Santa explores our garden

Santa is getting ready for A Wonderful Woodland Christmas

Watch our stop motion animations of Santa enjoying himself in the woods before our Christmas event. Watch out for more.
The event is on for families on 13th and 14th of December at 3pm or we are available for group bookings throughout December. Contact 086 3027602 or creativeardagh@gmail.com for bookings and enquiries.

Gift vouchers now available

We now have gift vouchers for our family events available, and don't forget the many other Christmas gift ideas in our Midir and Etain craft gallery including beautiful handmade items by the Creative Longford group. Contact us and we will be happy to let you browse at a time that suits you.

A Wonderful Woodland Christmas!

It's that time of year again already! Our Christmas event is woodland themed this year, featuring stories such as the Gruffalo's Child, Stickman, Rabbit's Winter Walk, The Very Snowy Christmas, One Snowy Night, The Little Reindeer, Narnia and many more.

The event will include a Christmas art workshop with a woodland twist which will be ongoing as each family gets to visit Santa without having to queue. You can just relax, explore our magical indoor winter woods, as well as our outdoor one and enjoy tea, coffee, hot chocolate and Christmas treats before you leave.
Prices: Adult €5, Children €8 or a family of 4 (2 adults and 2 children or 1 adult and 3 children) €24.
Early booking is advised as it usually books up quickly. Extra sessions may be available subject to demand.

Group Special
The year we are also offering the event package to preschool, school or other groups throughout December including an extra drama workshop in the two hour session. Prices €4 per person for one hour, €6 per person for one and a half hours or €8 per person for two hours for groups over 10. (Supervising adults free). Normal event prices apply for groups under 10. Contact us on 086 3027602 or creativeardagh@gmail.com to arrange your visit.

Exciting new course starting next week

Elements of Art course
Creative Ardagh are delighted to announce this exciting new art course which will run in two separate sessions on Thursdays in Ardagh Heritage and Creativity Centre, Ardagh, Co. Longford starting on 25th September 2014. The first class from 12.30 to 1.30pm will be open to all ages from toddlers to adults. The second from 4.00 to 5.00pm will be aimed at the 4-12 year age group. Each class will cost €5 per person with occasional extra charges for materials which will be advertised in advance.

We are also running this  for outreach programmes in venues around the county (€7 per person) starting in St. Mary's Community Centre, Edgeworthstown on Monday 29th September. Subject to demand two classes will run from 2.15pm to 3.15pm and 3.15pm to 4.15pm weekly.

Contact us if you would like to arrange it in a venue near you (Email creativeardagh@gmail.com or call Annette on (086) 3027602). Check out creativeardaghartelements.blogspot.ie for more details, to participate from home or to download lesson plans for schools.

Halloween fun returns for Year Four

Ardagh School of Witchcraft and Wizardry returns for Year Four over the Halloween Bank Holiday weekend, Saturday 25th, Sunday 26th or Monday 27th October at 3pm. Visit the Forbidden Forest, take part in potion's class and an art workshop and have lots more fun. Early booking advised (Extra morning sessions may be announced later subject to demand). Adults €5 (including tea/coffee), Children €8, Family of 4 €24 (2 adults and 2 children or 1 adult and 3 children).

Discover Primary Science & Maths Centre accreditation

We are delighted to now be an accredited Discover Primary Science and Maths Centre. We currently offer the DPSM workshops below. See the School Programmes tab and www.primaryscience.ie for more details.

Please click on the link to access our other Sample Lesson plans for primary schools: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BzFSQbxeISN4Ql80R08wOUdmS0E/edit?usp=sharing

Summer camp fun

The first week of our Summer Camp was a great success. Week two is nearly upon us and there are only two places left. Join us for five fun-filled days of arts, crafts and creativity of all sorts.
Monday 11th to Friday 15th August - 9.30am to 3.00pm
Ages 5 to 13

Get your thinking book out, brainstorm ideas with us, pick your own theme and the group will decide the direction of project for the week.

Individual and group activities will include some or all of the following: drawing, painting, printing, collage, tie-dying, felting, weaving, stuffed toy and costume making, embroidery, pottery, model-making, animation, construction and large-scale sculpture, creative writing, dressing up and drama, nature walks, den building and science experiments

Camp co-ordinators: Annette Corkery MLitt in Creative Education and Ann Gerety Smyth BA(Hons)

Bring your lunch and two snacks, rain gear and wellies, a white cotton t-shirt (or other cotton items) for tie-dying and an A5 sketchpad. Wear suitable clothing for messy art activities and outdoor play.

1 child €75; 2+ children €70 each per week (includes all materials)

Call 086 3027602 or email creativeardagh@gmail.com for enquiries and booking forms (or right-click on the form below to save and print yourself)
€50 deposit per child required to secure your place.

Printing workshop this Saturday

Printing workshop
Saturday 24th May 12.00pm to 1.00pm. Come along, have fun and experiment with lots of printing techniques. Suitable for all ages from toddlers to adults. €5 per person.

Drawing Day for art students

Join us on Easter Island for family fun

Looking for something fun to do with your family over the Easter bank holiday weekend? Come and join us on Easter Island for an egg hunt, art workshop and lots more surprises at 3.00pm on Saturday 19th, Sunday 20th or Monday 21st April. Early booking advised as our events usually book out quickly. €8 per child, €5 per adult (including tea/coffee) or €24 for a family of 4 (2 adults and 2 children or 1 adult and 3 children).

Video of the visit of President Michael D Higgins

Thanks Rachel Masterson for this great video summary of the President's visit.

