An innovative festival known as ‘Out 24’ is set to take place in Connemara this month, aimed at uniting youngsters from the Gaeltacht regions. The one-day festivity is a segment of the Cruinniú na nÓg 2024 proceedings, paired with Cúla4 and Fíbín.
The venue for the event, scheduled on the 15th of June, is Baile na hAbhann, situated near the main office of TG4. The organisers estimate an attendance of around 2,000 individuals. Darach Ó Tuairisg, Fíbín’s director, emphasised the event’s dedication to valuing creativity, artistry, and musical talent.
Ó Tuairisg expressed his excitement about bringing together young individuals from the Gaeltacht, fostering an environment of camaraderie and unity among children coming from different Gaeltacht locales. The festival curates various age-specific activities to engage participants. Children aged 0-5, 6-12, and 13-18 years will be catered to distinctively.
Out 24 will host various events including graffiti art, Circus le Croí, dance, music, instrument playing, drumming, sketching, face painting, Rabbit Dance, creative writing and puppetry workshops, and rave trad music. Ó Tuairisg highlighted that every possible form of lively entertainment will be available.
A special television program capturing the event’s proceedings will be filmed and aired on Cúla 4 the following week. The festival extends a warm welcome to the growing number of non-native individuals residing in the Gaeltacht regions, mirroring the inclusivity seen across communities in Ireland.
Emphasising the festival’s purpose, Ó Tuairisg mentioned, “The primary aim of Out24 is to celebrate the Irish language along with the young hat-check from the Gaeltacht community.”
“He mentioned the warm welcome new Gaeltacht communities will receive and encouraged young people seeking refuge in the Gaeltacht to delve into the present-day Irish language and savour the local culture. June marks the exodus of numerous students from their homes to participate in Summer colleges in the Gaeltacht – a unique environment that allows them to broaden their vocabulary and fluency in the language. Additionally, this year, they will be able to join in celebrations at Outer 24,” he added.
On many occasions, those from outside are enchanted by the Gaeltacht, whilst the locals too are equally curious about the outer world, mused Ó Tuairisg. He extolled the benefits of this cultural exchange, arguing that when these people interact, they acquire unique insights from each other. In relation to creativity, he underlined its immense value in everyone’s life, regardless of their occupation. Accounting or construction, everything demands an element of creativity, imagination, and what is popularly known as ‘lateral thinking’ or ‘sideways thinking’, he explained.
He confessed, “In my youth, opportunities such as these were far and few between. My primary school years were confined to sports and céilís.” “Yet, in contrast, Outer 24 offers variety – pottery or DJ workshops, potential interaction with artists, and engaging in enlightening dialogues which broaden perspectives.
The famous Oireachtas na Samhna is well-regarded for creating a common ground for the Irish-speaking and Gaeltacht communities. O’Sullivan envisages Out 24 making a similar effect. He fondly expresses his wish to make it a yearly tradition, not just limited to Connemara but taking place in all directions of Ireland, thereby turning it into a travelling festival throughout the Gaeltacht.”
In the wake of a damp spring season, Ireland is now cocooned in summer with lush foliage blanketing the trees. Local agriculturists across the nation are looking forward to fair weather in the forthcoming weeks.
In Riverstown, an anticipated dry spell is projected on June 15th during the event ‘Outer 24’. The event allows public participation without charge, however, pre-registration is required.
For more details visit the website: cruinniu.creativeireland.gov.ie/event/amuigh-24/