Set Sail and Create: Cruinniú Children’s Workshops
Saturday 6 June 3–5 years, 12 noon 6–10 years, 2pm Cork City Library
Anchors Aweigh! For Cruinniú na nÓg, we’re excited to host two children’s workshops with a playful maritime theme at the Cork City Library! Inspired by artworks from Crawford Art Gallery’s collection which explore Cork’s rich maritime history and books in the library on similar themes, this imaginative session will allow children to create their own ships using recycled materials.
This event is free, but booking is required. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Interpreting Cork Maritime History and Culture Across Two Collections
Cork Public Museum (T12V0AA)
Friday 5 June, 1pm
For Cork Harbour Festival, we are delighted to announce a special collaborative event between Crawford Art Gallery and Cork Public Museum exploring maritime themes across both collections.
Join us to chat about selected artworks and objects which explore Cork’s rich maritime history.
The event will take place at Cork Public Museum and will last approximately 45 to 60 minutes.
Bealtaine is Ireland’s national festival celebrating the arts and ageing led by Age & Opportunity.
Crawford Art Gallery is delighted to participate with creative workshops for people with memory loss. These take place at St Finbarr’s Hospital, Bessboro Day Centre Cork and the McAuley Centre in Midleton in partnership with the Alzheimer Society Ireland. Seehere.
Lonradh is the gallery's dedicated art programme for older adults experiencing memory loss, their families and carers.
‘Lonradh’ is an Irish word, which means to illuminate, (it is pronounced Lun-rah).
This programme offers gentle, open-ended art sessions led by Artist Facilitators Gillian Cussen and Inge Van Doorslaer.
Gillian and Inge focus on the sharing of experience in the moment
Throughout May the Micro Gallery at 46 Grand Parade will highlight the creative lives of older disabled artists.
Passers-by can view a selection of new artwork weekly by Crawford Supported Studio members – visible from the street – as part of Bealtaine, Ireland’s national festival celebrating arts and ageing.
Together, these works speak to making, meaning and creativity across a lifetime — affirming that art is not defined by age or ability, but by expression, commitment, and the freedom to be seen.
Nicola Moran is a disabled artist from East Cork and a member of Crawford Supported Studios. See Nicola’s drawings screen printed on repurposed fabric bags as part of MAF Shop Front Gallery at Bitesize, Peach Vintage & Zumi. Nicola draws curious character in pen; these pattern the pages of her notebooks with playful variations of shape and colour. To find out more about the Midleton Arts Festival, visit here.
As part of the Cork Lifelong Learning Festival there will be an opportunity toMeet the Artists of Crawford Supported Studios.
Meet the artist Rosaleen Moore, who will outline her memory-palace approach to drawing, inviting participants to draw a special place from memory or a photograph.
Crawford Supported Studios is a collaborative project anchored by MTU Crawford College of Art & Design and Crawford Art Gallery, with support from Cork City Council.
Access information
Getting there The LHQ Gallery is located at the Library Building on Carrigrohane Road in Cork (T12 K335). It is accessible on foot and by public transport, with city buses servicing the Western Road/Cork County Hall area.
Options include buses traveling towards Cork University Hospital (CUH), Munster Technological University (MTU), or Ballincollig (Buses 205, 208, 220) which pass near the area.
Parking Free parking onsite Disabled parking space directly in front of building and more parking spaces behind the building
Wheelchair access The venue is wheelchair accessible, and there are lifts to each floor The entrance to the venue has an automatic door
Accessible toilet The venue has toilets Disabled Toilet on each floor
Quiet space Quiet space and seating available in onsite library
Relaxed exhibition space You may come and go as you please, move around and talk in the exhibition space
Crawford Supported Studios and Cork County Council’s LHQ Gallery present This is Ireland, a vibrant group exhibition of artists working within supported studio settings. Running from 6 March - 15 May 2026, the exhibition features the work of 16 disabled artists and offers a powerful perspective that challenges stereotypes.
The exhibiting artists include: Judit Bakos, Ailbhe Barrett, Angela Burchill, Yvonne Condon, David Connolly, Bríd Heffernan, Eoin O’Brion, John Keating, Mary Rose Marshall, Rosaleen Moore, Nicola Moran, Stephen Murray, Íde Ní Shúilleabháin, Tom O’Sullivan, Marie Sexton, and Katie Whelan. All have developed their practice through Crawford Supported Studios which provides a sustained creative art space through technical, artistic support, access and networks.
This is Ireland opens on Friday, 6 of March and runs until Friday, 15 May at LHQ Gallery. There will be a programme of events as part of the Lifelong Learning Festival in conjunction with this exhibition (click here for more information).
LHQ Gallery is open Monday to Friday 9am-5.30pm, except for public holidays. LHQ Gallery is managed by the Library and Arts Service at Cork County Council, supported by the Arts Council. Crawford Supported Studios is a partnership between MTU Crawford College of Art & Design and Crawford Art Gallery, with support from Cork City Council Arts Office.
