Full line up of free family events at Old Fort Quarter Festival in Laois

Family and children's entertainment has been one of the most successful aspects of Portlaoise's Old Fort Quarter Festival. 

The festival, which is now in its third year, will burst into life on Main Street Portlaoise on June 22, 23 and 24. 

Saturday and Sunday of the festival will be geared towards families, free events will run throughout the days alongside a food market and plenty on lively, local music. 

In an exciting addition this year, many free family activities have been added to the already brilliant line up with the addition of Cruinniú na nÓg which is a national day of creativity for children and young people.

Cruinniú na nÓg will be held on Saturday, June 23 all over the country and ties in perfectly with the Old Fort Quarter Festival which was already catering for family activities through heritage themed events.

The free events for all the family will be held at Fitzmaurice Place, Main Street and the Dunamaise Arts Centre. 

The huge lineup of free events includes painting and art workshops, cupcake decorating, shield making, henna art, hair braiding, dance, theatre, street performers, stilt walkers, circus skills workshop and much more!

The fun will continue on the Sunday with many of these activities entertaining children across both days from noon into the evening time.

Families will have a chance to fill up on delicious food at the Old Fort Food Market and listen to excellent music from Friday evening right through to Sunday night. 

There will be comedy upstairs in Kavanagh's on Saturday and Sunday from around 4pm and plenty of opportunities to learn about the history and heritage of Portlaoise through walking tours, talks and playful events. 

See full line up of Cruinniú na nÓg events below. These events are all funded by Creative Ireland as part of a nationwide day of events for children and teenagers, through the Arts Office of Laois County Council and co-ordinated by Arts Officer/School of Muisic/Music Generation Laois in conjunction with the Old Fort Quarter Festival.

The Old Fort Quarter Festival is sponsored by Rockshore Irish Lager and is supported by the Laois Partnership. Further details about the festival are available on the website: www.oldfortquarter.ie The Leinster Express is local media sponsor.

READ MORE: Cork band The Frank and Walters 'delighted' to return to Laois for Old Fort Quarter Festival.

Cruinniú na nÓg  in Portlaoise

A National Day of Creativity for Children and Young People        

Saturday 23 June - from 12- 7pm 

Free events for all the family

At Fitzmaurice Place Plaza, Portlaoise

Creative Fun Workshops

          Pendant Painting Workshops                  12-5pm

          Art Workshops                                           12-5pm

          Cup Cake Decorating                                 12-5pm

          Shield Making                                            12-5pm

          Henna Art                                                   12-5pm

          Hair Braiding                                              12-5pm

Music/Dance/Drama Performances

          Emer Dunne Dance Group                       1pm -1.15pm

          Laois Youth Theatre                                   1.30pm-1.45pm

          Youth Dance Ensemble                             2pm-2.30pm

          Intercultural Dance Groups                     2.45pm-3.30pm

          CCE Portlaoise Group                                3.45pm-4.30pm

Circus Skills Performance & Workshops

                Street Show                                                12-12.30 pm

          Stilt Walking                                              12.50-1.35pm

          Street Show                                                2pm-2.30pm  

          Circus Skills Workshops                          3pm-4pm

At Dunamaise Arts Centre

          Storytelling                                                 12-4pm

          Try-an-Instrument                                     12-1pm                        

          Drumming Circle                                        1pm-2pm

          Rap Workshop                                           4pm-6pm ages 13-18

On The Gig Rig – Main St

          Rapper performance                                7pm