Cork’s Playful Culture Trail returns for summer
Image 1 of 2
Julia O’Brien (8), Molly Ann Murray (7) and Elsie O’Brien (5) getting crafty with sustainable materials to celebrate the launch of Cork’s Playful Culture Trail. Photos: Clare KeoghImage 2 of 2
Sisters Elsie and Julia O’Brien embracing the Sustainable Artist theme of this year’s Playful Culture Trail. The trail encourages families to get out and explore Cork city’s cultural attractions.Looking for summer entertainment for the kids? Consider exploring the Playful Culture Trail, an initiative that encourages families to engage in creativity and playfulness all summer long.
Now in its third year, the trail was first established in Cork in 2021 as part of a commitment towards making cultural and heritage spaces more accessible and fun for children.
Running through July and August, Cork's participating visitor attractions and hotels will invite families to partake in the trail by offering them a kid-friendly map of Cork city. Each attraction will be listed, with participants able to collect stamps from each of the museums, galleries, and historic sites.
They will also be encouraged to complete the list of 25 Playful Things to Do which include finding Ogham Stones in UCC, sketching their favourite work of art in the Crawford Art Gallery, and spotting the Ardú street murals across the city. An accompanying Playful Culture Trail website will feature additional sustainable craft ideas, ensuring that young artists have plenty to keep them busy throughout the summer.
In addition to the diverse range of trail activities, families can keep an eye out for Bláithin the Lizard, the Playful Culture Trail’s mascot. The trail encompasses a wide array of locations, including Blackrock Castle Observatory, The Butter Museum, Cork City Gaol, Cork Public Museum, Elizabeth Fort, Crawford Art Gallery, Nano Nagle Place, Glucksman Gallery, Old Cork Waterworks Experience, Shandon Bells and Tower, St Fin Barre's Cathedral, St Peter's Church, Triskel Christchurch, Cork City Library, and various outdoor spaces and picnic points such as Fitzgerald Park, the Lough, and the Atlantic Pond. The intention is to provide families with the opportunity to embark on multiple day trips, explore different locations and engage in various activities.
Commenting on Cork City Playful Culture Trail, one of the key organisers Jess Cull, Learning and Engagement Officer at Nano Nagle Place said: “The success of the past two years of the Playful Culture Trail have encouraged us to go back to the drawing board and find new ways for families and children to discover the city’s many cultural attractions and green spaces. This year’s theme encourages kids to get creative and use environmentally friendly ways to play and engage with our city’s rich heritage.”