Local family event guide – Friday 4th – Thursday 10th May 2018
Tags: Children's activities Dublin, Family friendly activities, This weekend in Dublin, Weekend fun in Dublin, Whats on Dublin
There are many fun activities happening over the next week for you to enjoy.
Please check that they are still running before setting out, as sometimes even the best events have to be postponed.
A Life of Play by Emma O’Kane
Grandchildren bring your Grandparents!
Come and take part in A LIFE OF PLAY where everyone can create, anyone can dance and all can play. Use your body, move to music, dress up and explore in a playground of the imagination – a place of mischievous, magical invention where fun feels right at home.
Where Project Arts Centre. all as part of Bealtaine @ Temple Bar and Dublin Dance Festival.
How much? Free
Ages suitable for A LIFE OF PLAY is a creative dance and play project for children aged 5 -10 and their older family members aged 50+
We kick off our new monthly early-years programme Seedlings with a special workshop perfect for children ages 2-4 to get creative with their older relatives.
Led by an inspiring early years artist, enjoy a fun, interactive workshop together with your grandchild or young relative – an experience that will stimulate imaginations of all ages!
Where The Ark, 11a Eustace St, Temple Bar, Dublin 2
How much? €11.50/€8.50 per child (20% off for members).
Ages suitable for 2-3 and 3-4 year olds and their adults

Sing Along Adventures with the Rí Rá Rag Tag Band
Sing Along Adventures is an interactive musical exploration for children. Join our ragtag team of musicians on a journey through songs from around the world, and follow our musical map on our quest to find the magic cherry blossom tree!
A combination of live music, movement, and storytelling, Sing Along Adventures features tales from Zambia, Japan, and ancient Ireland, from an enchanted harp that can put people to sleep, to a turtle who can make it rain by playing a drum!
Where The National Concert Hall – Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2 in the Kevin Barry Recital Room
How much? Child: €10 Adult: free of charge, all children must be accompanied by an adult (maximum 1 adult per child)
Ages suitable for The event is primarily intended for children aged 3-7, however we do ask a parent/guardian to be present. Join in the fun on this singing, dancing musical adventure!
Fishy Business!
Where National Museum of Ireland, Kildare Street (Archaeology)
How much? Free
Ages suitable for children 8+

Woolapalooza Farm Festival
hrilling sheepdog trials with Denis Birchall, Ireland’s One Man & His Dog Champion, Barber Rodney and his super sheep shears, live music and dancing at the Woolapalooza Céilí, drop-in craft sessions for kids and adults, butchery and bakery demonstrations, Fire & Grill BBQ all day with Robin Gill and Luke Matthews, heritage house tours and storytelling, a giant knitting bee, yarn bombing, craft stalls, brunch in Overends Kitchen and so much more.
Woolapalooza Farm Festival 2018 is a fantastic Bank Holiday must do!
Where Airfield Estate, Dundrum, Dublin
How much? Tickets are bought on the gate and are €10 per adult and €5 per child and under 3 go free!
Ages suitable for the whole family
Sunday Kids drop by activities
Kids, join us for fun activities in the dedicated Children’s Garden. Sow seeds, make seed bombs, design bug hotels and re-use everyday items to create your own piece of eco art
When Sunday at 11.00am, 11.30am, 3.00pm & 3.30pm.
Where Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin
How much? Free
Ages suitable for Suitable from ages 4 and up. All children must bring their own grown up. No bookings required, first come first served.

Drop-in family session
Join us for a free art-making workshop where children and their parents/guardians/carers are encouraged to work together on creative projects.
Drop-in and stay for as long (or as little!) as you wish!
Where National Gallery of Ireland, Merrion Square West, Dublin 2
How much? Admission is free and no booking is required.
Ages suitable for These workshops are suitable for children of all ages.

Family-friendly tour
Join us for a special tour designed for children and their guardians, parents and carers.
Our aim is to make the artworks fun and engaging for kids, and to welcome families and visitors of all ages and encourage them to feel comfortable in the Gallery.
Where National Gallery of Ireland, Merrion Square West, Dublin 2
How much? Free
Ages suitable for All welcome; no booking necessary

