LIMERICK TD and Minister Patrick O’Donovan launched Cruinniú na nÓg 2026, Ireland’s National Day of Creativity for children and young people.
This year, Cruinniú na nÓg will take place on June 6 and see over 1,300 free events across the island, celebrating creativity through music, art, circus, storytelling, film, and more.
Ireland is the only country in the world to have a national day celebrating young people’s creativity. Creative Ireland invites young people to unleash their creative spark and be part of this unique celebration of expression.
Highlights include the Circus Céilí , featuing six events as part of Circus Explored, hosted by Irish Street Arts, Circus, and Spectacle Network, bringing young people and families together to celebrate circus through workshops, performances, and creative collaborations.
The Walls Project will see workshops in 13 locations offer young people the opportunity to work with professional mural artists, exploring colour, design, and graffiti techniques.
For Youth Theatre Ireland Gatherings, 21 youth theatre groups will unite in five regional hubs to celebrate their creativity as part of the Youth Theatre Ireland project.
Minister O’Donovan said: ‘Cruinniú na nÓg continues to be a standout moment in Ireland’s creative calendar, celebrating young people as creators, performers, and creative voices. This year’s programme includes the return of Cruinniú Late, which offers dedicated youth-led spaces for teenagers to gather, create and express themselves in a safe environment created by and for young people.”
RTÉ is supporting Cruinniú na nÓg with a nationwide campaign on television, radio, online and digital. Full details on cruinniu.gov.ie.