RTÉ This is Art! Goes LIVE on Cruinniú na nÓg with free Art Classes across the island of Ireland
Legendary Irish artist Don Conroy kicks off the fun with his class in Dublin
On Saturday, June 6th 2026, four art classes will take place in Dublin, Galway, Cork, and Belfast as part of RTÉ This is Art!, Ireland’s largest all island art competition, open to young people 0-18yrs supported by Creative Ireland and the Shared Island Initiative. Each class will take a unique approach to creativity from mixed media to drawing to painting, taking place amidst an exhibition of RTÉ This is Art! entries from the locality. Eight amazing artists are lined up to lead the sessions – a mix of established, well-known artists alongside some of Ireland’s most exciting emerging young artists from RTÉ This is Art!
The art classes add to the already exciting line up of +1300 events taking place on Cruinniú na nÓg, the world’s only national day of free creativity for children and young people, a standout moment for creativity in the Irish calendar.
About RTÉ This is Art! LIVE on Cruinniú na nÓg
The four events will take place as follows:
● Dublin: RTÉ This is Art! LIVE with Don Conroy on Cruinniú na nÓg. The beloved Irish artist, environmentalist, television personality, and children’s author Don will host a free Wildlife Drawing class, Draw for fun with Don Conroy – a perfect fit with RTÉ This Is Art!’s most recent theme, nature. Don will be assisted by RTÉ This is Art! First place winner in the 16-18yrs category, Evan Shanahan from Dublin. Location: The class will take place at the Lexicon, Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin at 12pm on Saturday June 6th. Places are free but tickets are limited, reserve yours now on: Free to book if Josh interested: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/rte-this-is-art-live-with-don-conroy-tickets-1990469253118?aff=oddtdtcreator
● Galway: RTÉ This is Art! LIVE with Emer MacDermott on Cruinniú na nÓg. Emer is an expert portrait artist and dedicated art educator who specialises in high-energy children’s art camps. She will host a Wildlife Watercolour & Printing class combining print tracing and painting. Location: The class will take place in Club Áras na nGael, Galway City at 2.30pm on Saturday June 6th. Places are free but tickets are limited, reserve yours now on: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/rte-this-is-art-live-with-emer-macdermott-tickets-1990481754510?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true
● Cork: RTÉ This is Art! LIVE with Maeve O’Keeffeon Cruinniú na nÓg. Maeve is a dynamic cartoonist known for bringing stories and characters to life through engaging visual storytelling. She will host a Comic Book Workshop centering around a family’s adventure in space! Location: The class will take place in the MTU Crawford College of Art and Design at 2.30pm on Saturday June 6th. Places are free but tickets are limited, reserve yours now on: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/rte-this-is-art-live-with-maeve-okeeffe-tickets-1990482211878?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true.
● Antrim: RTÉ This is Art! LIVE withAnushiya Sundaralingam, on Cruinniú na nÓg. Anushiya is a multimedia artist whose practice spans printmaking, painting, sculpture, textiles, and installation, using layered materials. She will host a Mixed Media Decoupage & Collage class. Anushiya will be assisted by RTÉ This is Art! Second place winner Judith Sherry from Antrim. Location: The class will take place in the Ulster Museum at 12pm on Saturday June 6th. Places are free but tickets are limited, reserve yours now on: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/rte-this-is-art-live-with-anushiya-sundaralingam-tickets-1990491495646?aff=oddtdt
Speaking about RTÉ This is Art! LIVE on Cruinniú na nÓg:
“Creativity is in the doing, the action. Children are best placed to unleash their creativity without overthinking it and it’s one of the most joyful things we can do. Especially today – we’re living in such a technological age, we’re less connected to the joy of putting pencil or paint to paper. I am absolutely thrilled to be part of RTÉ This Is Art! LIVE on Cruinniú na nÓg, it’s an incredible initiative. Every child has an amazing imagination inside them and Cruinniú na nÓg is the perfect stage for them to let that creativity flow, find their voice, and show the world what they can do. So book into one of the art classes available and if there isn’t one in your area, or art isn’t your thing visitcruinniu.gov.ie and book one of the other +1300 events available.” Artist & Writer, Don Conroy.
“Every year I look forward to Cruinniú na nÓg. It has become such an important day in Ireland’s creative calendar for children and young people. It gives everyone who takes part the chance to try things out, express themselves and feel connected to creativity happening right across the country. RTÉ This is Art! grew out of that same spirit, so it’s important for us to continue being part of the day and provide opportunities for young people to get stuck in, get their hands dirty and have fun! We’re always excited to see the imagination, confidence and originality that comes from Cruinniú na nÓg each year so get involved at an event near you and get creating!” RTÉ’s Suzanne Kelly, Head of Children’s and Young People’s Content.
“I’m so excited that I get to be an art teacher for a day! I love art and was so happy that my entry to RTÉ This Is Art! Was a winner. I can’t wait to make more art with other kids on Cruinniú na nÓg. It’s going to be fun – let’s go!” Young artist and RTÉ This Is Art! Winner Evan Shanahan
RTÉ This is Art! LIVE events are free to join, but spaces are limited and will fill up fast. Book your free place today.
