Ireland holds first new national day of creativity

Ireland on Monday held its first Cruinniu na Casca festival, a new national day of culture and creativity.

The festival aims to celebrate culture and creativity in contemporary Irish society through a rich variety of free artistic and cultural events.

In Dublin, the festival took place in the four zones of Smithfield, Dublin Castle, St. Stephen's Green and Custom House Quay. The Cruinniu na Casca activities included live music and dance, art and music workshops, talks and tastings, readings and screenings, and other special events.

Around the country, local authorities organized their own Cruinniu na Casca activities with a special focus on events for families and children.

Cruinniu na Casca, which directly translates as "a meeting at Easter", is an annual public festival which celebrates culture and creativity in contemporary Irish society, with a special focus on events for families and children.

This year's theme for Cruinniu Na Casca is diversity and inclusion. Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny said Cruinniu na Casca is "an initiative that is close to my heart".

He believed the festival has "the potential to enrich our social and cultural lives long into the future." Endit