Unleash your creative spark at Kilkenny's Cruinniú na nÓg 2025

Creative Kilkenny has announced details of Cruinniú na nÓg 2025, a spectacular showcase of youthful innovation and creative flair.

Events kick off on Sunday, May 18 at the Happy Pottery Studio, building up to a festival of free events across the county on Saturday, June 7. Young minds are invite to partake in an extraordinary array of 52 free creative activities. 

Cruinniú na nÓg is a celebration of youthful creativity, offering a platform for children and young people to engage in the arts within their own communities. Overseen by the Creative Ireland Kilkenny Culture and Creativity Team, it is supported by a network of local youth organisations, creative professionals, local libraries, and community groups.

A vibrant programme of events awaits children and young people across the county. This year, Cruinniú na nÓg will burst onto the scene, bringing together young dancers, coders, DJs, animators, musicians, circus performers, drama enthusiasts, and artists.

What’s in Store?
The diverse programme includes a wide variety of events in each local library running from Tuesday, June 3 for ages 0-18 years. Highlights include:

Cameraless Filmmaking and Exhibition at the Butler Gallery
Little Einsteins Dancing Bubblicious Fun at Glenmore Parish Hall
Creative Printing, Dance and Movement Workshops through Irish
Game Development
From Scratch Pop-Up Performances from 10am – 6.30pm at Castlecomer Discovery Park, Windgap, and Drum Youth Centre in the MacDonagh Centre

Partnering with the Watergate Theatre and Waterford Walls, this year’s Cruinniú na nÓg invites young people between the ages o 12 and 18 years to create vibrant, collaborative murals through Wonder Walls! Participants will work with a professional artist in two workshops and present their mural on Cruinniú na nÓg. Attendance at both workshops is required. If you don't secure a spot, join the drop-in session on Saturday, June  to get involved. Bookings are through the Watergate Theatre.

To discover the full array of events, visit the Cruinniú na nÓg website, or collect a copy from your nearest library. Each event has contact and booking information on the Cruinniú na nÓg website.

Older teens are also included. Kilkenny has been designated a night time economy pilot area, to support a comprehensive line-up of events for those who want to participate in the evening and night time.

Events for Ages 13-18
These night time events include:

Vinyl Disc Design Painting Party with DJ
Animation Workshops with Artists from Cartoon Saloon
Epic Digital Music Workshop
Creative Dance through Irish
Butts Mini Festival at the Fr. McGrath Centre
From Scratch Pop-Up Performances
Scent and Sensibility at My Skin
The Bunting Fairy at Kilkenny Design Centre
To find a listing for Cruinniú na nÓg events near you, please check out the Cruinniú na nÓg website: https://cruinniu.creativeireland.gov.ie/events/

“Kilkenny County Council are delighted to support Cruinniú na nÓg and look forward to an amazing line up of events for young children across the County, and this year we also look forward to a range of night time events for older teens through Night Time Economy funding," said Director of Services Fiona Deegan.

The Kilkenny's Creative Communities Engagement Officer, Majella Keating, Coordinator of the events said: “This year, we are thrilled to announce an additional 16 exciting events. I am deeply grateful to everyone who has contributed to making this programme a continued success and accessible to so many people across Kilkenny. I have had the pleasure of working collaboratively with various groups to develop this programme. These events would not be possible without the voluntary efforts and dedication of all involved."

Further information of events is available on Cruinniú na nÓg (creativeireland.gov.ie) alternatively you can download the Kilkenny app: Kilkenny Events – The Kilkenny App.

Cruinniú na nÓg Kilkenny is organised by Kilkenny County Council Creativity Team as a part of the Creative Ireland Programme.