May 2026
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. See here.
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
For more information on the gallery’s Lonradh programme see https://crawfordartgallery.ie/lonradh/
Contact person for the Lonradh Programme:
Emma 021 427 3697
emmaklemencic@crawfordartgallery.ie
Bealtaine Festival: Making Meaning in a Lifetime
May 2026
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.
Link to the Crawford Supported Studios website.
Nicola Moran: Midleton Arts Festival
15 - 24 May 2026
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.
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.
BOOKING
Drawing Day 2026: Adults Drawing Workshop
Lord Mayor’s Pavillion, Fitzgerald’s Park
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.
BOOKING
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.
Bookings open soon
