A total of 5,000 juggling balls were distributed across Ireland for the return of Ireland's annual day to celebrate youth, Cruinniú na nÓg.
Cruinniú na nÓg is a day of free creative activities for children in Ireland. It took place between 12pm and 3pm today.
With more than 450 free creative events and activities, from pop-up dance performances to theatre workshops and circus acts to live music, it is the only day of its kind in the world.
Traces Dance Ensemble, a unique dance crew challenging perceptions about dance and disability, were one of the many groups performing.
Oftentimes their audience is shocked by their high standard, but Traces have a reputation for reshaping conceptions and focusing on what their dancers can do, not what they cannot.
Deirdre Grant, Co-Artistic Director of the group, said that Traces Dance are a wonderful group of young people.
"It's really important to get dance out there to all sections of the community. There’s so much ability, rather than disability.
"They love to dance. They love to share their ideas, to improvise and to gather together".
The inclusive dance crew set out to show that dance is for everyone, and that everyone can dance to a high level with some practice.
Dancer Seán Upton said they like to have everyone up dancing with them when they peform.
"I feel out of this world. It’s an honour to be here, so we're going to prove everyone wrong," he said.
Several professional dance artists have worked extensively with Traces Dance Ensemble over the 12 year history to develop new choreography and build on the extensive repertoire of their original works.
They featured in the 12th World Down Syndrome Congress in South Africa 2012 under the direction of founder Libby Seward.
Traces Dance Ensemble have danced for the President of Ireland and have performed at Youth Dance Festivals in Waterford, Dublin, Wexford and Birr.
They have enthralled audiences nationwide with thought-provoking contemporary dance performances since 2010, and there is certainly no stopping them now.
Cruinniú na nÓg is on tomorrow between 12pm and 3pm. Traces Dance Ensemble is a unique dance crew challenging perceptions about dance and disability and they are one of 450 performances on. @moscannail caught up with them as they prepared for the big day. @creativeirl | @RTE pic.twitter.com/a22gf1yVYy
— RTÉ news2day (@news2dayRTE) June 10, 2022
For Cruinniú na nÓg this year, Traces added Traces Óg, a younger branch of their crew.
"Dancing is my talent and it makes me happy," Zoe McAuliffe, a dancer in Traces, said before the show.
"I hope we enjoy ourselves. I'm so excited to see our fans and I'm looking forward to seeing my parents.
"We have tonnes of fans, lots. I hope they support us and enjoy the show".
Cultural Project Manager for Waterford City and County Council Katherine Collins said that Traces expressing themselves through dance is exactly what Cruinniú na nÓg is about, describing that aspect as "really important".
"People might feel that they're not good at maths or might not be good at sport, but they’re really creative.
"Just to see how people express themselves through their movement alone. The joy and the happy faces, to see it as part of Cruinniú na nÓg is just amazing."
Speaking at the launch of Cruinniú na nÓg in Kilruddery House in Co Wicklow, Minister for Tourism, Culture and Arts Catherine Martin said that it is time for young people to try new things.
"It’s the perfect time to try something new like circus skills, animation, live music, contemporary dance, theatre, the list is endless," she said.
