Cruinniú na nÓg 2026

Garageland Galaxyz is thrilled to be back in Fingal for Cruinniú na nÓg 2026, bringing a tidal wave of youth-powered performances to this iconic venue! 

All Ireland Poetry Slam Champion Leon Dunne and award-winning poet David Hynes for spoken word poetry workshops in The Carnegie, Swords.

Join All Ireland Poetry Slam Champion Leon Dunne and award-winning poet David Hynes for spoken word poetry workshops in The Carnegie, Swords.

The Chapel venue within the castle grounds will be the setting for young poets to slam, rap, perform or read their work. 

This event takes place in Swords Castle as part of the We Own The Castle live teen music festival. Find us in the Creative Village! 

 

Join Street Art Ink in the Creative Zone at We Own the Castle live teen music festival and learn how to spray multiple layers using stencils to create your own artwork. 

 

: Join the Wizard of Creation, Aga Hutcheson, in the Creation Zone at We Own The Castle live teen music festival for this wonderful hands-on workshop where you’ll craft a stunning festival flower crown using a selection of sustainable materials provided. 

 

Craft your festival look in the Creative Zone at the We Own the Castle live in Swords  teen music festival with Romina from Facepainting Laois! 

We Own The Castle live teen music festival is an exciting, positive space for teens and their families, taking place in Swords Castle for Cruinniú na nÓg on Saturday, 6th June. 

Fun with Manga! Join artist John Carpenter for a fun Manga drawing session and update your drawing skills. What is Manga? Manga is a Japanese form of comic book or graphic novel art. All materials supplied - just bring your fun self. 

 

Get ready to unleash your child's creativity and STEM skills at our Lego Bricks Challenge Workshop. Children will have a blast building some amazing STEM concepts in the form of a working Lego model and learning those concepts while having fun. 

Join Erin Burke, a dynamic freelance makeup artist based in Balbriggan with a passion for turning everyday beauty into something extraordinary, for a fun makeup masterclass! With experience working with top names like Evoke.ie, Smooth Company Ireland, VIP Magazine, and countless brides, Erin has perfected the art of creating flawless looks that not only enhance natural beauty but make a statement. 

Little imaginations will soar at this lively Cruinniú na nÓg celebration where children can be transformed with facepainting into colourful fantasy creatures, brave superheroes or sparkling princesses, and enjoy delightful balloon creations that twist and twirl into fun surprises—an open, joy‑filled experience for all. 

Join Make It! for a colourful, creative session making friendship bracelets. Personalise your designs by choosing your favourite colours, adding charms, and even swapping creations with friends. You’ll also have the chance to make stylish key chains to accessorise your bag or keys. Make one or make loads — the choice is yours! 


 

Classical music is not just for concert halls! Join Bits and Bobs Orchestra in Skerries Library this Cruinniú na nÓg for a fun and relaxed introduction to the world of classical music. 

Fingal Additional Needs are hosting a sensory-friendly creative space in Skerries Library as part of Cruinniú na nÓg. Sessions are designed to be calm, welcoming, and child-led, giving children the chance to explore at their own pace in a supportive environment. 

Get creative with air dry clay in this fun, hands-on workshop in the Creative Zone where children will learn how to make their own pieces of art, from cute animals to mini keepsakes. Every child takes home their creations after the workshop! 

 

Join Kriti from Kriti Kreatz for her Stories in Clay workshop, where participants can experiment with shapes, textures, and patterns using coiling techniques while creating pieces inspired by their own creative stories. 

Description: Classical music is not just for concert halls! Join Bits and Bobs Orchestra on the alter at Rush Library this Cruinniú na nÓg for a fun and relaxed introduction to the world of classical music.

Street Art Ink are bringing their graffiti spray workshops to you, where you will learn how to spray multiple layers using stencils to create your own artwork.

Fingal Additional Needs are hosting a sensory-friendly creative space in Skerries Library as part of Cruinniú na nÓg. Sessions are designed to be calm, welcoming, and child-led, giving children the chance to explore at their own pace in a supportive environment. 

