The ISACS Network is delighted to announce that we are once again Creative Ireland’s  Strategic partners for Cruinniú na nÓg 2023.

Circus Explored is supported by the Creative Ireland Programme in the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht Sport and Media as well as under the government’s Shared Island Initiative in the Department of the Taoiseach.

The initiative is presented in association with Creative Ireland and in partnership with Circus Factory Cork, Cloughjordan Circus Club, Dublin Circus Project, Galway Community Circus, Circusful in Belfast, and In Your Space in Derry.

Background info on Circus Explored 2022

Through Circus Explored 2022, ISACS connected with every Creative Ireland Coordinator and Head Librarian in every local authority in Ireland, engaging them directly in distributing 5,000 juggling balls to their communities. Youth-led video tutorials were created by  Circus Factory Cork, Cloughjordan Circus Club, Dublin Circus Project and Galway Community Circus – partner organisations – to share various juggling techniques and skills elements. Open days were held in the four partners’ spaces for Cruinniú na nÓg, June 11th 2022.

Circus Explored 2023

Building on last year’s success, in 2023, we will distribute 4,000 free Spinning Plates to every county in Ireland. Each set will also be accompanied by a postcard with a QR code linking to video tutorials for community members to learn how to spin a plate virtually with young circus practitioners from the partnering organisations.

Furthermore, there will be cross-community events connecting young people from both sides of the border with members of the community circus organisations from north and south meeting for creative collaboration at each of the following events:

  • Festival of Fools circus and outdoor arts festival presented by Circusful in Belfast, April 29th – May 1st 2023
  • Mayhem – Galway Community Circus youth circus festival, 26th – 29th May 2023.

The overall initiative will conclude with an island-wide day of activity in each partner centre on Saturday, June 10th, to celebrate Cruinniú na nÓg.

Find out more about Circus Explored and learn how to spin plates here→