Day long celebration of arts for children

CREATIVITY Johnston Central Library boasts full day of fun events

This year’s Cruinniú na nÓg is set to be the best yet in County Cavan with a dozen live events organised for Saturday, June 10. Oh, and it’s all for free!

Kids and young people of all ages are catered for in the 2023 programme as organisers locally have upped the offerings in Cavan Town especially. Johnston Central Library serves as the focal point for the county with events commencing at 10am and running into the afternoon. Music, dance, visual art, drama, literature, poetry, juggling, and comedy all feature in the lively programme that should serve to engage and inspire children in equal measure.

The Cruinniú na nÓg fun starts with a bang as Ronaldo Fanzini, The King Of Mayhem performs at the library. Fresh from his delightful performances at Cavan Arts Festival, Mr. Fanzini promises to entertain the whole family with a mix of juggling, devilment, and riding the teeniest tiniest bicycle. (Yes, that small.) This show guarantees to put you in a good mood for the rest of the day.

And this Saturday could be the first day of a life-long passion for playing a musical instrument. Music Generation will be on hand with a range of instruments and professional music educators to guide you. These casual workshops will give children an opportunity to watch demonstrations, try a few instruments, and learn simple tunes and rhythms. Suitable for all ages, it runs from 10-11am.

Having given the taster course, the talented Music Generation gang then showcase what years of practice and performance can achieve as they bring their exciting Music on Wheels Show to the Johnston Central Library. The show will feature music educators, local musicians, and up-and-coming young artists from Cavan and Monaghan from 11.30am-1pm.

‘Beyond the Emoji’ is an exhibition of the work of pupils from Scoil Naomh Patrick Blacklion and Curravagh, Glangevlin. Arts facilitators Bee Smith and Morag Donald worked with children aged from 9-12 to create poems and art. The library will host an exhibition of the impressive body of work they produced.

Come for the music and art, stay for the dancing as Drop Everything and Dance takes place. The perfomance will highlight the wonderful talent of budding dancers aged 9+ who have been involved in an all-abilities dance project under the expert guidance of Mary Farrelly. Scheduled for 2-3.30pm it promises to be a highly energetic performance.

Anyone who caught Steve McGinley’s (pictured right) hugely enjoyable bilingual juggling act at last September’s Culture night under the huge chestnut trees at Johnston Central Library will be delighted to hear he’s returning to the very same venue again this Saturday. Head along for one of two Mo Cheol an Sorcas performances 1-1.30pm and 1.30-2pm and let juggler Steve charm both you and your children with his captivating juggling show.

Beidh sé ar fheabhas!

From 2-3.30pm join Nicole Beck and be mesmerised by her amazing hula hooping skills. She will demonstrate how to hula hoop and will lend anyone a hula hoop if you are willing to give it a try!

Nicole says: ‘I hoop because it brings me inner peace. It’s a fun way to exercise, dance and express creativity with yourself and with others. Come hoop with me!’.

No booking is required, just call in on the day. Suitable for all ages.

Please note that filming/photography is taking place at this and other Criunniú na nÓg events for promotional and archival purposes. If you would prefer not to be photographed, please let the photographer know.