre piece coming to Hawk's Well Theatre, on Wednesday June 4. Is Mise Éire Eile: I am another Ireland tells the true story of a community confronting itself in the wake of protest and change. Following the performance, audiences are invited to stay for a panel discussion featuring company members, local community organisers, and elected officials. Zoid jazz quartet This is Irish musician Daniel Jacobson's first Irish gig since moving to Bristol in 2024, taking place at Lillie's on Friday, June 6. Since the move he's been getting involved with the Bristol jazz scene, playing with some of the many great musicians there at jam sessions around the city. Ailíse Maxwell and Friends Take a midday pause and enjoy an afternoon of beautiful music with Ailíse Maxwell and Friends as part of Lunchtime at the Well at Hawk's Well Theatre. Join Hawk's Well on Wednesday, June 4 at 1:10pm for a gentle and uplifting concert featuring original compositions and fresh interpretations of traditional music. Yonder Boys Yonder Boys will play live in Brees, Strandhill on Friday, June 6. Yonder Boys is an Americana/ Bluegrass/Folk trio with David Stewart Ingleton (vocals, banjo), Jason Serious (vocals, guitar), and Tomás Peralta (vocals, mandolin, bass). Presenting their new single 'Makeshift Family' and other songs off our up coming album to be released this year. Kenton Cool's Everest Everest/Sagarmatha/Chomolungma has long captured the imagination of mountaineers and aspiring adventurers as the pinnacle of climbing: simply the highest point on the planet that 'must be reached'. Kenton Cool - the 18x summit non-Sherpa record-holder – has created a new show to take audiences on a fascinating journey through the history of the highs and lows. See this show at Hawk's Well on Tuesday, June 10. Illuminations Enjoy a night of poetry and conversation – everyone's welcome, and admission is free at The Model on Thursday, June 5. There's an informal atmosphere and no need to sign up to read beforehand, you can just make your way there and enjoy yourself, read your own work or a favourite poem by a famous author. The Life and Times of Paddy Armstrong Fifty years after his wrongful conviction, at the age of 74, Paddy is facing into his twilight years and wrestling with a thousand turbulent memories. In Paddy, he relives the journey that forever altered his destiny. A one-man show, starring Don Wycherley as Paddy, the play is inspired by Paddy's memoir Life After Life, a Guildford Four Memoir. See this show at Hawk's Well on Saturday, June 7.
RTÉ News
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Vegetable orchestra prepares for first gig in Ireland
Oasis, Dua Lipa and Charli XCX are among the big names heading to Ireland for concerts this summer. But Ballyroan Library in Dublin can arguably lay claim to hosting the most 'mouth-watering' gig of them all. The London Vegetable Orchestra come to town on Saturday 7 June, and there won't be a traditional instrument in sight. That's because the ensemble of musicians turn carrots, courgettes and peppers into working instruments to perform famous tunes. Tim Cranmore, a recorder maker by trade, started the unusual orchestra after discovering the story of a Japanese man who crafted the instrument out of carrots. "Well, if you think of a tree which is cylindrical, it grows in the ground, it's got roots, it's got leaves, and the carrot is the same; cylindrical, grows in the ground, strong roots, it's got leaves. So, there's no reason why a carrot should not make a recorder every bit as good as a tree, and in fact they do. In some aspects they're better," he explained. The LVO have performed their renditions of classical music, pop hits and Disney sing-a-longs across the UK and around the world. They have even had an audience with an amused King Charles, who gave the carrot recorder a try himself. They will give two workshops at 'Loud at the Library' for Cruinniú na nÓg, Ireland's national day of free creativity for children and young people. "We'll be performing for the young people, teaching them to make vegetable instruments, and how to play them. It'll be our first trip to Ireland, but hopefully not the last," said orchestra member Patrick Johns.
