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Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Josepha Madigan, today announced that Saturday 23rd June, 2018 will be a national day of creativity for children and young people.

Cruinniú na nÓg aims to celebrate and encourage participation by children and young people in culture and creativity in their communities through a rich variety of activities including performances, theatre, art and music, creative workshops, readings and screenings, special events and much more. Events will be free and activity based with opportunities for young people to get involved in ‘doing’, ‘making’, ‘creating’ and trying new things.

This event aims to build on the success of last year’s Cruinniú na Cásca and also implement a key commitment in the Creative Youth Plan. This Plan, launched in December 2017, aims to enable the creativity of every child and young person. Each of the 31 Local Authorities will lead on creating a programme of local events to showcase and share opportunities for children and young people, up to 18 years, to experience creative activities in their county.

Speaking today Minister Madigan TD said:

“Everyone has the potential to be creative - the Creative Ireland Programme is all about encouraging everyone to get involved in creative activities and I am delighted that, on Saturday 23rd June, children and young people across the country will have the opportunity to do just that.

Cruinniú na nÓg is a national day of creativity for our children and young people. It is about giving them the opportunity to express themselves through a specially curated programme of cultural and creative activities where they can share their ideas, learn new skills and have fun!

Underlying the Creative Youth Plan, of which Cruinniú na nÓg is one of 18 actions, is a firm conviction that participation in creative and cultural activities from dancing to singing to coding equips our young people to flourish in their personal lives and helps give them skills that will stand to them throughout their lives.

I would like to especially thank the 31 Local Authorities, their Culture Teams and our Creative Ireland coordinators who are putting together a fantastic range of events, details of which will be announced shortly. I know that there is activity happening all the time in our cities, towns and villages – let’s showcase this activity and get more children and young people involved, making, creating, experiencing – that what is at the heart of the Creative Ireland Programme.”

Cruinniú na nÓg is an initiative of the Creative Ireland Programme at the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and is presented in partnership with the Local Authorities and RTÉ.