18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Wexford pop-up ‘Play Day' brings the community together
The pop up event was organised by the Enniscorthy Municipal District, Creative Places Enniscorthy and FDYS and was held to mark National Play Day 2025, The aim of National Play Day is to promote play and recreation opportunities for children and young people across the country.
The theme this year is 'The Power of Play', This year's theme highlights the many benefits of play for children's development, including physical, social, emotional and cognitive growth. It should raise awareness of the vital role that play does play in a child's life.
Each year the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth provides funds for Local Authorities to engage in National Play Day. Following the pop-up event, part of the funding from the Department will be used to purchase durable play equipment for community settings.
Children heartily engaged with a number of games including tug of war, sack races and had fun with colourful fabric.
The peace park was an optimal location to host the festivities as large instruments were installed last year to improve physical activity through playful activities, adding colour and more interest into the park. There is a bench shaped xylophone, flowers that make noise with movement and plenty of bells to keep children entertained.
A number of councillors were in attendance including Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy, Cllr Patricia Byrne, and Cllr John O'Rourke who joined in on the games.
Before the pop-up event began, funding was also provided for a morning training workshop for people volunteering or working with children and young people that was hosted by play strategist Martin O'Donoghue from Cork.
