MAF EVENTS 2023
Cruinniu Na Nog 10 June 2023

When: 10 June 2023
Time: 11-1pm
Where: Ballyannan Woods, Midleton. Meet at the Car Park Ballyannan Woods:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/et9A7kQf7TQdM5F76?g_st=ic
email to book your child’s place
Please include your name and child’s name.
ALL WEATHER (unless absolutely impossible/fierce wind!) So bring relevant clothes depending on the day.
Children must be accompanied by an adult for the 2 hours.
This event begins with a guided inquiry and exploration of the sounds, smells, colours, textures, temperatures, of things in the woods. By paying close attention to details that often go unnoticed, a whole new world is opened up for the imagination. This becomes the jumping off point to collect natural materials, and to then create an art work. Anything that occurs is encouraged; participants can make patterns, fantasy landscapes, mini gardens, little creatures. This may be something built together as a group or individual creations, depending on ideas developed in the first inquiry phase. Participants are encouraged to build a story as they collect and create, and the stories are then shared, and added to by use of movement, sound and other elements in the woods. Take a journey into the imagination without devices. Laugh, discover, and make friends.
Belinda Walsh and Ilse de Ziah have been developing their (art and nature centered) practice with young people through their work as artistic directors of Midleton Arts Festival, and through classes and events in local schools. They have created this gentle workshop to take advantage of the huge benefits of immersing oneself in nature. The aim is to encourage and guide children to develop a strong connection with their local environment through art. This event is a continuation of their work and is intended as a pilot for a regular gathering to encourage parents to spend more time with their children in outdoor activities, especially in the beautiful local woods.
This interactive workshop will inspire and encourage children to leave their devices, get out into nature and relax.

What is Cruinniú na nÓg?
A day of free creativity for children and young people
Ireland is the first, and only, country in the world to have a national day of free creativity for children and young people under 18. Cruinniú na nÓg is a flagship initiative of the Creative Ireland Programme’s Creative Youth Plan to enable the creative potential of children and young people. The inaugural Cruinniú na nÓg took place on 23rd June 2018 and for the past number of years, including under exceptional circumstances in 2020, young people and families have come together to enjoy, a wide range of creative activities including workshops and tutorials to recitals and readings in every city, town and village across the country.
For more info click here https://cruinniu.creativeireland.gov.ie/about/
2023 Festival
Thank you to everyone who took part in the festival. It was a magical and wonderful week of fascinating events and our best festival yet!




STOP PRESS>>>>>>>Further events and details
Curvy Figures










MAF Cinema 2023 at the Gate Cinema, Midleton.
Sat 20 May 11.00am
Come and enjoy a FREE SCREENING for all the family! The oscar winning, animated feature film, WALL-E will be shown at the Gate Cinema at 3pm, on Saturday 20th May.
WALL-E:In the distant future, a small waste-collecting robot inadvertently embarks on a space journey that will ultimately decide the fate of mankind.
Sun 21 May 11am – 12pm
Join us at the Gate Cinema Midleton for another FREE SCREENING of fun-filled, colourful stop animation shorts from local, young animators from Midleton and Youghal. These wonderfully imaginative shorts were produced in workshops for the First Cut! Youth Film Festival 2023, which were made possible through the generous support of The Arts Council, Cork County Council, Youghal Credit Union and the YIFM Network.
Sun 21 May 4 – 6pm
Midleton Arts Festival and the Gate Cinema, Midleton are delighted to offer a FREE SCREENING of the award winning experimental feature film, ‘Concrete Keys’, by Natasha Bourke.
Concrete Keys: A strange and familiar parallel universe that evokes the tragically poignant comic structures and absurd rituals of institution, in an ever-changing world.




Art in a Climate of Change
The Vibrant Artists Community of Midleton and Surrounds come together in May this year, to present their work, experiment, stretch imaginations and raise the spirits of the local community. Feel the town buzz the minute you step foot on the street. Expect the unexpected and bring your friends and family along to take part in the many activities! Magical events for all ages; exhibition opening at MyPlace, a sound installation, working with natural materials and listening to the Cork Light Orchestra in the Farmers Market, great exhibitions, talks, music, sound bath, drumming circle, poetry, film, bohemian discussions, free screenings at the Gate Cinema and a huge Art Market on Sunday. There is something for everyone at Midleton Arts Festival.

DOWNLOAD SCHEDULE HERE
Midleton Art Market will be held on Sunday 21 May 11-4. Download and print poster if you have a local place you can hang it up!

MAF 2023 Cinema
Our festival is a celebration of our community and its relationship with art. With so many talented artists in the area and wonderful art teachers in the schools, creativity is bubbling in East Cork throughout the year. MAF creates an opportunity to showcase, share and express this ongoing creativity during the festival.
Past Festival videos – MAF captured so beautifully by East Cork filmmaker Kara Sweeney of Twenty4Films.