Kids are urged to get creative

DUBLIN’S Lord Mayor is calling on the kids of the capital to fire up their imaginations and take part in one of the 33 free Cruinniú na nÓg events taking place around the city on Saturday, June 15.

Cruinniú na nÓg is an initiative of the Creative Ireland Programme and it’s supported by local councils and RTÉ. 

This year’s programme in Dublin includes lots of family friendly activities including everything from puppeteering, performance, coding and dance to theatre, art and music workshops, fabric printing, readings and film screenings.

Now in its second year, Cruinniú na nÓg celebrates and encourages participation by young people in creative activities in their local communities.  

Events happening on the Northside include Paul Timoney and Juliette Saumande engaging children’s senses as they tell stories with the kids using props in Storytime For All at Charleville Mall Library Dublin 1.

Other highlights on this side of the Liffey are Kids Curate and Code Workshop at EPIC Museum, CHQ. 

This event is ideal for budding art, coding, or culture enthusiasts as they can learn how to create their own interactive museum game and website.

There’s also a fully immersive experience at the ArtCart Interactive VR and AR Workshops where fantasy meets with virtual reality and augmented reality on Wolfe Tone Street from 1-4pm.

And children who pop into Cabra Library on the day will be able to wander freely and explore the sights, feelings and sounds with Soundscape – Immersive Multisensory Experience for Children with Autism.

 Sounds artist Slavek Kwi and performer Niamh Lawlor will guide children with communication difficulties to relate to the world in new ways.

Teenagers dreading the Leaving or Junior Certs might enjoy Crash Test Caint in Axis Ballymun from 5pm-6pm. 

It celebrates creativity through Irish with comedy, performance, music and poetry and a host of guest speakers, games and opportunities for young people to perform.

Little groovers can make some serious shapes and bust out their best dance moves in Dublin Castle’s Dubh Linn Gardens or at Tiny Dancer, an innovative DJ set especially for kids with Donal Dineen featuring music from all over the world.

Lord Mayor Nial Ring said it’s a day for doing, making, celebrating and creating.

“Young minds are fertile ground for exploration and learning,” he continued.

“We want all the kids of Dublin to get up, get out and fire up their imaginations with this fantastic programme of free events happening right across the capital.”

Full details for Cruinniú na nÓg Dublin programme of events can be found at the following link – cruinniu.creativeireland.gov.ie.