Dublin local family event guide. Friday 20th – Thursday 26th September 2019

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Take a look at the family friendly events happening in and around Dublin 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.

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Culture Night

When The evening of September 20th
Where Across Ireland
How much? Free – some events need to be prebooked
Ages suitable for? All ages, due to it being in the evening, we hope you will find some suitable events to enjoy early on with your family

Here is the link to find the family friendly events happening in Dublin.

Culture Night 2019 – Wrap up in culture, as venues and public spaces across the island of Ireland open their doors to host a programme of free late-night entertainment, as part of an all-island celebration of arts, heritage and culture.

On Culture Night, arts and cultural organisations and venues of all shapes and sizes, including the National Cultural Institutions, extend their opening hours to allow for increased access to the public. Special and unique events and workshops are specifically programmed at participating locations and everything is available free of charge. The celebration has grown from a relatively small scale cultural event staged only in Dublin in 2006 to the significant national cultural event it now is, with some 400,000 people visiting museums, galleries, historic houses, artists’ studios and cultural centres across the island. The initiative has captured both the public imagination and the enthusiasm of artists and cultural organisations.

For one night only the island of Ireland become your FREE cultural playground, explore YOUR surroundings! (Some Culture Night events require booking).


When Saturday 21st September at 3pm
Where St Anne’s Park, The Stables
How much? Free – book tickets here
Ages suitable for? The whole family (movie is G rated, family suitable)

We are delighted to be of the all new redstablesfestival.ie. A festival connecting food, nature and sustainability through a series of talks, demos and tours, and a celebration of local food and producers in the surroundings of St Anne’s Park. We are in the middle of an environmental breakdown and need to act accordingly. these screenings and this festival are about spreading that awareness.

The first of our two FREE screenings is The Lorax at 3pm ( The second is Thank You For The Rain at 6pm ). We will be on the grass beside the carpark at the Red Stables for these daytime screenings, all welcome!

In the walled city of Thneed-Ville, where everything is artificial and even the air is a commodity, a boy named Ted hopes to win the heart of his dream girl, Audrey. When he learns of her wish to see a real tree, Ted seeks out the Once-ler, a ruined old businessman outside of town in a stark wasteland. Upon hearing of how the hermit gave into his greed for profits and devastated the land over the protests of the Lorax, Ted is inspired to undo the disaster. However, the greedy Mayor of Thneed-Ville, Aloysius O’Hare, has made his fortune exploiting the environmental collapse and is determined to stop the boy from undermining his business.

Bring blankets, seats, cushions and warm things, there will be food available from The Olive Room and The Saturday Market.


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Family Concert: Pirates, Parrots, And Pieces Of Eight

When Saturday 21st September at 11.30 and 1pm
Where National Concert Hall
How much? €12 discounts available
Ages suitable for? Designed for 4-12 year olds and their families, all are welcome!

Arrr!  Come ye land lubbers and scurvy dogs!  Gather the family for an interactive concert with the Echo Band, featuring favourite sea songs and shanties with a jazzy twist! 

Join us fer tales o’ adventure, hidden booty and buccaneers.  Hoist the Jolly Roger, set course for the high seas, and watch out or we’ll all end up in Davy Jones’ locker.

Lots o’ participation promised to keep all our younger audience members involved and entertained.


From bodhrans to Ukuleles Temple Bar will be Celebrating 2 days of music.

Times: 12-3.00pm

Dates: Saturday 21st and Saturday 28th September

Location: Crampton Court, Temple Bar, Dublin 2 (outdoors)

Entry: FREE

2 weekends of live traditional song, dance and music by Irish and international groups from Lativa, Poland, Estonia, Ukraine and Ireland.

Irish groups include Craobh Sean Treacy Music Group and Ukulele Tuesday

Each group will be dressed in national costume,

Come along and join in the fun.


On Sunday the 22nd of September, College Green will go car-free as part of European Mobility Week, which runs from the 16th to the 22nd of September 2019. From 12pm to 4pm, College Green will be closed to motorised traffic to demonstrate the environmental and health benefits of a more sustainable urban mobility culture.

The theme of this year’s European Mobility Week is “Safe Walking and Cycling”, which focuses on the importance of walking and cycling and the positive impacts they can have on our health, our bank balance and our environment. This is a free event for the whole family with lots of fun activities, including e-bike and cargo bike demos, Spokeswoman cycle tour, and a live BMX stunt show.

Attendees will also have an opportunity view a photo display of the changing city landscape, as well as taking part in Mindful Walking and Sculpture Building with The Dublin Culture Company.



Summer Kids’ Drop-by Activities

When Sunday’s,
Workshops begin at 11.00am, 11.30am, 3.00pm & 3.30pm and last about 20-30min

Where National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin
How much? Free
Ages suitable for? children 4+ and their adult

Kids, join us for fun activities in the dedicated Children’s Erasmus Education Garden! Each week we will have a different activity to help you to become an expert gardener. Sow your own vegetable and flower seeds, make seed bombs, design bug hotels or re-use everyday things to create your own piece of eco-art. Check out our Facebook page to find out the week’s activity in advance!


