Mayor Launches Galway City Cruinniú na nÓg 2025 

20/05/2025

Mayor of Galway City, Councillor Peter Keane launched Cruinniú na nÓg 2025 on Tuesday 13 May with a presentation of poetry, art, and music at City Hall from young people involved in the Creative Youth Advisory Group. 

Taking place on Saturday, June 7 from 12-9pm at Fr. Burke Park, this celebration will host over 40 free events, workshops, and performances, celebrating creativity through music, art, circus, storytelling, and more. 

This year Cruinniú na nÓg promises an exciting and inclusive programme – from circus workshops, spoken word performances to sensory art. Highlights include: 

• ‘Pobal na Gaeltachta’, a programme of events through Irish including Ealaín Bheo le Cormac Ó Bréartúin, Scéalaoicht le Julie Anne de Brun, and a musical retelling of ‘An Táin’ with hÓga Yoga 

• Music Generation on the main stage, with a host of Galway City’s finest young musical artists, including St. Patrick’s School Band, Ukulele Queens, and The Afterwards. 

• Circus Picnic with Galway Community Circus 

• Drop-in drumming workshops with Drumadore 

• A host of creative workshops and exhibitions including African hair braiding, sensory art for toddlers, and comic book illustration 

The Galway City Night-Time Economy Initiative Youth Lates will transform Fr. Burke Park into a vibrant open-air concert. This promises to be the biggest Youth Lates yet, showcasing the incredible talent of young artists in Galway City. The event will feature a dynamic Live Music Stage headlined by the sensational Telebox, alongside an exciting lineup of bands including TaLLLon, Copacetic, Infernal Terror, Silk Road, and Patient Zero. Adding another layer of youthful creativity, the Spoken Word Tent will provide a platform for the powerful voices of young poets and storytellers, sharing their unique perspectives and talents. Don’t miss this fantastic opportunity to experience the vibrant energy and creativity of Galway’s young people as they take centre stage in Fr. Burke Park for Youth Lates! There will be sign-ups on the door for an Open Mic session. Youth Lates is suitable for ages (14-18). 

Albina Nedostup of Youth Lates performed for Mayor of Galway City Councillor Peter Keane. ((c) Boyd Challenger, 2025) 

Launching this year’s programme, the Mayor said: “By hosting Cruinniú na nÓg centrally in Fr. Burke Park this year, we hope to build on our strengths as a city renowned around the world for arts and culture, celebrating young people’s creativity and inspiring Galway’s next generation of festival goers and festival makers.” 

Cruinníú na nÓg Local Ambassador, Nessa O’Leary added: “To young people, if you want to be creative, don’t be afraid to try. Trying new things, new hobbies, new interests, can be one of the best outlets for your creativity.” 

Toilets and light refreshments will be provided on site at Fr. Burke Park. 

While limited seating will be available, families and young visitors are encouraged to bring picnic blankets or cushions to sit on the grass throughout the day. 

Visitors are encouraged to use public or sustainable transport on the day. Cycle parking is available at Fr. Burke Park. Public Transport is also available with the Number 7 Bus passing directly and bus and train connections available at Eyre Square, 15 minutes’ walk away from the park. There is no car parking at Fr. Burke Park. Information on car parks in Galway City can be found here. 

For full details visit https://cruinniu.gov.ie