Make Inishowen
Children’s Arts Festival
14.04.25
SPRAOI agus Spórt invites
you to the Make Inishowen Children’s Arts Festival in
Carndonagh on Tuesday 22nd and Wednesday 23rd April
2025.
The festival features a two-day exhibition alongside
workshops designed for children.
As part of the festival’s outreach, pupils from
Tiernasligo and Urbalreagh National Schools were asked
to collect stories from older people in their
communities. |
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Catherine McLaughlin and
Lauren Doherty planning their textile artwork, with
Artist Bernie Murphy. |
Artists John D. Ruddy,
Sinead Smyth, Bernie Murphy, Roisin Harrigan and Clodagh
Warnock have guided the children in turning these
stories into artwork. Their work, created during this
outreach project, will be shown in the exhibition.
The festival takes inspiration from the Dúchas Schools
Collection, preserved by the National Folklore
Collection. This archive was compiled by schoolchildren
across Ireland in the 1930, including pupils from
Tiernasligo and Urbalreagh at the time.
Make Inishowen gives today’s children a way to connect
with their heritage through painting, textiles, music
and animation. |
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Annie Mae Harkin and OIlie
McColgan during the audio recording sessions in March
2025. |
“It’s been a pleasure
seeing this come together,” said Project Manager Deirdre
McGrory. “The children have really engaged with the
stories and brought them to life. Working with the
artists has made a big difference. They’re excited to
show their work to the public.”
Could your school do something similar? Visit the Dúchas
Collection online, your school might be there. Ask a
grandparent or neighbour about their childhood. Could
you paint a scene, write a poem, or turn a rhyme into a
song?
The exhibition is at Carndonagh Library on 22nd April
from 11am to 5:30pm and 23rd April from 9:30am to 5:30pm
and is open to everyone.
To explore the workshops and book your place, visit
www.spraoiagussport.ie . All events are free. |
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