Sunday Sketching – Red and blue
The vibrant colours of Brian Duggan’s neon light artwork will inspire this Sunday Sketching Session Red + Blue. Explore contrasts with artist Kathryn Maguire and let the lines fill the space of the page.
During these free sketching workshops for families, we invite you to explore and respond together to our collection and temporary exhibitions through discussion and drawing. Bring your own sketchbook or avail of the drawing materials provided.
Where Dublin City Gallery, The Hugh Lane
How much? Free
Ages suitable for children aged 6+ and their adults
EXPLORER Family Workshops
Get creative together as a family, explore artworks with IMMA staff, and enjoy a hands-on workshop in the galleries.
When Sundays from 2-4 until May 27th
Where Irish Museum of Modern Art, Royal Hospital, Kilmainham, Dublin 8
How much? Free, just drop in
Ages suitable for everyone
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dlr Spring into Heritage 2018
As part of the dlr Spring into Heritage season, you can visit attractions for free on the following days of the week. Some you can just turn up to and others need booking. Their website appears not to be working, so all info below was taken from Facebook. These tours run until May 27th.
JAMES JOYCE TOWER & MUSEUM:
Two Guided Tours 10.30am & 2.30pm
NO BOOKING REQUIRED.
All Tours are FREE.
NATIONAL MARITIME MUSEUM OF IRELAND:
One Guided Tour at 11am
This tour must be pre-booked via the museum.
Email: bookings@mariner.ie
TEL: 01 214 3964
TEL: 01 280 0969
W: mariner.ie
CABINTEELY HOUSE:
Four Guided Tours
11am to 3pm with the last tour at 2pm.
NO BOOKING REQUIRED.
All tours are FREE.
JAMES JOYCE TOWER & MUSEUM:
Two Guided Tours
10.30am and 2.30 pm.
NO BOOKING REQUIRED.
All tours are FREE.
JAMES JOYCE TOWER & MUSEUM:
Two Guided Tours
10.30am and 2.30pm
NO BOOKING REQUIRED.
All tours are FREE
NATIONAL MARITIME MUSEUM:
One Guided Tour at 11am
This tour must be pre-booked via the museum.
Email: bookings@mariner.ie
TEL: 01 214 3964
TEL: 01 280 0969
W: mariner.ie
THE ORATORY DÚN LAOGHAIRE:
Four Guided Tours
11am-3pm on the hour with the last tour at 2pm.
NO BOOKING REQUIRED.
All tours are FREE.
SEAPOINT MARTELLO TOWER:
Four Guided Tours
11am-3pm on the hour with the last tour at 2pm.
NO BOOKING REQUIRED.
All tours are FREE.
JAMES JOYCE TOWER & MUSEUM:
Two Guided Tours
10.30am & 2.30pm.
NO BOOKING REQUIRED.
All tours are FREE.
MARLAY HOUSE:
Four Guided Tours
11am to 3pm tours on the hour with the last tour at 2pm.
NO BOOKING REQUIRED.
All tours are FREE.
JAMES JOYCE TOWER & MUSEUM:
Two Guided Tours
10.30am & 2.30pm
NO BOOKING REQUIRED.
All Guided Tours are FREE.
MARLAY HOUSE:
Four Guided Tours
1pm-5pm Tours on the hour with the last tour at 4pm.
NO BOOKING REQUIRED.
All Guided Tours are FREE.
LAURELMERE COTTAGE, MARLAY PARK:
Two Guided Tours.
10am & 11am
NO BOOKING REQUIRED.
All Guided Tours are FREE.
SEAPOINT MARTELLO TOWER:
Four Guided Tours
1pm-5pm on the hour with the last tour at 4pm.
NO BOOKING REQUIRED.
All Guided Tours are Free.
THE ORATORY DÚN LAOGHAIRE:
Four Guided Tours
1pm-5pm Tours on the hour with the last tour at 4pm.
NO BOOKING REQUIRED.
All Guided Tours are FREE.
JAMES JOYCE TOWER & MUSEUM:
Two Guided Tours
10.30am & 2.30pm.
NO BOOKING REQUIRED.
All Guided Tours are FREE.
________________________________________________________
Pre book or add dates to your diary for future family fun.

