It’s 'Fun From
Afar' for Wainfest
25.09.20
THERE’s no stopping
Wainfest, Donegal’s Arts and Book Festival for children,
as it launched its 24th programme of events with
Cathaoirleach Rena Donaghey on Tuesday.
This year’s festival is aptly named 'Fun From Afar' with
an extensive and exciting range of online events for
children to participate in from the comfort of their own
classrooms and homes. |
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Launch of
Wainfest 2020 .
Pictured from left to right: Caroline Cutliffe (Buncrana
Library), Cathaoirleach Cllr Rena Donaghey, Sandra
O’Donnell (Buncrana Library) and Sinéad McLaughlin (Wainfest
Co-ordinator). |
Wainfest is curated each
year by a vibrant team from Donegal County Council’s
Culture Division, to provide quality, inclusive
opportunities to inspire the young people of Inishowen
and Donegal. This year’s festival takes place from 3rd –
11th October.
Speaking at the launch, Cathaoirleach Rena Donaghey
expressed her delight with how: “the Wainfest team have
found a way to deliver a programme which complies with
all public health advice without compromising on
quality. This year’s festival is absolutely filled to
the brim with fabulous events which I’m sure families
and schools alike will thoroughly enjoy. The fact that
the majority of events are online this year also ensures
that everyone across the county can join in online and
have Fun From Afar.”
Events such as the University of Wonder and Imagination,
presented by Cahoots NI and the theatrical production of
David Walliams’ Ratburger are just two examples of
what’s in store for families. Outdoor events see the
return of Oakfield Park’s Harry Potter Experience,
nature activities at Glenveagh and a Smart Phone
Heritage Hunt at Donegal County Museum. There are also
opportunities for families to explore the great outdoors
with RTÉ Mooney Goes Wild panellist, Éanna Ní Lamhna.
The schools programme is just as exciting with online
sessions from authors such as Matt Oldfield, who wrote
Unbelievable Football, Jonathan Meres of World of Norm
fame. Local man John D. Ruddy will present a Manny Man
History and Drawing Workshop and returning for his
second year author and poet Paul Cookson will regale
students with his funny rhymes.
Speaking about the festival, Wainfest co-ordinator
Sinéad McLaughlin spoke about the key differences in the
Wainfest 2020 programme: “We are very cognisant of the
public health advice in place at the moment therefore,
this year we will be sending an electronic copy of the
brochure to all schools across Donegal rather than a
physical copy. The brochure will also be readily
available online at
www.wainfest.ie .”
“Unfortunately we will not be having any events in our
public libraries this year, which is disappointing as we
will miss the excitement of it all. However, our online
events will allow schools across the county equal access
to all events.”
The Wainfest 2020 programme is available online at
www.wainfest.ie . |
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