FREE Nutrition workshop this Sunday from 11am-1pm in the Phoenix Park Visitor Centre. Bring along the bikes, have fun in the playground or make your own fun exploring the great grounds of Phoenix park and then pop in for some nutrition activities!!!


Family-friendly tour

When Sunday’s 12.30-1.15pm
Where National Gallery of Ireland, Merrion Square West, Dublin 2
How much? Free
Ages suitable for? All families welcome

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.

All welcome; no booking necessary.


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Sunday Sketching

When Sunday from 3-4pm
Where Dublin City Gallery, The Hugh Lane
How much? Free, no booking required, although places may be limited.
Ages suitable for? Children 6+ and their families

During these free sketching workshopsfor families we invite you to explore and respond to our collection and temporary exhibitions through discussion and drawing.

Bring your own sketchbook or avail of the materials provided.


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Early Years Workshops for 1-3 Year Olds

Thursday 26th September, 11am-Noon

During this class for 1-3 year olds with artist Ashleigh Downey we will be exploring sights and sounds and be immersed in a sensory world of simple shapes, colours and textures. Fee €7, booking through eventbrite.ie required here.


Pre book the events below for future family fun

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BigKidLittleKid

When Friday 27th September at 10.15 and 12.15. Sat 28th and Sun 29th at 2pm and 4pm.
Where The ARK, Temple Bar
How much? €12.50 per person
Ages suitable for? 3-6 year olds and their grown ups

BigKidLittleKid is a quirky, playful, energetic and engaging look at being on your own and being with someone else; and how size can really matter.

BigKidLittleKid promises to delight and enchant its audiences with its unique and wordless take on the complicated world of sibling rivalry.

Created by Anna Newell, described by The Guardian as “a hero of children’s theatre” and by the Irish Times as an “early years theatre pioneer” with music by David Goodall, with whom Anna has created shows for early years audiences that have been seen on 5 continents and off-Broadway.


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Kidspace x Fearless Moves Floor Fillers Brunch

We’re hosting a Fearless Moves Floor Fillers session and brunch at kidspaceindoorplay in Rathcoole on Sun 29th Sept at 10am. 

It’s perfect for Mums and Dads who want to get a sweat on while the kids are having active fun in the play frames!

The ticket price also includes entry for 2 kids (worth €17)

Enjoy brunch afterwards with options for kids and parents! All the ticket deets are here: https://bit.ly/2K5Yt9W

Fearless Moves is a fitness event series that features a deadly music theme, a whopper instructor and most importantly, delish food after the workout session.


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Bosco and Sleeping Beauty 

When Sunday 29th Sept, 12pm and 2pm
Where dlr Mill theatre, Dundrum
How much? €12 (under 2’s free but you must book them a seat)
Ages suitable for? All ages

Bosco is Bosco, not a boy, not a girl, just a Bosco: a cheeky, lovely, funny, slightly-cracked, irrepressible, eternal five-year-old who lives in a box and who loves nothing more than to just be Bosco and meet all the boys and girls.

After starring on Irish TV for three decades, you’ll see why Bosco remains a firm favourite for each new generation.

Enjoy the enchanted story of Sleeping Beauty where an evil Fairy-Night filled with jealousy try’s to harm Beauty but luckily she has very good fairy friends. With its brilliant array of Characters, lots of fun and excitement through this completely interactive live experience with the absolute magic of Puppet Theatre

Duration 75 mins no interval

Under 2s require a seat, these are FOC but you must select a seat when booking.


Stick by Me

When 

Tue 1 & Wed 2 Oct @ 3pm 
Wed 2 & Thu 3 Oct @ 10.15am & 12.15pm 

Relaxed Performance Wed 2 Oct @ 12.15pm
Where The Ark, Temple Bar
How much? €12.50
Ages suitable for? 3-6 year olds and their adults

It’s a stick. It’s just a stick.’

But for one, all alone, this stick has something special. And soon the two are the best of friends. They run, play, hide and rest…and stick together when things get tough.

Beautifully crafted, making treasure from everyday objects, Stick by Me is a joyful show about friendship and play, and the importance of treasuring little things.

Created by the duo behind critically acclaimed White – Andy Manley and Ian Cameron – Stick by Me builds on their vast experience of creating performances for very young children.


We hope that you have a great week.

ClapHandies run regular baby massage courses suitable for babies 6 weeks – 9 months. As well as benefits for your baby, it’s a really great way to make some new friends at the same stage of parenting as you are.

ClapHandies PlayLabs  happen around the Dublin area during term time. If you have a baby, wobbler or toddler, why don’t you book and join one of our PlayLabs?

If you are looking to organise a party for your little one maybe we can help?

We offer classic parties for pre-schoolers, then once your little one is at school we offer themed parties that children seem to LOVE!

Take a look at RealParties for more details.

Do you have an event you would like us to promote?

Please email marie@claphandies.com giving as much notice as possible and if suitable we will try our best to add it to our weekly event guide.

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