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Music Generation Kilkenny, KCETB Youth Office, and Creative Ireland Team – Kilkenny County Council – launch creative workshops for Autumn
in partnership with Ossory Youth, Foróige Kilkenny, and the local community of Johnstown and Urlingford
Young people in Johnstown and Urlingford are set to benefit from two exciting new creative programmes launching this autumn. Courses focus on music production and live performance, and on visual art and creative expression. Both initiatives are completely free and open to young people with an interest in exploring their creativity, regardless of experience.
This partnership aligns with the Department of Education’s Action Plan for Education and its priorities around well-being, DEIS, literacy, and numeracy. Additionally, delivering on, for example the Children and Young People’s Plan, Arts Council: Making Great Art Work and the Creative Ireland Programme 2023-2027 (DTCAGSM) by utilising culture and creativity as a catalyst for collaboration and innovation in achieving greater wellbeing, social cohesion, and economic development. It reflects a shared commitment to providing inclusive, high-quality, process-led arts experiences that are inclusive and support health, well-being, community engagement and social cohesion.
Music Generation Kilkenny is part of Ireland’s national music education programme, initiated by Music Network and co-funded by U2, The Ireland Funds, the Department of Education and Youth, and Local Music Education Partnerships. The programme seeks to transform the lives of children and young people aged 0–18 by creating access to high-quality, affordable music tuition in their localities. Locally, the programme is led by Kilkenny and Carlow Education and Training Board in partnership with Kilkenny County Council.
KCETB is a leading provider of education and training in the southeast. KCETB’s tagline is Flourish through learning. KCETB’s Youth Office works to support the provision, co-ordination, administration and assessment of youth work throughout Kilkenny and Carlow. The Youth Office works in partnership with a range of youth work providers, including Ossory Youth, Carlow Regional Youth Services and Foróige. They also work in cooperation with a range of other statutory and voluntary agencies.
Beat Making and Live Looping: Youth Music Programme (Ages 14–24)
This strand offers young people the opportunity to dive into the world of beat making, music production, and live looping using Ableton Live, a music software used by professional music producers worldwide. Participants will work with an experienced musician to create original tracks, collaborate with peers, and prepare for a live community performance using the Music Generation Kilkenny mobile recording studio.
All equipment is provided (participants may bring their own laptops if compatible with the software).
Creative workshops: Youth Art Programme (Ages 10+)
Running alongside the music strand, Kilkenny’s youth-led visual and literary art programme offers a vibrant space for young creatives to explore drawing, painting, design, and mixed media. Guided by experienced artists, participants will build confidence, experiment with new materials, and create original artworks to be proudly exhibited in a final community showcase.
The programme champions creativity as a vital part of personal and community well-being, aligning with Kilkenny’s Culture and Creativity Strategy. Since 2017, Creative Ireland Kilkenny has supported a wide range of projects that highlight the transformative power of culture and social engagement. A key focus of its annual programme is increasing accessibility in meaningful, quality creative experiences for young people. This includes long-standing initiatives such as Cruinniú na nÓg, yearly grant bursaries, and targeted projects through collaborative partnerships with groups and services across Kilkenny.
Both the music and visual art programmes will run weekly in Johnstown and Urlingford with separate sessions tailored to ensure age-appropriate, focused engagement. The final showcase will bring together families, friends, and the wider community to celebrate the creativity, growth, and achievements of all participants.
Majella Keating, Community Engagement Officer at Kilkenny County Council, said, “We’re thrilled to support this dynamic collaboration that places young people at the heart of creativity in Kilkenny. By providing access to high-quality artistic experiences, we’re not only nurturing individual talent but also strengthening community connections and future plans”
This project is funded through a collaboration with KCETB Youth Office and Creative Ireland Kilkenny County Council.
Registration
Places are limited, and early registration is encouraged via the QR code.
To request more information, please contact:
Ríomhphost: musicgenerationkilkenny@kcetb.ie ,
Ríomhphost: Youthoffice@kcetb.ie
Phone: 056 778 6896