Cruinniú Na Nóg, A Festival Of Participation And Performance For Children And Young People Returns To Wicklow
Cruinniú na nÓg, the National Day of Creativity for children and young people, returns to County Wicklow on Saturday, 7th June 2025.
A flagship initiative of Creative Ireland’s “Creative Youth Plan,” Cruinniú na nÓg aims to enable, celebrate and encourage the creative potential of young people through creative activities.
This year’s program features a diverse and extensive line-up of events, activities and workshops designed to inspire and delight. All events and activities are free, though some may require pre-booking.
The theme for this year is “Unleash Your Creative Spark!” Attendees can look forward to seeing children and young people engage in music, dance and song performances, as well as participate in creative workshops throughout the county.
More than 30 events, performances, and workshops will take place in twelve locations across the county, including:
Mr. Sands Youth Theatre: will host an open day drama session at Wolfe Tone Community Centre, Bray, where children can play games, interact with theatre members and experience the excitement of youth theatre first hand.
Music Generation in Rathdrum (RDA) Hall: This venue will showcase two special performances by local children, featuring original poetry and music created during workshops with poet Colm Keegan. The premiere of “Rathdrum Rhapsody” by composer Fionn Foley will also take place.
Arklow Music and Arts at Arklow Library: will be in the Arklow Library, facilitating workshops promoting various aspects of the arts for young people for young people, including song, music, dance and drama.
Dunlavin Library: A Gothic Fiction Creative Writing workshop with author Caroline Busher will allow children to explore how classic gothic novels influence children’s books and learn to create a gothic atmosphere by focusing on setting and character development.
Enniskerry Library: A Musical Theatre session with Róisín Bullock will have children learning a dance routine and singing together as a group.
The Courthouse Arts Centre: This venue will facilitate “Atmosphere,” a musical workshop led by Irish/Dutch singing duo Juliana and Remco, where children will collaborate to create a song before performing at the end of the workshop.
To celebrate “Creative Places Baltinglass,” Wicklow County Council's Arts Office has curated a unique Cruinniú na nÓg program for Baltinglass. This includes “Giant Dreams,” an enchanted performance featuring magical music and dancing fairies, along with local students and a special guest. Other local artists will lead workshops and activities, such as Bubbleéire’s Bubble Show, the Battle of the Baltinglass Fairies, an open painting workshop, and an Archaeology Egg Excavation. Performances will also include the Gohery School of Irish Dancing, the Slaney Court Drummers and local rising star Fionn Whelan. All activities will be held in the beautiful surroundings of the Tearmann Community Garden. Later that evening, “Cinema Night,” a local youth-led initiative, will screen “Sing Street” and showcase the winner of the West Wicklow Short Movie Competition at The Lalor Centre.
14-year-old singer-songwriter Fionn Whelan is Co. Wicklow’s ambassador for Cruinniú na nÓg 2025. He began playing the bodhrán and tin whistle at age five, picked up the guitar two years later, and buses on Grafton Street whenever he can. Fionn’s creative hero is Ed Sheeran, and he had the opportunity to perform at Ed Sheeran's concert in the Czech Republic in 2024.
Fionn believes creativity is about “expressing yourself in your own way and using your imagination to turn your ideas into something real.” When asked about the best aspect of Cruinniú na nÓg, Fionn stated, “It is giving kids an opportunity to show off their talents and creativity. A lot of the young people participating might not be experienced in performing or standing in front of a crowd, and I think it’s a great way to build their confidence.”
Commenting on the plans for Cruinniú na nÓg, Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council Cllr. Paul O’Brien, expressed his delight in the wide range of creative activities available for children and young people to perform and participate in during this year’s festival. He noted that the program is sure to ignite imagination and curiosity, and hopes many will attend and enjoy the free events and activities.
Emer O'Gorman, Chief Executive of Wicklow County Council, stated, “I am pleased that the Arts Office, in collaboration with the Library Service, local partners, and stakeholders, is presenting such a vibrant program throughout the county. Cruinniú na nÓg is a wonderful day, and the packed schedule provides access to creative activities in a fun, inclusive, and accessible manner.”
Please note that some events require advance booking while others are drop-in activities. To see the full program and details about events, including booking information, please visit: Creative Ireland
Picture of Fionn Whelan. Photo credit Jason Doherty