Get creative with air dry clay in this fun, hands-on workshop in the Creative Zone where children will learn how to make their own pieces of art, from cute animals to mini keepsakes. Every child takes home their creations after the workshop! 

 

Join Messy Adventures for Cruinniú na nÓg to make your very own slime! Each child will experiment with different colours, textures, ingredients and even scents.

Fun with Manga! Join artist John Carpenter for a fun Manga drawing session and update your drawing skills. What is Manga? Manga is a Japanese form of comic book or graphic novel art. All materials supplied - just bring your fun self. 
 

Shadow Puppet Workshops and Performance with The Flight of Fancy Shadows - Workshop 2
Description: The Flight of Fancy Shadows are a shadow‑puppetry troupe based in Dublin who love bringing Irish folktales to life through the magic of shadow play. 

Join us in the outdoor covered courtyard of The Seamus Ennis Arts Centre for a hands-on bodhrán‑making workshop facilitated by Cliste. 

In this two‑hour workshop, the facilitators will guide participants in creating their own puppets and exploring the importance of movement, storytelling, and voice.The stories shared will be inspired by local tales from the Dúchas archive.

Come along and join the fun with Karen Donnellan from Musical Tots, bringing her musical songs and stories to Howth Library this Cruinniú na nÓg! Musical Tots uses nursery rhymes & story songs to develop language, learning, coordination and social skills while having great fun. 

Making slime is fun as well as an educational science experiment. 

Design Your Own Superhero: Storytelling & Illustration Event with Alan Nolan in Garristown Library.

Join us in Donabate Library for a family céilí with Mairéad McKnight in Donabate Library as part of our Cruinniú na nÓg celebrations. This event will feature live traditional Irish music, dancing, and fun for the whole family. 

 

A Sensory Experience for All the Family with Make It! 
Description: Get hands-on and creative with Make It! in this fun, sensory-friendly workshop for all the family. Silk Clay is a soft, squishy, no‑mess material that’s a joy to squeeze, shape and explore—perfect for makers of all ages and abilities. 

Would you like to race some robots? How about playing an ancient game with a modern twist? Ever wondered how a laser cutter works? Can you really 3D print lego bricks? 

Step into a world of imagination with author, artist and awardwinning illustrator Tarsila Krüse in this hands-on, two-hour Mask Making Workshop designed for 8–10 year olds! Discover the magic of transforming everyday materials - like paper plates, envelopes, construction and wrapping paper - into expressive, one-of-a-kind masks. Guided by Tarsila, you’ll create decorative collages and explore how colours, shapes, and textures can bring your wildest ideas to life. 

Get ready for pops of colour, big smiles and a little bit of balloon magic! Join the fantastic Balloon Modellers from Brilliant Events as they twist, turn and transform simple balloons into amazing creatures, characters and creations before your eyes.

Polka Tots is a fun-filled movement and song-based programme featuring rhyme, singing and vocal play, object exploration, instruments, props and creative movement. Carers will be encouraged to sing and move with their child, so that both child and parent get the most out of the class. 

 

This Art Marathon is inspired by Niamh’s picture book Penguin TV (Gill Books) where the penguins take over the webcam at Dublin Zoo and put on their own show! Come along and let Niamh and Aoibhe inspire you to create your very own penguin by printmaking with rollers, dippers, fingerpaint, real feather brushes, twigs, sticks and much, much more!

Create and play in our Creative Response Space Join artists Sarah Ward and Michelle Hall for this workshop using a variety of colourful and tactile materials. 

Join us for a free, fun-filled week long movement project inspired by the colourful scribbles, shapes and playful energy of Lucy Hill’s summer exhibition Colourings. 

We will work together in this hands-on workshop alongside a professional artist to create an outdoor wall mural. 

Join Úna for a magical workshop where she’ll introduce you to the enchanting world of Ellora McGee Trainee Banshee. Discover Ellora’s world and learn how to draw Ellora and her friends.