Kilkenny Celebrates ‘The Power of Play’ at National Play Day 2025 – Free Family Fun at Kilkenny Castle Park on July 5th

National Play Day 2025 organised by Kilkenny County Council Community section in conjunction with the Department of Children, Disability and Equality will be held on Saturday 5th July, 2025. The event hosted by Kilkenny County Council and OPW will take place between 12 and 2pm in Kilkenny Castle Park. The event and all activities are free of charge and families are encouraged to come along, enjoy the activities and make the event a great success. Along with event partners Healthy Ireland, Creative Ireland and Children and Young People’s Services Committee (CYPSC) it will be a great opportunity to highlight and support the importance of creating time and space for families to have fun together.  The feedback from the various workshops held last year was hugely positive and the plan is to create an even bigger and better event this year.  Play Day supports and highlights the importance of creating time and space for families to have fun together. 

This year’s theme is ‘The Power of Play’.  Play is vital to supporting children’s development, learning and wellbeing. It encourages a sense of adventure and discovery, helping young minds to better understand the world around them through fun and creative ways. This National Play Day is an opportunity for Kilkenny County Council and our partners to invite children and their families to come together in the grounds of Kilkenny Castle Park and take part in a wide range of activities for all to enjoy. 

Activities and workshops include magic shows, intergenerational yoga, storytelling, giant games, funfair stalls, balance bikes, friendship bracelet workshop and craft workshops.  There will be an activity area for children to enjoy the power of play!  Come along and enjoy, it’s open to all and all activities are free of charge. 

The workshops represent the wonder and discovery that unfolds when children play outside.  Access to outdoor play means children have many opportunities for developing their imagination and physical abilities. Playing in nature also presents opportunities for exploration and adventure.

National Play Day is more than just a day of fun, it is a celebration of the fundamental role that play has in all of our lives. Play is essential for children’s physical, emotional and cognitive growth.

For further information contact:

Alison McGrath, Community Section, Kilkenny County Council on 056-7794967 or email: Alison.mcgrath@kilkennycoco.ie

Janette Boran (Healthy Ireland), Majella Keating (Creative Communities), Alison McGrath, Lianne Kelly, Cora Nolan, Catherine Byrne Murphy (Kilkenny County Council Community Section), Leighann Ryan Culleton(CYPSC).