Free youth theatre workshops coming to Leitrim this June

Young people across County Leitrim are being invited to tap into their creativity this summer as Leitrim Youth Theatre Company rolls out a series of free workshops on Saturday, June 7th, as part of Cruinniú na nÓg 2025.

The workshops, taking place in Ballinamore, Drumshanbo, and Leitrim Village, are designed to spark imagination and build confidence in young people through theatre, dance, and creative movement. Each session is tailored to different age groups, ranging from nine to nineteen years old.

In Ballinamore, the Island Theatre will host sessions titled The Art of Creative Connection, facilitated by Gavin Sweeney and Mia Blake. Younger participants aged nine to twelve will attend from 11.00am to 12.30pm, while teens aged thirteen to eighteen will join from 12.45pm to 2.15pm. The same workshop will be held later that day in Drumshanbo at The Mayflower, where the younger group will meet from 3.15pm to 4.45pm and the older group from 3.00pm to 6.30pm. Supporting facilitators include Emily Sachs Eldridge, Regina Kiernan, and Aideen Quinn.

Meanwhile, in Leitrim Village, St Joseph’s Community Hall will be the venue for Creative Movement and Dance to Explore Your Own Creative Inner Voice, a workshop that brings together movement, self-expression, and theatre. The junior session, for children aged nine to thirteen, will run from 11.00am to 1.00pm. The senior session, for ages thirteen to nineteen, follows from 1.30pm to 3.30pm.

Facilitator Kate Wilson of Undercurrent will lead the sessions, joined by Maura Williamson and Ailbhe Rogers. Maura says the workshops are all about helping young people find their voice through creativity. “Sometimes words aren’t enough,” she said. “Through movement and performance, young people can explore big feelings and make sense of the world around them in a really powerful way.”

She added, “We’re not looking for polished performances—we’re here to create a space where kids can feel free, seen, and safe to express themselves. Every single young person deserves that opportunity.”

The Leitrim Village venue will also offer a Bright Sparks session, designed for those who may prefer a gentler pace. Numbers for this session are limited, and early booking is advised.

Organisers are encouraging families to book ahead to secure a spot. Bookings for the Ballinamore and Drumshanbo sessions can be made by emailing leitrimyouththeatre@gmail.com, while bookings for the Leitrim Village dance workshops should be sent to LYTCarraig03@gmail.com.

The initiative is supported by Leitrim County Council, Creative Ireland, and RTÉ as part of Cruinniú na nÓg, a nationwide celebration of creativity for children and young people.

For more details, visit cruinniu.gov.ie.

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