2020 - Donegal

The national day of creativity for children and young people, Cruinniú na nÓg takes place on Saturday 13 June 2020. This year it's a little different!

Rather than putting on physical events for children and young people in their own locality here in Donegal, it has moved entirely online. There's lots of opportunities for children to get involved. Whether it's by tuning into RTÉ on the day, participating in one of our online classes or doing you're own thing.

You can be as creative about creativity as you like!

A Call Out to Participate!

We're currently seeking young people to participate in a number of ways in advance of the big day. We're seeking singers, dancers, musicians and messages. 
Park your pop-up tent in the sitting room and enjoy a festival experience like never before on June 13th. The Regional Cultural Centre, Letterkenny are putting on a great line up. They are also seeking submissions from young people to nominate solo music or dance acts (or groups isolating together) to feature in it. If you want to record a short video message to friends, send them in and some will feature in the interval.
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Find out how to get involved now

Online Events on June 13th

Break it down! Songwriting Workshop

​​Date: 13th June
Time: 1pm – 2pm                             Age: 8-12yrs
Time: 4pm – 5pm                             Age:13-18years

​Join Bernie Doherty from Music Box Ireland for an introduction to song writing. 
This is something everyone can try, no instrument needed - just a willingness to believe in yourself, give it a try and use your imagination!  Using a step by step method and breaking down the elements of songwriting (where song ideas come from, song structure etc), Bernie will show you how to get started writing and how to keep it light and achievable. 

The Write Stuff! Creative Writing Class

​Date: 13th June
Time: 11.30am – 1pm                      Age:6-9yrs
Time: 2pm – 3.30pm                        Age:10+years
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​Flex your grey matter in an online creative writing class with Grainne McCool from the Write Stuff. This class will incorporate nature and will include elements of reading, drawing and writing, which ever your child feels most comfortable with. Grainne, is an experienced facilitator who places a strong emphasis on self expression, enabling children to feel comfortable and empowered during the process.
FULLY BOOKED

Wild Strands presents “Gathering of the Force”

​Date: 13th June
Time: 8am                           Age:All
In the far-flung depths of the Galaxy in the forgotten ancient mystical land of Inishowen, fear has grown and darkness has descended among the people of the Republic a yet a force has been awakened. From the most northern part of Ireland a gathering of the Force has begun… Join us for the premier of this short film showcasing the resilience of Young People which incorporates Young People from Malin Head, Inishowen; Tai Chi Qigong; Ireland’s most northerly point and a Film location for Star Wars.
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DETAILS ON WHERE TO WATCH WILL BE AVAILABLE SOON

Scratch – Create your own chase game

Date: 13th June
Time: 10am – 11am                         Age:8-12yrs
Time: 12pm – 1pm                           Age: 8-12yrs
Time: 2pm – 3pm                              Age: 8-12yrs

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Welcome to the world of Scratch! A block-based visual programming language developed by MIT Media Lab. This beginner’s online coding workshop will teach you how to program like a Superhero from the comfort of your home. You will learn how to create simple games to share with your friends and family.
 
This class is facilitated by experienced coder Kathleen Gallagher who has worked in schools across Donegal and beyond. All that is required is a computer device, an internet connection and your imagination. No experience is required.

Breaking News

Date: 13th June
Time: 10am – 5pm                           Age: 10-16
Become a broadcaster for the day! Through the use of the newsroom setting, participants will explore their environment and present the world, as they know it, through their unique perspective.  With the view that most young people use apps like TikTok and Snapchat to communicate, this project will show more sophisticated processes of technologies that are used in a professional setting. The project aims to develop critical thinking practices, empowerment of voice, self-confidence, team work and social well-being using a frame-work of themes such as cyber-bullying, climate change, social media dependency and mental health issues through the lens of how their worlds have changed.
The day will be broken into two sessions which last approx 1hr 15mins each:
  • Session 1: Role allocation, breakout sessions to set out news stories and practice interviewing, capture footage.
  • Session 2: Rejoin the session for the compositing process, where backdrops are removed, graphics are selected, ticker created and music added. Participants will have the opportunity to see a preview of their finished segment on the day.
This event is brought to you by Pobail le Chéile Community Development Project and facilitated by John Antony Gallagher and Mel Bradly.

Alone Together Festival

​Date: 13th June
Time: 7pm – 8.30pm                        Age: All ages

​​Park your pop-up tent in the sitting room and enjoy a festival experience like never before. The Regional Cultural Centre, Letterkenny are putting on a great line up. You’ll not have to worry about what to wear to this one. Join us on the 13th June as a spectator or get in touch to get in on the action!

More details on where to watch coming soon!

Recipes For Disaster

​Date: 13th June
Time: All day                    Age: All ages
​What can I make when I have nothing in the cupboard and there’s a wee pandemic outside? ‘Storecupboard cooking’ has risen in popularity in some parts of the world and involves making recipes that include those ingredients that have a habit of living unloved at the back of the cupboard.
An online publication documenting family fun and home cooking during a pandemic!
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Details on where to see the masterpieces coming soon!

A Flavour of National Cruinniú na nÓg Events 

Céilí in the Kitchen
​​Date: 13th June
Time: All Day                     Age: All ages
On the 13th of June you won’t have to leave the house to join a Céilí, you can have one right there in your own home.  All you have to do is push back the kitchen table, put the chairs against the wall and you’re good to go.

Creative Ireland with the help of choreographer Edwina Guckian, singer Cathy Jordan, musician Thomas Johnston and storyteller Mikel Murfi are putting together weekly video workshops from May 18th that will make sure you have all you need for a great night of traditional music, song, dance and storytelling.
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More info available here
​Let's Go Fly A Kite!
​​​Date: 13th June
Time: All Day                     Age: All ages
Have you ever made a kite? It’s great fun and really easy. And it’s something you can do in your garden or in the park, while keeping your distance from others. In fact the whole point of kite flying is not to get too close as kite strings can get into a terrible muddle.
Design & Crafts Council Ireland have joined forces with Creative Ireland to design a kite that anyone can make at home. All you need is some sticks, some newspaper, some string and a whole lot of imagination. Why not decorate in your favourite colours, or with pictures of your heroes ? 

Tutorials and more info available here
Create a Video Game
​​​Date: 13th June 
Time: All Day                     Age: All ages​
If you could click your fingers and create a video game app, what type of game would it be? A racing game or a coin collector? A target game or a platform? The choice is endless! Well time to decide because to celebrate Cruinniú na nÓg, Whizzkids.io will be showing the children an young people of Ireland how to make the most popular games using their ground breaking Digital Skills Virtual Classroom.

The best games created by the children and young people of Ireland will be showcased on RTE. No prior skills required, just bring your creativity and in no time you will coding and designing like a pro!

Full details available here 
​Last update 29th May 2020
INFORMATION FOR PARENTS AND GUARDIANS
If you have any concerns please contact ksheehy@donegalcoco.ie
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Make the most of your day out and stop at a playground en-route ...