Mayo town venue launches creative space for TY students

The Linenhall Arts Centre in Castlebar is excited to announce ‘Creative 3rd Space’, a brand-new, free after-school programme created especially for Transition Year students looking to explore their creative side, try something new, and lead their own projects.

Kicking off with free taster sessions on Thursday, September 18 from 7pm to 8.30pm and Saturday, September 20 from 2pm to 3.30pm, the programme invites students to dive into improv, music, spoken word, digital storytelling and more. Unlock a creative mindset, collaborate, experiment, and connect with others. All in a relaxed, welcoming space. 

“This isn’t about sitting back and being told what to do, it’s about giving young people the space, tools, and encouragement to take creative risks, connect with others, and develop their own voice”, says Fiona Neary, CoDirector at The Linenhall. She continues, “All sessions are completely free and you can just drop into the taster sessions.”

Following the tasters, Creative 3rd Space will continue weekly on Thursday evenings. Completely free of charge, students are given an ongoing opportunity to collaborate, create, and connect with other young people.

Leading the sessions is Fiona Keane, an experienced and dynamic creative facilitator known for her collaborative, youth-led approach to arts and storytelling.

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Creative 3rd Space is not your typical workshop. It’s a vibrant, hands-on space where participants shape the content, steer the direction, and are supported to develop their ideas from scratch. Whether you're into performing, producing, writing, designing or just figuring it out, this is your chance to take creative risks, build new skills, and have fun along the way.

Separately, the Linenhall’s event programme in September is brimming, with plenty for audiences. ‘Harps Alive An Chruit Bheo’ on Sunday, September 14, brings some of Ireland’s finest harpers together in a celebration of tradition, creativity, and connection. 

Experience the artistry of Mayo’s own Gráinne Hambly alongside Aisling Lyons, Gráinne Meyer, Cormac de Barra, and Michael Rooney, joined by Castlebar favourites, the Music Generation Harp Collective.

Free daytime and nighttime events on Friday, September 19 mark Culture Night 2025. ‘The Margaret Burke Sheridan Trail’ celebrates the great international opera singer at various locations throughout Castlebar.

Mayo’s Niall McCabe joins fiddle and viola player Nollaig Casey and the incomparable multi-instrumentalist Mike McGoldrick on Thursday, September 25 for this sensational collaboration of three extraordinary artists. 

See www.thelinenhall.com or contact 094 9023733 for more information.

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