15.06.2024, 10:00 A.M.
Children's Craft Workshops: Cruinniú na nÓg 2024
These Cruinniú na nÓg children’s craft workshop are delivered by the Irish Georgian Society in partnership with Offaly County Council and with funding from Creative Ireland. The children’s workshop forms part of the Offaly’s Heritage Buildings Show: a weekend of traditional building skills demonstrations, conservation talks and children’s workshops, which will take place from 10am until 5pm at the Birr Theatre on Oxmanstown Mall on both Saturday 15th & Sunday 16th June. For more information on this free community event please visit the Irish Georgian Society’s website's events page.
WORKSHOP 1: 'CREATE & CARVE’, 10AM
Make your mark in stone with sculptor and master mason, Philip Quinn of Stonemad. Learn about the different types of stone (granite, Portland, limestone) that are used to build and adorn Offaly’s heritage buildings. In this workshop children will have the opportunity to inscribe their initials in stone using traditional methods and materials and bring their finished piece home with them.
Age range: 8 to 18 years
Address: John’s Hall, John’s Mall, Birr, Co. Offaly, R42 Y927
WORKSHOP 2: 'PATTERN & PRINT’ 11AM
Wallpaper maker David Skinner will introduce the children to some of the techniques traditionally used to make hand-printed wallpaper, including block printing, stencilling and roller printing. We will have fun learning how to make repeat patterns, and participants will take home pieces of hand-printed (and foot-printed!) paper which they have made. We will be using environmentally-friendly, non-toxic paint. Large t-shirts will be provided for protecting clothing, but please do not come in your very best clothes as paint does not always wash out.
Age range: 6 to 12 years
Address: John’s Hall, John’s Mall, Birr, Co. Offaly, R42 Y927
WORKSHOP 3: 'FASHION A FANLIGHT’, 12 NOON
Join fanlight and stained-glass maker and conservator Liam McCorkell of Glasshaus Studios as he sets out the tools and techniques employed in fashioning the fanlights of Birr’s front doors. Using art and craft materials (not real glass and lead) each child will design their own miniature fanlight to bring home. (6 to 12 years)
Age range: 6 to 12 years
Address: Wilmer Rd, Townparks, Birr, Co. Offaly
(12 NOON) *PLEASE NOTE THAT WORKSHOP 3 IS TAKING PLACE IN THE BIRR LIBRARY & NEEDS TO BE BOOKED DIRECTLY WITH THE LIBRARY BY EMAILING birrlibrary@offalycoco.ie or RINGING 057 9124950.
WORKSHOP 4: 'GOLD & GILD’, 2PM
Historic interiors and decorative surfaces conservator, Ruth Bothwell of Decowell Restoration will ask children to look at and consider decorative treatments using stencilling and gilding. Some of these decorations were used within Georgian buildings and their antique furnishings. Ruth will then guide young hands to decorate small panels by applying stencils and gold metal leaf. Each child can embellish their own panel to take home. (6 to 12 years).
Age range: 6 to 12 years
Address: John’s Hall, John’s Mall, Birr, Co. Offaly, R42 Y927
WORKSHOP 5: ‘BUILD & BRICK’, 3PM
Join master craftspersons from Nolans Group Conservation & Restoration to make your own brick. Using traditional techniques each child will make and model their own miniature brick which they can initial and take home with them (unfired). Old clothes advised as children will be working with wet clay.
Age range: 8 to 18 years
Address: John’s Hall, John’s Mall, Birr, Co. Offaly, R42 Y927
WORKSHOP 6: ‘LIME & LEARN’, 4PM
Join Edward Byrne of the Traditional Lime Company, use a trowel and hawk and learn about the unique properties of lime and why it is best for old buildings, and discover its many uses in the construction of the Georgian buildings of Birr, as well as the many vernacular buildings throughout County Offaly. Enjoy the opportunity to mix lime and wet dash a wall, the traditional way.
Age range: 12 to 18 years
Address: John’s Hall, John’s Mall, Birr, Co. Offaly, R42 Y927
Booking information:
- Please book through Eventbrite.
- No booking fee applies.
- We anticipate the workshops booking up so should you book for your child, but they are subsequently unable to attend we would be grateful if you could advise by emailing the workshop cordinator Emmeline.henderson@igs.ie so we can reassign the place to another child.
- In the event of the workshop being booked up on Eventbrite please email workshop co-ordinator emmeline.henderson@igs.ie and she will add your child to the waiting list.
- Please arrive 10 minutes prior to workshop start time.
- Please wear old clothes.
- Please be advised that children’s parents/guardians must remain with them for the duration of the workshop.
