PICTURES: Packed programme of events launched for Laois Cruinniú na nÓg

This year's programme of events for Laois Cruinniú na nÓg, a day of free creativity for children and young people has been launched. 

This year's festival will take place on Saturday, June 15, with 24 separate events spread right across the county with everything from circus skills to wildlife photography included.

Laois Cruinniú na nÓg 2024 was launched outside Portlaoise Library with children from Scoil Bhride, Portlaoise helping to build the excitement ahead of this year's festival.

The children, who are involved in the Music Rich programme, played some lively tunes from their ukuleles and were guided by Terry Byrne from Music Generation.

Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council, Cllr Paschal McEvoy was in attendance along with Rossa Bracken who is the Laois Cruinniú na nÓg ambassador for 2024. 

Wildlife and photography enthusiast Rossa is facilitating his own ‘Get Out’ workshop at Mountmellick Library while Jeca the clown was also in attendance to bring a bit of much needed mayhem to the photo shoot and was of great assistance to Alf Harvey in making everyone smile for the photos!

Ireland is the first, and only, country in the world to have a national day of free creativity for children and young people under 18. Cruinniú na nÓg is a flagship initiative of the Creative Ireland Programme’s Creative Youth Plan to enable the creative potential of children and young people. 

Since 2018 young people and families have come together to enjoy, a wide range of creative activities including workshops and tutorials to recitals and readings in every county across the country.

Delivered in partnership with the 31 Local Authorities and supported by RTÉ, all are invited to participate in this programme of fun, free, creative activities.