Cruinniú na nÓg 2025, Ireland's national day of free activity and young people, was launched earlier this month.
Taking place on Saturday June 7, this annual event will see 1,000 free events run across the country, celebrating creativity for children and young people through music, art, circus, film, storytelling and more.
This event, was launched by Minister Patrick O'Donovan TD at Limerick's King John's Castle, featuring a special performance from the Irish Chamber Youth Orchestra, who will also perform at Glórach Theatre in Abbeyfeale.
The launch also featured members of the County Limerick Youth Theatre, who are marking its 30th anniversary. Youth Theatre Ireland ambassadors Ella Jurascheck also attended, alongside Ryan Keogh and Megan Hogan, who is an ambassador for Waterford Walls.
Circus ambassadors Rosie Barker and Khloe Kavanagh also attended the launch, alongside RTÉ's This Is Art initiative Isabella Prime.
As part of this launch, the Department's Late Night Economy Initiative will support, Cruinniú Late, a number of youth-led late-night events, which are organised in safe spaces by and for 13 and 18 year old, and will include music, spoken word and live music performances.
Such events include: ‘We Own The Castle – Live Youth Music Festival with Garageland Galaxyz – Cruinniú na nÓg , a youth music festival at Swords Castle, Dublin, and ‘Youth Stage’ in Galway’s Father Burke Park Youth Lates: Spoken Word – Cruinniú na nÓg.
Announcing Cruinniú nÓg 2025, Minister Patrick O'Donovan TD, had this to say.
‘This year Cruinniú na nÓg promises an exciting and inclusive programme – from filmmaking to circus workshops, song writing to sensory events. I’m especially proud of the Cruinniú Late events offering safe, fun spaces for teenagers to explore and showcase their creativity. These 1000+ events wouldn’t be possible without the outstanding work of our local authority culture and creativity teams", he said.
"I’m delighted that Cruinniú continues to foster cross-community creative collaboration in the spirit of the Shared Island initiative, offering young people opportunities to engage in creative activities, build new relationships, and bring communities together".
These cross border creative collaborations include a VR project which encapsulates the creative journey of 20 young people from Wexford to Belfast, looking at issues such as climate change and mental health through drama, circus, and visual art.
Young musicians from Leitrim and Fermanagh will also perform live at professionally organised gigs.
Other events include:
Circus Picnics – Presented by Irish Street Arts, Circus and Spectacle Network (ISACS), invite young people to explore circus skills in a relaxed, picnic-style setting at locations nationwide.
RTÉ This is Art! 2025 – Creative Ireland and RTÉ’s celebrated national art competition for young people returns. The theme will be revealed on Cruinniú na nÓg day.
We Own the Castle – A live youth music festival set in the historic surrounds of Swords Castle, giving young performers a chance to take centre stage.
Rock the Block – A high-energy, youth-led celebration of music, dance, and street culture taking place in Carnegie Courtyard, Cork City Library.
The Walls Project – During May, workshops in 13 locations will offer young people the opportunity to work with professional mural artists, exploring colour, design, and graffiti techniques to create large-scale public artworks.
Youth Theatre Ireland Gatherings – 21 youth theatre groups will unite in five regional hubs to collaborate, perform, and celebrate their creativity as part of the Youth Theatre Island project
