!!!! Roundup of our 2026 Arts in Education Portal Spring Regional Day
Arts in Education Portal Spring Regional Day
25 April 2026
Our 2026 Spring Regional Day was held on Saturday 25 April at the Garage Theatre, Monaghan. It was a fun-filled day with lots of interesting conversations with peers, inspiring presentations and interactive workshops.
Dr. Katie Sweeney, Chair of the Arts in Education Portal and National Director for the Integration of the Arts in Education opened the day with insights into the area of creativity in education. Then Teresa McSorley, Director of Monaghan Education Centre, talked about opportunities in the North-East region, welcoming any artist or teacher interested to get in touch with their Education Centre.
Mindful Transitions – Learning Through Creativity
Next up, artists Sally-Ann Duffy & Caroline Clarke from Bailieborough Creative Hub shared a fascinating collaborative project between primary and secondary students which addressed anxieties around moving from primary to secondary school and beyond. It was wonderful to hear about interactions between the different age students and the long term relationships created and nurtured by this project.
View Sally-Ann and Caroline’s presentation Mindful Transitions – Learning Through Creativity below:
Watch short video’s of this Creative Cluster project exhibition – YouTube Shorts link
Waves and Wonders: A TAP Creative Project
Teacher Oonagh Gilsenan & Artist Rebecca Maguire shared their learnings from a TAP+ residency at Navan Educate Together N.S. that transformed a Senior Infants classroom into an ocean of imagination using the humble pebble! Their presentation was very hands-on: we learnt step by step how they structured the project and then we got to do the individual steps ourselves, creating colourful pebble characters and stories.
View Rebecca and Oonagh’s presentation – Waves and Wonders: A TAP Creative Project here
Groovin’ Out – Drumming workshop
After lunch, half of the participants joined musician Aidan Dunphy for a hands-on, interactive hand drumming session. Aidan is an incredible facilitator, putting everybody at ease and guiding the group through different rhythms and flows.
Creativity through Circus
The rest of the participants joined circus artist Maria Corcoran for playful circus skills and drama-based activities. This was a really active, fun workshop where we juggled, balanced feathers, hula hooped and more! It was fascinating to see Maria mapping out how these skills can be used in educational settings. Except a surge of circuses in the North-East region!
Thanks to all involved in making the day a huge success, especially the Garage Theatre who gave us all such a lovely welcome!
Drumming workshop with Aidan Dunphy at Portal Spring Regional Day 2026. Photos: Éilís Murphy
Circus Skills workshop with artist Maria Corcoran at 2026 Portal Spring Regional Day. Photo: Éilís Murphy
!!!! 2026 Portal Spring Regional Day – Programme Announced
Arts in Education Portal
Date: Saturday 25 April 2026
The Arts in Education Portal team is delighted to announce the full programme for our Spring Regional Day on Saturday 25 April at the Garage Theatre, Monaghan. This event will showcase arts in education projects and creative practice in the North-East region.
We invite teachers, artists, educators, arts managers and anyone with an interest in arts in education in Monaghan, Cavan, Louth, Meath, Westmeath and beyond to join us for this free event. This is an opportunity to connect, share ideas, get inspired, join a fun creative workshop and explore best practices in arts and creativity in education.
Practitioners can learn more about the Portal and what it offers, tell us about their work and find out what opportunities or events are available in their local area.
The programme starts with two presentations in the morning: Mindful Transitions: Learning Through Creativity with artists Sally-Ann Duffy & Caroline Clarke; Waves And Wonders: A TAP+ Creative Project with artist Rebecca Maguire & teacher Oonagh Gilsenan.
Read more about the presentations here
In the afternoon, join us for some hands-on creativity with a choice between two exciting workshops. Come to Groovin’ Out! with musician Aidan Dunphy for a hands-on, interactive hand drumming session. Alternatively, join circus artist Maria Corcoran for playful circus skills and drama-based activities with Creativity through Circus. These workshops promise to be interactive, fun and informative!
Read more about the workshops here
How to Book
Tickets for the 2026 Spring Regional Day are free. It is essential to book in advance as capacity is limited.
Book your place at https://artsineducationPortalRegionalDay2026.eventbrite.ie
ISL interpretation is available on request. If you would like to request ISL interpretation, please email events@artsineducation.ie by Wednesday 15 April.
Schedule
10:00 — Registration & coffee
10:30 — Welcome & introduction: Portal team and Monaghan Education Centre.
10:50 — Presentation: Mindful Transitions: Learning Through Creativity with artists Sally-Ann Duffy & Caroline Clarke
11:35 — Presentation & Workshop: Waves And Wonders: A TAP+ Creative Project with artist Rebecca Maguire & teacher Oonagh Gilsenan
12:45 — Lunch & networking
13:45 – 15:00 — Parallel session: Choice between two creative workshops:
Groovin’ Out! with musician Aidan Dunphy for a hands-on, interactive hand drumming session.
or
Creativity through Circus with circus artist Maria Corcoran for playful circus skills and drama-based activities.