Access information
Getting there The LHQ Gallery is located at the Library Building on Carrigrohane Road in Cork (T12 K335). It is accessible on foot and by public transport, with city buses servicing the Western Road/Cork County Hall area.
Options include buses traveling towards Cork University Hospital (CUH), Munster Technological University (MTU), or Ballincollig (Buses 205, 208, 220) which pass near the area.
Parking Free parking onsite Disabled parking space directly in front of building and more parking spaces behind the building
Wheelchair access The venue is wheelchair accessible, and there are lifts to each floor The entrance to the venue has an automatic door
Accessible toilet The venue has toilets Disabled Toilet on each floor
Quiet space Quiet space and seating available in onsite library
Relaxed exhibition space You may come and go as you please, move around and talk in the exhibition space
Crawford Supported Studios is a collaborative project anchored by MTU Crawford College of Art & Design and Crawford Art Gallery, with support from Cork City Council.
Interpreting Nature Across 2 Collections: Crawford Art Gallery and Cork Public Museum
Friday 24 April, 1pm Cork Public Museum (T12V0AA)
For Cork Lifelong Learning Festival, we are delighted to announce a collaboration between Crawford Art Gallery and Cork Public Museum, bringing you a special talk exploring both collections.
Join Mera Kamar and Dara McGrath from Cork Public Museum, and Chloé Griffin from Crawford Art Gallery as they examine selected artworks and objects from each collection, exploring how representations of nature appear across both.
The talk is free to attend, but spaces must be reserved through Eventbrite.
Drawing Day 2026: Children’s Still Life Drawing Workshops
Cork Public Museum
Saturday 16 May 10:30–11:30 for 3–5 year olds 12:00–13:00 for 6–10 year olds
This year for National Drawing Day, Crawford Art Gallery and Cork Public Museum are teaming up to offer workshops for children aged 3-5 years and 6-10 years.
Join artist Queenie O’Sullivan as we explore works from both collections. Children will create their own still life drawings, inspired by artworks and objects with themes of food.
Please note Children must be accompanied by an adult for the duration of the workshop. All materials provided.
This event is free, but booking is required. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Saturday 16 May Group One: 10am–11am Group Two: 11:15am–12:15pm
Join artist Avril O’Brien for a special National Drawing Day workshop at Fitzgerald’s Park in collaboration with Sample-Studios!
The workshop takes place in the Sample-Studios Gallery at Lord Mayor’s Pavilion as they host House of Memory, a solo exhibition by Gibson Travelling Fellowship Award recipient Basil Al-Rawi. During the session, participants will view works by previous Gibson Bequest Scholarship winners and create their own drawing responses.
Avril will guide participants through techniques for observing and responding to artworks through drawing, with a focus on close looking and experimentation.
Open to young adults and adults of all levels, this relaxed workshop is ideal for anyone interested in drawing, whether experienced or simply curious to try something new. This event is free, but places are limited, booking in advance is essential. All materials will be provided. For info on our Drawing Day event for younger participants please visit our website.
To read more about the Gibson Bequest Scholarship, visit here.
Seen-Unseen is an art project led by artist Clare McLaughlin for and with people who are visually impaired.
We are delighted to collaborate with Clare to host a guided visit of the exhibition Constellations: Selected Work from Crawford Art Gallery at the F.E. Mc William Gallery in Banbridge, County Down. Constellations showcases artwork by contemporary Irish artists held in the national collection and exhibiting artist Laura Fitzgerald will meet the group for a relaxed chat about her artwork.
This event free of charge, but booking is essential. Attendees can join the group in-person or online.
No previous knowledge or particular art experience is necessary.
Crawford Art Gallery has collaborated with Clare and visually impaired participants since 2014 – with a range of art encounters and tactile visits. Clare’s collaborative work explores the haptic or sensory experience of art.
You can listen to Clare McLaughlin talking about Seen-Unseen visits by clicking here.
For information on the exhibition Constellations: Selected Work from Crawford Art Gallery click here.
PAINT THE SPRING: Children’s Nature Printing Workshops
Cork Public Museum, Fitzgerald's Park, Mardyke, Cork, T12 V0AA Saturday 31 January 3–5 years, 11:00am–12:00 6–10 years, 13:00–14:00
We are delighted to be hosted by the Cork Public Museum at Fitzgerald’s Park for two special nature themed workshops! Drawing on Imbolc, the traditional celebration marking the arrival of spring, children are invited to celebrate Brigid’s Weekend through a hands-on nature printing workshop. Inspired by artworks from Crawford Art Gallery’s collection that explore themes of nature, this creative session encourages young participants to experiment with printmaking techniques using organic materials. Guided by artist Amal Hope, children may work with leaves, flowers, plants, and other natural materials to create their own unique prints.
This event is free, but booking is required. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Book through Eventbrite by clicking on the links below:
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The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
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