Creative Sparks Unleashed across the Kingdom!

Cruinniú na nÓg shone a spotlight on the next generation of creatives throughout Kerry. On Saturday, 6
June, there were multiple opportunities for children and young people to participate in creative events
which took place at Sneem to Caherdaniel, Killorglin, Listowel, Dingle/Daingean Uí Chuis, Castleisland,
Killarney, Tralee and Kenmare.

The age groups catered for ranged from 4-20 years. Indoor and outdoor events, workshops, screening
and performances were at full capacity in many locations. One of the highlights was Síamsa Tíre, Tralee,
which played host to Youth Theatre Ireland, Wonder Walls, Voices of Traveller Tradition and Happy
Hoopla. One parent said, “This should be on every weekend! It is great to see children exploring their
creativity, generating it instead of just consuming it”. Collis Sandes House hosted ‘Me and the Moon’ and
Tralee Pottery Club, open from 10.00am-4.00pm. The events were jam-packed, showing a passion for
creativity across the young generations.

Music Generation Kerry’s Speak Out Rap Project was a resounding success with young people in Tralee.
Delivered in partnership with KCYS Tralee, the programme included both a core youth group and
community workshops to celebrate Cruinniú na nÓg 2026. Speak Out is a fresh and exciting addition to
the Music Generation Kerry youth music programmes, and they are eager to expand on its success in
2027 in response to the clear appetite for more creative opportunities for young people in Kerry.
Listowel, the literary capital of Ireland offered creative writing to children and had a full house proving that
creative writing remains central to the local culture.

Killorglin, home to KVisual, a successor to KFest had a full turnout in the ‘Collaborative Collage’
workshops and exhibition. The quality of work on the day was outstanding, with facilitator Darragh Kinch
advising, ‘The level of natural ability is seriously impressive, and working as a collaborative team, in a
cohesive manner, helped unleash that creative spark.’

Participating libraries across the county were fully booked and feedback was extremely positive with
planning underway already for 2027 due to obvious demand.

Creative Ireland Coordinator for Kerry, Kate Kennelly, stated “The day could not happen without the
talented creative practitioners, venues and organisations across Kerry who delivered the range of
creative events”. She further expressed thanks to both the Arts Office team at Kerry County Council and
Creative Ireland for their support in making the day the success it was.

Mayor of Kerry, Cllr. Michael Foley, expressed his gratitude to the parents and families who supported
the events, stating, ‘They are the custodians of the next generation of Kerry creatives, and their interest
and attendance is invaluable towards ensuring the success of Cruinniú na nÓg in Kerry’.

Cruinniú na nÓg is funded by Creative Ireland, supported by Kerry County Council Arts Service &Creative Ireland Office and the County Library Services.