Very successful and exciting weekend!

Photo by Michael Croghan. For more photos click on the link to the President's visit page above.

Presidential Visit
Creative Ardagh would like to thanks everyone who helped make the President's visit a success. We are overwhelmed by the generosity of spirit we encountered in the preparation time and on the day. Thank you all so much. Thank you also to the many people who accepted our open invitation to attend. It was great to be able to have representatives from most of the schools in the county, the various local groups and officials gathered together. We were especially pleased that we could welcome back attendees of the wide-ranging classes and events we have held over the last two and a half years.

As the President pointed out on the day every body has the capacity to be creative and having you all there was a wonderful way to demonstrate this and celebrate the diversity of our patrons: "I believe that art in whatever form it comes, should be made accessible to everyone and that it should be brought back into the daily lives of everyone." President Higgins also praised the “wide range of initiatives taking place here in the Ardagh Creativity and Heritage Centre and said it was “giving young and old the opportunity to engage in the creativity process and to learn new skills and to be able to talk to people without having to say something earth shatteringly brilliant!”

On the day the President toured the building meeting students and tutors from various classes in the art room, admiring the handmade products of the Creative Longford group in the craft gallery and meeting with members of Ardagh Moydow Reaching Out, Engage Longford and public representatives in the Heritage exhibition area. He also signed our visitors' book which also contains the signatures of previous Presidents and other visitors from all over the world.

Outside President Higgins was greeted by a guard of honour including local cubs, brownies and guides and school children from around the county. Brendan Farrell handed over the ceremonial Tree Planting Spade for the planting of a weeping willow by the President and he was then entertained by the moving dance by Orla McCarthy, ballerina accompanied by the wonderful harpist Mary Smyth before moving into the marquee to give his excellent speech.

Leprechaun and Fairy Treasure Hunt
The exciting events on Friday were followed by a more informal day at Creative Ardagh as we hosted a fun, family event, the Leprechaun and Fairy Treasure Hunt. Our little leprechaun and fairy visitors created some great St. Patrick's Day cards and an amazing rainbow before the big leprechaun ran away with the pot of gold and we all had to search the woods to find it. Lots of other fairies and leprechauns who dwell in the woods revealed themselves on the day to help with the search.

Photo by Michael Croghan

Photo by Michael Croghan

Photo by Michael Croghan

Photo by Michael Croghan

Photo by Michael Croghan

Photo by Michael Croghan

 

Creative Longford craft fair
On Sunday we finished off the weekend with the first ever Creative Longford craft fair. It was great to see many local return for the second or third time over the weekend and there seemed to be a great buzz in the marquee all day with lots of high quality handmade crafts finding new homes with the visitors. We also had a great face-painter in action and many of the attendees also got creative themselves in the art room. Hopefully we'll have many more days like this!

Leanne Forster Makes

Jacinta Baxter Designs

Made in Lucy's Kitchen

Wendy Louise Knight

Madeline Fitzgerald Farrell

Just For You, Ann Devlin

Bernie Mullen

Why have one celebration when you can have three!

We've decided that as we are starting the St. Patrick's weekend with a celebration of the visit by President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins on Friday 14th March (see below for full details), that we might as well continue the celebrations on Saturday and Sunday. We have two very different events lined up with something to suit all ages.

Join us at 3.00pm on Saturday 15th March for some exciting family fun. All fairies, leprechauns and other enchanting folk are welcome to take part in a treasure hunt, story time and a fun St. Patrick's themed art workshop. Fancy dress optional. It should be a magical afternoon finishing up with tea/coffee and treats.
€8 per child, €5 per adult or €24 for a family of 4 (2 adults and 2 children or 1 adult and 3 children), booking advised.

On Sunday 16th March at 12.00pm we are delighted to be holding our first ever craft fair in conjunction with the new county craft network, Creative Longford. We already have some of their beautiful handmade products in stock in our revamped craft gallery (Thanks Leanne and Jacinta!) so we know everyone who attends is in for a treat! There will also be lots more happening on the day to keep young and old entertained.
There are still a small number of tables available, free for members of Creative Longford and €20 for non-members, contact us quickly if you would like one.

Exciting news!

Creative Ardagh are delighted to announce the visit by the President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins to Ardagh Heritage and Creativity Centre on the morning of Friday 14th March. Guests are invited to attend at 10.00am while the President is expected to arrive at 11.00am for a 45 minute stay. He will be greeted by Ann Gerety Smyth, Annette Corkery and members of the committee.
President Higgins will tour the building starting in the art room where students will be demonstrating the range of courses that take place in Creative Ardagh. Next he will meet members of the newly established Creative Longford craft network who will be showcasing their products in the Craft Gallery.
This will be followed by a tree planting ceremony in the garden. The tree will be joining a collection of others planted over the years by visiting dignitaries, including past Presidents. The crowd will be entertained by Mary Smyth on harp and Orla McCarthy, ballerina.
Speeches and a presentation will take place in the marquee where the local representatives, VIPs and invited guests will get a chance to mingle with President Higgins while refreshments are served. Those who attend on the day are welcome to join in one of our heritage-based art classes after the President has departed.

Drawing day

Come and join us for a creative drawing day for all ages on Saturday 15th February from 12.00pm to 2.00pm. Suitable for adults and children, whether you are looking for a fun family day out, practicing for exams or just want to learn a new skill. Experiment with different techniques and drawing styles, with the emphasis on enjoying yourself! €5 per person. Bring your own sketchpad and something to draw with.