Creative Places Baltinglass and Wicklow County Council Arts Office are delighted to celebrate the culmination of three major community creativity projects taking place across Baltinglass this June, showcasing the creativity, collaboration and voices of local children, young people and community participants.
The programme highlights the public launch and presentation of projects developed through Creative Places Baltinglass, including two ambitious initiatives funded through the Creative Community Activation Fund: Moves of Belonging and Echoes from the Hills. Over recent months, both projects have brought artists, children and young people together through collaborative creative processes exploring identity, heritage, belonging and connection to place.
Moves of Belonging is a vibrant dance project developed with children from the Slaney Court IPAS Centre in collaboration with lead artist Karen Aguiar and dancers Josué Reis and Bboy Aleon. Through hip hop and breakdance, participants explored creativity, movement and self-expression, culminating in an energetic public performance celebrating connection, confidence and belonging.
Echoes from the Hills – A Neolithic Mosaic for Scoil Naomh Íosaf brought students together with artist Liliia Kyrychenko and historian Mairéad Kelly to create a large-scale mosaic inspired by the area’s rich Neolithic heritage. Using recycled materials, the project encouraged participants to explore local history, sustainability and creativity while collaboratively producing a public artwork connected to place and community.
Both projects will be showcased publicly for the first time as part of Cruinniú na nÓg 2026 on Saturday, 6th June.
In advance of these celebrations, Creative Places Baltinglass will also mark the launch of The Biddies of Baltinglass project on Tuesday, 2nd June. This special event celebrates the publication of a book and sound recording created by the women involved in the group, capturing local voices, stories and shared experiences through creative collaboration.
As part of Cruinniú na nÓg 2026, the Baltinglass community is invited to come along explore and enjoy a vibrant programme of free events including music, dance, visual arts, storytelling and hands-on creative workshops for children, young people and families.
Commenting on the plans for Cruinniú na nÓg, Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council Cllr. Melanie Corrigan said, “Cruinniú na nÓg in Baltinglass is a wonderful celebration of the creativity, imagination and talent of local children and young people. Wicklow County Council is proud to support this vibrant programme of free events and activities, delivered in partnership with Creative Places Baltinglass. It is fantastic to see creativity bringing communities together in such meaningful and inclusive ways.”
Emer O'Gorman, Chief Executive of Wicklow County Council, commented, “The Biddies of Baltinglass’ is a wonderful example of the power of creativity to celebrate local voices, stories and shared experiences. Wicklow County Council is delighted to support this important Creative Places Baltinglass project, which highlights the creativity, heritage and community spirit of the women involved. I warmly congratulate everyone who contributed to the publication and sound recording.”
For the full Cruinniú na Óg programme and booking details please visit: https://cruinniu.gov.ie/events/location/wicklow/
Cruinniú na nÓg is an initiative of the Creative Ireland Programme’s Creative Youth Plan, in partnership with local authorities and cultural organisations nationwide.