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About the festival:
Wainfest is an annual week-long, countywide arts and book festival dedicated to children across Donegal. In 2023 we celebrated our 27th year of the festival between the 7th and the 15th October. The term "Wain" is a local affectionate word used when talking about a small child (wee one). And we think it's a great fit for our festival that caters just for them! |
Since its inception in 1996 the festival has grown from strength to strength and is one of the highlights in the Donegal County Council's calendar of events. Wainfest plays a pivotal role for schools and home schoolers in the area allowing them to access the very best in children's performances. Traditionally all these events would turn libraries and cultural venues into vibrant spaces with lots of laughter and learning. Check out our previous brochures to see what we're about.
The Culture Division Team at Donegal County Council have been organizing Wainfest events for many years and it is a central focus of our annual programming calendar. It’s so important that it is a major element our literacy programme, Right to Read.
Right to Read is a national programme that brings together local authorities and local bodies involved in supporting literacy and reading development so that a coordinated approach is taken to provide these services in the community. Right to Read supports literacy development for individuals, families, and children. Research has shown that reading for fun is just as important to a child’s reading development as reading for learning.
As well as helping to develop children’s literacy skills, Wainfest is also a time when extraordinary creative experiences are brought to curious young minds across the County. The festival sets out to explore and open exciting spaces between literature, theatre, puppetry, art, storytelling, technology, nature and science. It’s a space for children to enjoy time together, with their schools and families as they explore all the festival as to offer. It’s an opportunity to put children first at the doors of libraries, museums, cinemas, theatres and other venues for children to explore and play.
Right to Read is a national programme that brings together local authorities and local bodies involved in supporting literacy and reading development so that a coordinated approach is taken to provide these services in the community. Right to Read supports literacy development for individuals, families, and children. Research has shown that reading for fun is just as important to a child’s reading development as reading for learning.
As well as helping to develop children’s literacy skills, Wainfest is also a time when extraordinary creative experiences are brought to curious young minds across the County. The festival sets out to explore and open exciting spaces between literature, theatre, puppetry, art, storytelling, technology, nature and science. It’s a space for children to enjoy time together, with their schools and families as they explore all the festival as to offer. It’s an opportunity to put children first at the doors of libraries, museums, cinemas, theatres and other venues for children to explore and play.
Who we are:
Wainfest is organised by Donegal County Council’s Culture Division, which comprises five distinct but related services; Library Service, Arts Service, Regional Cultural Centre, Museum Service and Archives and Heritage Service. Cultúr le Chéile: Strategic Plan for Culture Division 2022 – 2026 sets out a clear vision which commits to cultural development over the coming five years and seeks to preserve and promote culture, language, arts, libraries and heritage in County Donegal.
Donegal County Council believes that promoting and supporting arts, culture, heritage and language is good for our society, our economy and our national identity both at home and abroad. This has always been and always will be one of our enduring strengths. Our culture helps to create a deepened sense of place, citizenship and pride of place in all sections of our society. Wainfest is at the core of this and is one of the ways in which we reach out to our youngest citizens.
Underpinning the festival are these core values:
Opportunity:
We endeavour to provide opportunities for children in Donegal to participate in and access high quality cultural events in their locality.
Inclusivity:
We recognise the diversity of our culture and embrace the rich and diverse culture of new communities.
Inspiring:
We endeavour to ensure that each child’s experience is inspiring and deeply engaging.
Quality:
We commit to high quality cultural activities that will give children the opportunity to enjoy cultural and creative experience.
Supportive:
We endeavour to support educators, parents and families in promoting the benefits of creativity, reading and literacy development.
Wainfest is organised by Donegal County Council’s Culture Division, which comprises five distinct but related services; Library Service, Arts Service, Regional Cultural Centre, Museum Service and Archives and Heritage Service. Cultúr le Chéile: Strategic Plan for Culture Division 2022 – 2026 sets out a clear vision which commits to cultural development over the coming five years and seeks to preserve and promote culture, language, arts, libraries and heritage in County Donegal.
Donegal County Council believes that promoting and supporting arts, culture, heritage and language is good for our society, our economy and our national identity both at home and abroad. This has always been and always will be one of our enduring strengths. Our culture helps to create a deepened sense of place, citizenship and pride of place in all sections of our society. Wainfest is at the core of this and is one of the ways in which we reach out to our youngest citizens.
Underpinning the festival are these core values:
Opportunity:
We endeavour to provide opportunities for children in Donegal to participate in and access high quality cultural events in their locality.
Inclusivity:
We recognise the diversity of our culture and embrace the rich and diverse culture of new communities.
Inspiring:
We endeavour to ensure that each child’s experience is inspiring and deeply engaging.
Quality:
We commit to high quality cultural activities that will give children the opportunity to enjoy cultural and creative experience.
Supportive:
We endeavour to support educators, parents and families in promoting the benefits of creativity, reading and literacy development.
What people say about Wainfest!
"Pupils and teachers had a ball. What a fun way of learning. Children were totally absorbed, brilliant organisation and time flew" Teachers response after the Digital Design Workshop.
“Events like this are a really great experience for children. Bringing books to life – lots more please and thank you for a lovely performance” Teacher attending a Wainfest performance.
“Very very good and very funny indeed” Child's response from an evaluation form after meeting author Gerard Whelan.
“How the kids could interact with the story telling. Brilliant” School attending a storytelling event.
“This was a fantastic morning. The children were fully engaged and the organisers were very friendly and helpful” Teacher attending an art-based event.
“Very relevant to the History curriculum.” Teacher attending an Irish History Live 1916.
“Brilliant entertainment. Really pleased we stumbled upon it.” Holiday maker visiting Letterkenny attending Revolting Rhymes.
“Watching my son get hands on with a project and knowing that he was enjoying and learning” Parent attending Everyday Engineering workshop telling us about their highlight.
"Pupils and teachers had a ball. What a fun way of learning. Children were totally absorbed, brilliant organisation and time flew" Teachers response after the Digital Design Workshop.
“Events like this are a really great experience for children. Bringing books to life – lots more please and thank you for a lovely performance” Teacher attending a Wainfest performance.
“Very very good and very funny indeed” Child's response from an evaluation form after meeting author Gerard Whelan.
“How the kids could interact with the story telling. Brilliant” School attending a storytelling event.
“This was a fantastic morning. The children were fully engaged and the organisers were very friendly and helpful” Teacher attending an art-based event.
“Very relevant to the History curriculum.” Teacher attending an Irish History Live 1916.
“Brilliant entertainment. Really pleased we stumbled upon it.” Holiday maker visiting Letterkenny attending Revolting Rhymes.
“Watching my son get hands on with a project and knowing that he was enjoying and learning” Parent attending Everyday Engineering workshop telling us about their highlight.
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Wainfest 2022
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Wainfest 2021
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Wainfest 2020
Wainfest 2019 Gallery
Wainfest 2018 Gallery
