Picnic in the Park
Upcoming Event 2025
Calling local performers, businesses and voluntary groups, who want to be involved in our Picnic in the Park
Contact us on socials or email to get details and a booking form!
Check out last year’s event below.
2024 Event
Kildare County Council’s Climate Action Office and Maynooth Community Council are pleased to announce that following the success of last year’s event, ‘Picnic in the Park’ will return for a second year, in Harbour Field, Maynooth on Sunday 16th June from 2 – 5.00pm. See below the various performers, workshops and information stalls as well as food vendors taking part this year. Special thanks to our sponsors, Kildare County Council, Intel Ireland and Life Credit Union without whom this event would not be possible.
Lucy Bell from Growing Wild will showcase her seed library and her experience for growing in community settings
Dr.Amy Fahy of MU will provide a display to explore energy creation as part of their IRESI work – https://www.iresi.eu.
Eoin McKeown Art illustrator will be working with Amy to help explore ideas for Fun Theory to create behavioural change.
Norman Dunne will have a stand to showcase Conservation Agriculture with BASE Ireland
Sam agus Nessa will host a workshop to create bug hotels from reclaimed, recycled and foraged materials. Participants will learn about different nesting materials and the importance of providing such habitats for our insect populations while creating their own nesting habitat to bring home.
Blueway Art Studio is a hub for art workshops and art projects that harness the energy of creativity, traditional skills, and Ireland’s compelling stories for the benefit and enjoyment of individuals, communities, and wider audiences. They collaborate with artists and communities who reimagine ways to communicate climate and system changes through creativity. Blueway are looking forward to hosting Eco-Printing on paper workshops and demonstrating sustainable art-making
The PACT team in the Department of Computer Science at Maynooth University have been training teachers in how to teach computational thinking skills since 2012 and have engaged over 30 000 teachers and students in computational thinking activities,
Willow Kite Making Dúlra Forest School in Kildare works with children, schools and communities to build harmonious and sustainable relationships with Nature and with each other.
Finn Crowe LEO
Economic Development Officer.
Local Enterprise Office Kildare is a unique branded enterprise support office with Kildare County Council.acting as a ‘one stop shop’ to deliver enterprise supports in the local region.
Helen Mulhall Just Transition Tourism Activator. Just transition is the term used to describe the transition to a climate-neutral economy while securing the future and livelihoods of workers and their communities.
The three local authorities of Wicklow, Meath, and Kildare County Councils have come together to address their combined climate mitigation ambitions through the formation of the Mid East Energy Unit.
Think Before You Flush is an environmental awareness campaign with a simple message. Protect our natural environment and wastewater network by only flushing the 3 Ps (pee, poo and paper) down the toilet. Everything else goes in the bin.
Paul McDonald – Active Travel
Active Travel is defined as ‘travelling with a purpose, using your own energy’. Walking, cycling, wheeling and using a non-motorised scooter to make journeys to work, school or the shops, for example, are all considered forms of Active Travel.
Tom Tierney will be on hand on Sunday to explain his no till system of farming to improve soil health and reduce use of pesticides.
Generous nature is all about inspiring people to incorporate herbs into their daily lives by exploring their beneficial uses. On the day Emma will lead a short walk to introduce people to the wild food & medicine growing all around us.
Win A Hotbin with the KCC Climate Action Team! The Hotbin is a specially designed composter that can deal with food and garden waste. No need for a brown bin as this composter converts organic waste into compost and liquid fertiliser. No odours or other nuisance due to its clever design. The Hotbin can be won by entering our draw at the composting demo area.
Local sustainable horticulture products producer Probio Carbon will attend to promote awareness about products which help crops, grass and plants to grow without damaging the environment.
Kildare Wildlife Rescue is a Non Profit Charity Organisation based in Kildare Town. KWR responds to cases of sick and injured wildlife throughout Kildare and further afield.
NIHBS will be talking about all things bees, beekeeping, their importance, planting that supports bees, and the treatment of non-native bees.
There will be an easy walk along the canal to view some common birds of Kildare with Birdwatch Ireland.
Our shared plate is a climate action project funded by Pobal which supports neighbourhoods to grow,cook and eat together.
Climate Comedy is an interactive show where comedians will use humour to explore everyday concerns around the climate crisis. There will also be materials for any mini eco warriors to create their own placard!
Diane O’Connor is a writer, stand-up comedian, environmentalist and a social entrepreneur. She is a regular on the comedy scene having played some of Ireland’s favourite festivals.. She is currently touring her show The Accidental Activist.
Anne Gill Bio
Anne Gill is an American actress and voice over artist based in Dublin. She has worked in film and television on both sides of the Atlantic.
Sive is a songwriter, musician and community artist based in Kildare. Having earned her stripes as a live performer over the past decade, she has shared stages with the likes of Lisa Hannigan, Gemma Hayes and Christy Moore, and has appeared on several television and radio shows including Other Voices. Her latest album ‘We Begin in Darkness’ was released in 2022 to critical acclaim, described as ‘hugely impressive’ by Paul McLoone on RTE Arena and ‘captivating’ by Hot Press Magazine. 2024 has been a busy year for Sive, with the release of a new song cycle called In Cloak & Womb which toured across folk festivals and heritage centres in the spring. Sive is also a Climate Ambassador and endeavours to use her platform as an artist to highlight environmental and social justice.
Climate Change is the defining challenge of a generation. The “Circus of Climate Horrors” is Ireland’s newest Climate Change outreach project, bringing real climate scientists, and our work, to new audiences in places where it might not be expected. Built and run by researchers at the Irish Climate Analysis and Research Units (ICARUS) Institute at Maynooth University, the Circus is a circus-themed big top tent featuring carnival style interactive games and demos that engage audiences with relevant, contemporary issues around carbon dioxide and its impact on our climate. The Circus is suitable for both families and adults from 8 to 88. Visitors leave with a sense of hope about our climate’s future alongside some practical understanding of what it will take to get us there.
Aidan Ring is a multi-prop fire, flow and circus performer, environmental activist and researcher. His unique experience in the fields of community-building, communications and mental health have generated a unique offering which combines his art form with environmental messaging. His performance has the aim of giving the audience a visual thrillride but also ideas about the Natural World that resonate.
Ceara Carney, actor, poet and climate activist will host a workshop for kids and adults to write and decorate poems.
Brendan O’Rourke is a live event caricature artist. Whether it’s the bride and groom’s big day or a family fun day in the park, I try to bring my artistic flair caricatures are a one-of-a-kind memento for your guests to take home and treasure forever
Collie Flower dog bandanas and scrunchies aren’t just accessories, they’re a way for pet parents to express their love and style, while also embracing eco-friendly fashion.
At Charm by Helen we make jewellery in classic and modern fun styles. Each piece is carefully handmade from high quality materials offering beautiful pieces that are affordably priced. We make necklaces, pendants , bracelets, earrings and specialise is healing gemstone pieces.
Quilts by Sarah will be selling a range of 100 % handmade in Ireland sewing and quilted household items.
Brilliant Events are Family Fun specialists who have been making children and parents happy since 1995. We have a wide variety of acts and artists including magicians, balloon modellers, face painters, stilts walkers, face painters, Santa, and more. We all love what we do so get in touch today to make your event Brilliant!
We welcome Handicrafts to our Picnic in the Park on June 16th with their artisanal organic vegan skin and daily care products with plantable packaging
Vanessa from The Craft Corner will do a drop in mending workshop along with the Zero Waste ladies swap shop while Eva’s Studio will be demonstrating arts and crafts using upcycled and recycled materials. A delightful mix of sustainable ideas!
Cathy from The Glass Doll will do a stall based on knitted goods, the Glass Doll stocks over 30 different types of wool.
Black Cat Crafts will be selling a selection of their products, bows and scrunchies, make-up bags, totes and pouches, key rings and key chains!
Our community theatre group An Nuadha Players will be on hand to chat with anyone who might like to join them or attend their upcoming summer show The Lady in the van!
Young Life Maynooth will have some photos & info flyers about what Young Life is and what activities we are running in Maynooth. We will have some outdoor games for kids / teenagers / adults to use, as well as some sweets!
Life Credit Union are delighted to participate in Picnic in the Park and are pleased to share our suite of products to the public, especially our Green Loan. Stop by the stand and see how Life CU can support the community
Maynooth Cycling Campaign will showcase their transport for the mobility impaired. The trishaw was a big hit last year!
Maynooth Tidy Towns will chat about their wonderful work in our town as well as giving information on the new Maynooth Heritage Trail!
Our wonderful St Mary’s Brass and Reed band will be providing entertainment. Don’t miss them at 3pm at the harbour!
Join Junior Einsteins Kildare for science fun bubbling potions, explosive experiments and a fun interactive experience!
8th Kildare Maynooth Scouts will be recruiting over 12s and adult volunteers, so if you are interested please come chat with them!
Three Sisters Books will have their wonderful selection of books for sale at the Picnic in the Park June 16th!
Come and see Peter Hamilton, Emer Conway (SEAI) and Michael Kenny from Maynooth Sustainable Energy Community for information and ideas for a more sustainable future in Maynooth.
Maynooth Kilcock Lions Club has served our community since 1981. We undertake charitable fundraising projects that support our community. We also support international campaigns through the Lions Club International Foundation.
Fun Foods catering, we can’t wait to see you all at the event. Come hungry! We will have crepes, waffles, doughnuts, Artisan Pizza and New York style hot dogs, and fresh squeezed lemonade!
The MAFT committee is assisting to make this year’s Picnic in the Park accessible for autistic people. If you or your child are autistic, please email autismfriendlytownmaynooth@gmail.com to arrange a MAFT Event Card. An autistic person and one caregiver/companion can use the card on the day to avoid queuing.
Mr Whippy will be selling ice creams at our Picnic in the Park June 16th !! Cash only so come prepared!
Dunne’s Farm Pastured Eggs We will have our own pasture raised Eggs, our honey, possibly potatoes and strawberries from McCarty’s farm in Straffan on the day.
Kildare Sports Partnership will organise games and sports events for the children with plenty of prizes for all!
A water refill station will be available on the day
Shoda Café will be there to supply snacks and drinks!
New Orient Maynooth providing a variety of Asian food and snacks: delectable dumplings, spice bags and an array of treats from the Mini Asia Market. With authentic taste of Shaking Tang’s milk tea and a delightful assortment of Asian-style goodies.
The Community Garda will be there, along with members of Maynooth Fire Station.
