Stage is set for Clare’s Cruinniú na nÓg events

CHILDREN and young people across Clare are gearing up for a celebration of youthful creativity on Saturday, June 12.
Cruinniú na nÓg is a flagship initiative of the Creative Ireland Programme’s Creative Youth plan. Among its local support organisations are Creative Ireland Clare and Clare County Council.
Cruinniú is a component of the already well-established annual programme of activities organised by the Library and Arts Service for children and young adults.
Recognising the cultural vibrancy in Clare, the Council has mobilised a strong Creative Ireland Culture Team to deliver the programme in the county.
Helen Walsh, Clare County Library is the Creative Ireland Coordinator and Sheila Quinn is the Curator of the programme.
Across the county, artists and creative practitioners have been busy working with young people to produce 24 events, which will be hosted online on June 12.
Highlights of the local programme of events include a film by Fanore NS, entitled The Magic of the Sea.
It incorporates an engaging mix of narration, music, song, poetry, and composition. The story follows a seal known as Silkie, who loved her life in the ocean.
The piece was filmed locally in an ancient ring fort, on the sand dunes, at Fanore beach, and the surrounding area.
‘Rising Tide’ with Maeve Stone will engage children on themes of climate adaptation and community resilience.
Children, who were encouraged to take home small ceramic boats last Saturday (May 29) will return to Lahinch on June 5, when the vessels will be laid on the beach to spell out a message of hope.
The children who return with their boats will be interviewed to discover more about what they’ve created and the message it conveys.
They will be able to keep their boats as a reminder of the future they’ve imagined.
A video of the project will be shown on June 12.
The Hazel Wanderlings with Áine O’Brien invites children to learn about the magic of the woods.
Fairy Áine, who has used up all her moon magic to become an adult, will share the secrets of the Hazel Wander Fairies.
There are lots more local and national events online at the Cruinniú na nÓg website to Cruinniu.creativeireland.gov.ie.
The programme will be available on June 12 on the Creative Ireland Clare Facebook Page and Clarelibrary.ie.