Cruinniú na nÓg took place last Saturday in living rooms and kitchens throughout Donegal and across Ireland.
Children and young people had the opportunity to participate in a whole range of online activities including online workshops, a mini youth music festival, short film release and tutorials.
The national day of youthful creativity is now in its third year of delivering creative events to young people in their own locality. This year with public health advice, it required a creative approach.
Speaking on behalf of Donegal County Council’s Cruinniú na nÓg team, Karen Sheehy is delighted with how well it was received.
“Children from all corners of Donegal and beyond were able to access quality creative workshops with experienced professionals in creative writing, song writing, coding and broadcasting, without having to leave the house,” said Karen.
Some of the events required some input prior to the big day and are widely available online. Budding young chefs contributed to a dedicated e-book, Recipes for Disaster.
The Alone Together youth mini music festival, organised by the Regional Cultural Centre in collaboration with The Loft, offered young musicians and music fans the opportunity to put together their very own festival.
A Short Film Gathering of the Force, which premiered on social media on Saturday, was also a huge hit.
The film represents the resilience of young people throughout this pandemic and showcases the breathtaking scenery at Donegal’s Banba’s Crown.
Across Ireland there were over 500 free to attend virtual events and activities which catered for those aged 0 – 18 years. One of the greatest strengths of Cruinniú 2020 was that each family in Ireland had equal access to cultural programmes across the country and could attend events at the dedicated children’s cultural centre The Ark and the Hugh Lane Gallery in Dublin without having to make a trip.
Cruinniú na nÓg is the flagship initiative of the Creative Ireland Programme’s Creative Youth plan. Donegal County Council’s Culture and Creativity Team administer the programme in County Donegal.
You can view the Alone Together Music Festival, read the Recipes for Disaster book and watch the Gathering the Force video at the links below.
Alone Together Music Festival
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMeDoJ19KAk
Recipes for Disasters ebook
http://regionalculturalcentre.com/event/recipesfordisasters/?event_date=2020-06-14
Gathering of the Force
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHRgFnbXpSY
