Ireland

Half a million people attend Republic's first national day of creativity

Arts minister Heather Humphreys dancing with Taoiseach Enda Kenny at Cruinniú na Cásca. Picture from RTÉ
Arts minister Heather Humphreys dancing with Taoiseach Enda Kenny at Cruinniú na Cásca. Picture from RTÉ Arts minister Heather Humphreys dancing with Taoiseach Enda Kenny at Cruinniú na Cásca. Picture from RTÉ

HUNDREDS of music, dance, theatre and art workshops were held across the Republic yesterday as part of Cruinniú na Cásca, a new national day of creativity.

Held to celebrate Irish culture, more than half a million people took part in free events, including many in Dublin city.

Events in Dublin included talks about women in Irish society, screenings of Irish films, workshops on ceramics and felt-making and coding workshops for children.

The event came as the Republic celebrated the 101st anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising.

The huge public festival was presented by RTÉ in association with Creative Ireland.

Arts minister Heather Humphreys thanked everyone who took part yesterday.

"I would also like to extend my appreciation and thanks to all our partners across the country who helped make today such a huge success. This was truly a day when we came together to celebrate our creativity and the energy and diversity of Ireland today," she said.

RTÉ Director-General, Dee Forbes said, "We are delighted that the public has responded so positively to the first Cruinniú na Cásca".

She added: "It has certainly turned out to be the special and unique day we hoped it would be, in Dublin and right across the country".