In the Cruthaí Beaga programme we work with the under 5 age group from creches, preschools and parent and toddler groups in Dublin city.
During the gallery’s current period of temporary closure, all our Explore & Learn programmes, including this one, will take place entirely offsite and in locations throughout Dublin city.
In Cruthaí Beaga, Early Years specialist professional artists from our panel of Artists and Guides work with early years groups in their own spaces. The aim is to give these very young children the opportunity to experience looking at art and being creative themselves, in a way that is meaningful and enjoyable for them.
The name of the programme – Cruthaí Beaga – translates from the Irish as ‘Little Creatives’ and was chosen to reflect the abundantly creative and free nature of young children. We provide the space, materials and encouragement to let children work in a ‘messy’, playful and expansive way, as is often their inclination at this stage.
To date in 2026, artists Tamao Oka and Niamh Lawlor have worked with ABC Creche in Dublin 1.
If you are a crèche, preschool, parent and toddler group or other group that works with the under 5s, and would like to participate in this programme please contact Cleo Fagan, Education Curator at Hugh Lane Gallery, on [email protected]
Space prepared for a sensory workshop with artists Niamh Lawlor and Tamao Oka, at ABC Creche in January 2026
Children from St Louise’s created miniature puppets which they put to bed, with artist and puppeteer Niamh Lawlor, June 2024
Children from St Louise’s created miniature puppets with artist and puppeteer Niamh Lawlor, June 2024
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2025
In 2025, artists Tamao Oka and Helen Barry worked with Little Treasures Community Creche on Sheriff Street, Dublin 1.
Artist Niamh Lawlor, also worked with Ozanam House Early Learning Centre, Mountjoy Square, as part of their summer programme on dates throughout June, July and August.
Also in 2025, artist Helen Barry worked with Beag – Parent and Baby group from Summer Hill Primary Care Centre, Dublin 1.
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2024
In 2024, artists Niamh Lawlor and Tamao Oka worked with:
- St Louise’s ECDS, Dublin 1
- Holy Child Preschool, Sean McDermott Street, Dublin 1
- St Brigid’s, Mountjoy Square, Dublin 1
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2023
In 2023, artist Helen Barry worked with:
- Moatview Early Years crèche in Darndale,
- The Fatima Family Daycare in Dublin 8,
- The Parent Child + Programme from the National College of Ireland
We are delighted that artist Helen Barry has incorporated Sculptunes – a series of interactive sound installations – into this programme. These artworks are designed with and for early years children.
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2022
In 2022, artists Helen Barry and Ashleigh Downey worked with:
- the Portobello Parent and Toddler Group;
- School Street Family Resource Centre crèche, Dublin 8;
- Mellow Springs Childcare Creche, Finglas;
- Jigsaw Creche, Darndale;
- The Parent Child + Programme from the National College of Ireland.
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