The Walls Project, the team behind the acclaimed Waterford Walls festival, has been announced as one of Creative Ireland’s key national partners for Cruinniú na nÓg, Ireland’s national day of free creativity for young people.
This prestigious appointment was officially launched by Minister Patrick O'Donovan last Friday, 9 May, at a national event held at King John’s Castle in Limerick. The event marked the beginning of the Cruinniú na nÓg 2025 celebrations, which will take place on Saturday 7 June with over 1,000 free creative activities and events across the island of Ireland.
As part of this announcement, youth ambassadors representing Waterford Walls joined Creative Ireland and other national partners including Youth Theatre Ireland, RTÉ’s This Is Art!, Irish Chamber Orchestra, and the Irish Street Arts, Circus & Spectacle Network.
The Walls Project is one of three organisations awarded multi-year strategic partner status for Cruinniú na nÓg. The award forms part of the largest grant investment Creative Ireland has ever made in the youth creative sector, recognising the significant national impact and innovation of The Walls Project’s work with young people.
The organisation will lead the delivery of Wonder Walls, a new national programme of youth street art workshops and events, in 13 counties each year for the next three years, beginning this May and culminating in Cruinniú na nÓg each June.
John O Connell, Executive Director of The Walls Project, said: "This award is a huge vote of confidence in the work we’ve been doing here in Waterford for the past decade. It shows that what started as a local festival has grown into a national creative force. We’re proud to represent Waterford on this stage and even prouder to bring new opportunities for young people to engage with creativity in a way that’s bold, accessible and empowering."
The local community will also get to experience Wonder Walls firsthand. Waterford is one of the 13 counties taking part in the 2025 rollout, with workshops and drop-in sessions happening at Garter Lane Arts Centre in the lead-up to and on the day of Cruinniú na nÓg.
Creative Ireland’s national campaign is calling on all of Ireland’s young people to #UnleashYourCreativeSpark on June 7. Waterford’s young people will do just that, through the power of street art and creative expression—guided by a team based right here at home.
For more information about Wonder Walls and how to get involved, visit www.wallsproject.ie
