The Creative Ireland Programme has met with great support and enthusiasm throughout the County of Cork and in particular Cruinniú na nÓg, which on Saturday June 15th 2019 saw 35 events taking place throughout the County. Many of these took place in the County’s Library buildings and a range of further events, both indoors and outdoors, were organised by local community groups and organisations.

The day was all about engaging with and encouraging young people to get involved in all things culture and creativity and events included the following: Book Doctors event in Kinsale, which saw the attendance of Cruinniú na nÓg Ambassador Sarah Fitzgerald; Clay workshops in Baile Bhuirne, Storytelling in Bandon, Carrigaline and Clonakilty, Felt Craft in Bantry and Skibbereen, Creative Dance in Carrigaline and Kinsale, Claymation animation workshops in Cobh and Midleton, Arts and Crafts workshop in Dunmanway, Traditional Music workshop in Newmarket, and a Drama workshop in Youghal. These events were organised by Cork County Council and saw the participation/attendance of 530 children. In addition to these a number of further events were organised by local groups and organisations with a keen interest in culture and creativity locally and Cork County Council was delighted to have been in a position to support these undertakings through the Creative Ireland Programme. Such events included traditional song and dance on Bere Island, Jewellery Making and Story Telling in Passage West, a Creativity session in Youghal as well as a cultural treasure hunt also in Youghal and a further one in Bandon. The West Cork Arts Centre organised a wonderful morning of Creative events and the total number of participants in these local community based organisations and group events was over 250, bringing the total number of attendees at County Cork Cruinniú 2019 events to close to 800. This represented a good growth on attendance figures for 2018 (600) where 25 events were held. The day was a great success and the County is already looking forward to Cruinniú 2020.