Expect to see young people’s ideas, samples of their creative work and information on the local volunteer led youth clubs across the Gaeltacht and the Islands. Part of this exhibition will be a call to action for further volunteers to get involved in their local Muintearas youth clubs and to support young people to access creative opportunities for children and young people, no matter where they are in rural Gaeltacht and Irish speaking Island areas. Ideas and content for the Clár Cruthaitheachta do Chlubanna Óige are based on the voices of young people with support from local youth club volunteers and parents, and the new Comhordaitheoir Óige, Rebecca Nic Dhonnacha from Muintearas Teo and GRETB Local creative Youth Partnership Coordinator Jen Hesnan. 

CEO David Leahy from the GRETB who laucnhed this exhibition stated…

“This initiative is so important and highlights the often-unseen vital role of local volunteers across Connemara and the Aran Islands. It provides us a moment to pause and celebrate the opportunities that are provided for children and young people living in Connemara and on the Islands to develop their creativity through Irish, to make friends, and to be inspired with positive peer support from adults, artists and creatives after school in Clubanna Óige with Muintearas Teo. We are particularly delighted to work with a wider network of stakeholders on this project, such as Creative Communities in Galway County Council and Ealaín na Gaeltachta, who are investing further in creative opportunities for young people in the Gaeltacht and on the Islands.  This partnership approach to developing as many creative opportunities as possible for children and young people, is led by the work of our GRETB Local Creative Youth Partnership Coordinator supported by Creative Ireland and the Department of Education. Its ensures that children and young people seldom heard have a voice, and that we are working towards ensuring Article 31 of the United Nations Rights of the Child is upheld, to respect and promote the right of the child to participate fully in cultural and artistic life and shall encourage the provision of appropriate and equal opportunities for cultural, artistic, recreational and leisure activity.” 

Elaine Scahill stated… 

“We are very proud to be partnered with the GRETB in this celebration of youth creativity in the Gaeltacht. At the heart of this project is the belief that every young person in the Gaeltacht and the Islands deserves the opportunity to explore and express their creativity. Through the support of volunteers, artists, and local communities, we are creating spaces where children and young people can not only develop their talents and form lasting connections, they can also engage their voice through creativity in a meaningful way.  This initiative represents the power of collaboration, and we are grateful to the GRETB and the Local Creative Youth Partnership, as well as the wider partners, Áras Éanna, Ealaín na Gaeltachta, the youth club volunteers and committees, the local language planning officers for their support and enthusiasm. We hope that these opportunities continue to grow and reach even more young people across the region.”

This project aims to create new sustainable opportunities for children and young people to develop their creativity and to make friends, whether it’s through music, lego, cooking, dance, drama, crafts, currach building, or any other ideas they may have as young creative minds.

 A core part of the work is to develop a local creative youth partnership network for the Gaeltacht with potential further funding and support opportunities to foster the development of “Clár Cruthaitheachta do Chlubanna Óige”. Current members of this network consist of Creative Communities Engagement Officer from Galway County Council, Local Language Planning Officers, Ealaín na Gaeltachta, Muintearas Teo, Aras Éanna, and GRETB Youth Officers. 

We want to work together to elevate the creative youth voices of Children and Young People across the Gaeltacht.