Bealtaine Festival: Cards of Encouragement
Bring an older relative with you for this card making workshop led by artist Rebecca Shelford. When you have finished making your card, pen words of encouragement to exchange with one another.
Where Dublin City Gallery, The Hugh Lane
How much? €5 booking required – 01 222 5550
Sion Hill Summer Fair
Come along and support this fabulous school fair. With games, tombola, BBQ, tea, cakes and lots of fun for ALL of the family, there is also a raffle with FABULOUS prizes.
Where Dominican college, Sion Hill, Cross Avenue, Blackrock
Ages suitable for the whole family
National Drawing Day!: Storyboard how the Ardagh Chalice was lost and found!
To celebrate National Drawing Day, join award-winning children’s illustrator Mark Wickham to storyboard how the Ardagh Chalice was discovered. The chalice and its hoard were hidden away in the 9th century; a time when the Vikings first travelled to Ireland and raided monasteries in the search for treasure and precious objects. The hoard was rediscovered 150 years ago by a boy digging potatoes at a ringfort and today, remains one of Ireland’s most iconic objects.
Where National Museum of Ireland, Kildare Street (Archaeology)
How much? Free, booking Required, please email educationarch@museum.ie or call 01-6486 332.
Ages suitable for 6-10 year olds
National Drawing Day: Mini-Museum
Join us to create your own mini-artwork to be displayed in a mini-museum in this art workshop
Where Dublin City Gallery, The Hugh Lane
How much? €5 Early booking recommended as places are limited. To book please call 01 222 5550.
Ages suitable for children 6-10 years and their adults
The Toddler Take Over 2018 **EVENTS HERE USUALLY BOOK UP***
A host of wonderful artists and art forms awaits you to see, hear and experience new adventures during our Toddler Take Over Adventure 2018! Draíocht’s Toddler Take Over, now in its 4th Year, celebrates the limitless imagination of the very young child and the magic that happens when it is combined with the world of artists and the arts. With a combination of book-in and free drop-in events, children are invited to explore synaesthesia with Sights and Sounds and think about really important questions:
HOW BIG IS A SHADOW?
HOW DOES MUSIC MAKE ME MOVE?
CAN I DRAW WITHOUT A PENCIL?
For this one day, Draíocht transforms into a big space for adventure through story, visual arts, music, circus and dance for the very young. Scribble and draw inspired by Sharon Kelly’s exhibition, dance, move and see a mysterious and strange land of domes and shapes in our Main Auditorium, discover musicians playing, Roll Up with the circus, dance with shadows, watch a film unfold and more. Children are invited to bring their insatiable curiosity and their adults to explore, discover new art forms, create, play, dance, draw, sing and nurture creative potential, while having fun too.
Where Draíocht The Blanchardstown Centre Dublin 15
How much? €5 Advance booking essential on tel: 01-8852622
Ages suitable for 1-4 years

Learn To Play Music Day 2018
Ever wondered what it would be like to play a piano, pluck a violin string or blow into a saxophone? Well, now you can with Castleknock School of Music’s ‘Learn to Play Music Day’, where you can come and try an instrument. There are also ‘Mini Music Classes’ available for ages 6 months to 7 years. This promises to be a great afternoon to learn a little about music and have some fun.
Ages / Mini Music & Instrumental Classes / Times
6-24 mths / Mini Music: Busy Babies / 1.30-2.00pm
2-3 Yrs / Mini Music: Bonny Bluebirds / 2.10-2.40pm
3-4 Yrs / Mini Music: Red Robins / 2.50-3.20pm
4-5 Yrs / Mini Music: Pink Bears / 3.30-4.00pm
5-6 Yrs / Try it Out: Pathway to Piano / 3.30-4.00pm
5-6 Yrs / Mini Music: Yellow Bunnies / 4.00-4.30pm
5-6 Yrs / Try it Out: Adventures in Violin / 4.30-5.00pm
6-7 Yrs / Try it Out: Adventures in Violin / 3.30-4.00pm
6-7 Yrs / Try it Out: Gateway to Guitar / 4.00-4.30pm
6-7 Yrs / Mini Music: Green Frogs / 4.30-5.00pm
6-7 Yrs / Try it Out: Pathway to Piano / 5.00-5.30pm
7+ Yrs / Try it Out: Adventures in Violin / 4.00-4.30pm
7+ Yrs / Try it Out: Pathway To Piano / 4.30-5.00pm
7+ Yrs / Try it Out: Gateway to Guitar / 5.00-5.30pm
8+ Yrs / Try it Out: Flute/Clarinet/Sax / 2.50-3.30pm
Where Draíocht The Blanchardstown Centre Dublin 15
How much? €5 per child per session, accompanying adult free
Ages suitable for 6 month – 8+ years

Roald Dahl’s Fantastic Mr. Fox
Following on from the Sell-Out Success of Summer 2017’s James & the Giant Peach, this year Mill Productions will be bringing another Roald Dahl Classic to the dlr Mill Theatre stage in June 2017 – Fantastic Mr Fox! This production will certainly end the academic year on a high note but it will book out fast so please book early! Directed by Geoff O’Keeffe, with Matthew O’Brien as Mr Fox and Evelyn Shaw as Mrs Fox and a supporting cast.
When 13th – 24th Jun at 2pm and 4pm
Where dlr Mill Theatre Dundrum Town Centre Dublin 16
How much? Full price:€16 / Children U12: €14 / Family of 4: €55 /Groups of 10+: €12 (to book a group please contact Box Office
Ages suitable for ages 4+. Duration approx 1 hour with no interval.

Donal Vaughan Science Magic
Triple-award-winning Irish comedian and scientist Donal Vaughan brings his hugely popular science and comedy show back to dlr Mill Theatre. With some brand new tricks and some old favourites too, learn about science using everyday objects and laugh your pants off while you do it. You too can become a science wizard and amaze your family and friends.
Where dlr Mill Theatre Dundrum Town Centre Dublin 16
How much? €9
Ages suitable for children 5+ and their adults