Dublin local family event guide. Friday 11th – Thursday 17th October 2019
Tags: Children's activities Dublin, Event Guide Dublin, This weekend in Dublin, Weekend fun in Dublin, Whats on Dublin
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.
Junior Open House 2019
When Sunday 13 October, 2-3.30pm
Where Dublin City Gallery, The Hugh Lane
How much? Free
Ages suitable for? 7-12 year olds
Join artist Jane Fogarty for this collaborative art workshop for 7-12 year olds when we will fast forward to imagine how our rapidly changing city might look like. How will we travel around? What will our parks, playgrounds and buildings look like? Will this be a living, vibrant city with a place for nature and community? This is a free, drop in workshop. No booking required although numbers may be limited.
Open House tour for families
Join the National Gallery of Ireland, Merrion Square West for an exciting family-friendly tour exploring the architecture of the Gallery, from the grey concrete walls of the Millennium Wing to the soaring Courtyard with a view of the sky!
This tour is part of Dublin’s Open House Festival of architecture.
We are offering Open House tours for families at the following times:
- Saturday, 12 October at 12pm and 1pm
- Sunday, 13 October at 2pm and 3pm
Drop in family workshop – Costume Creations
When Sunday drop in between 11.30-1.30pm
Where National Gallery of Ireland, Merrion Square West, Dublin 2
How much? Free
Ages suitable for? Children of all ages and their adult
At our weekly drop-in workshop, 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.
Suitable for children of all ages, these workshops take place in the Maples Group Creative Space in our Atrium.
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.
Splish, Splash, Squash
When Tuesday 15th October at 10am and again at 12
Where Draíocht Galleries, The Blanchardstown Centre, Dublin 15
How much? €5 call to book – 01 8852622
Ages suitable for? 2-4 year olds and their adult – suitable for 1 adult 1 child (without siblings)
This series of individual monthly workshops is intended to allow you and your child to explore different art mediums in an open and undirected way. There will be mess but there will also be fun! Cost: €5 per child per workshop (accompanying adult is free). Box Office on 01-8852622.
Anne Cradden will lead you on this journey of experimentation … splishing, splashing and squashing with paint, paint brushes, fingers … and toes! You need to dress for mess for this one!
WORKSHOP NOTES
These workshops are designed for children aged 2-4 years. Please respect age limits as each workshop has been designed especially for this age range. All children must be accompanied by an adult and all adults must be accompanied by a child. These sessions are only suitable for one parent/guardian and accompanying child (without siblings).
Pre book the events below for future family fun
Decorated Pumpkin Competition
When October 19, 2019 @ 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Where National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin
How much? Free
Ages suitable for? Everyone!
Take part in our decorated pumpkin competition and your pumpkin can be part of a fantastic exhibition to be displayed in the Teak House. This unique event is a big hit with our visitors every year. Please carefully read and fill in this form to take part in this spooktacular event:
Please remember we cannot accept any carved, cut or pierced pumpkins. Entries will only be accepted on Saturday 19th of October from 10.00am – 4.00pm
Judging will take place at 6pm on Saturday 19th so no entries cannot be accepted after 4.00pm Saturday
Prize giving for the Decorated Pumpkin Competition will be on Sunday 20th at 12.00pm
Free Family Day: Meet The Artist, Make Some Art
When Saturday 19th October from 12-3pm
Where Draíocht Galleries, The Blanchardstown Centre, Dublin 15
How much? Free
Ages suitable for? Families
Families are invited to spend time in the Gallery, interact with the artworks and respond to the compositions, materials, patterns, textures and themes that they encounter through creative and interactive workshops facilitated by exhibiting artist Catherine Barron.
FAMILY DAY NOTES:
Sessions Are Free, But Space Is Limited. Max 50 per workshop.
Session 1: 12PM-12.50PM
Session 2: 1PM-1.50PM
Session 3: 2PM-2.50PM
Dress for Mess. Unless otherwise stated workshops are designed for children from 5-10 years, though younger and older siblings are welcome to take part. Please be aware that Draíocht’s Family Days are not designed for groups. All children must be accompanied by an adult and all adults must be accompanied by a child!
When Sat 26th Oct at 4pm and 7pm
Where dlr Mill Theatre, Dundrum Town Centre, Dundrum, Dublin 16
How much? €8 – tickets can be booked here
Ages suitable for? 4-12 year olds and their adults
Being a vampire sucks, but being Dracula’s younger brother is
driving Jackula batty.
Join Jackula on a spooktacular quest to to step out of his older brother’s shadow and become the world’s first fun vampire. Laugh as Jackula makes his pet ghost dance. Gasp as Jackula balances five glasses of water on his face. Smile as children help him perform spellbinding tricks. An inspirational Halloween magic show about staying true to yourself. The show is performed by Jeff Keough who has entertained at The White House, Lenister House, and his daughter’s Senior Infant Class.
Jackula has been recommended by the Irish Times. The Irish Independent said Jackula is “Family fun guaranteed.” Book now as Jackula regularly sells out. This show is for children aged 4-12. Show time: 80 minutes
Spooky Science!
When Sat 26th – Mon 28th Oct: 11am & 2pm,
Tues 29th – Thu 31st Oct: 11am
Where Cool Planet Experience, Powerscourt Estate, Co Wicklow
How much? €20 per child
Ages suitable for? 6-12 year olds
Join us as spooky science festivities take over Cool Planet Experience this October mid-term. Kids will release their mad scientist by stepping into our spooktacular lab experience, where oozing, bubbling potions, glowing slime and fang-tastic explosions are sure to delight.
Explore the spookier side of chemistry to discover how a 1°C change can unleash mind-boggling chain reactions.
Samhain
Samhain, everybody’s favourite phantasmal forest of fright will materialise before your very eyes in Marlay Park on Sunday October 27th 2019. The annual spookfest is back in all its gory glory with the sounds, shadows and creatures of the night that only appear in Marlay Park once a year on the haunted forest walk.
Dress your worst, in your most freakily frightening costume and join us this for this unique fright in the forest. But remember, once you enter the haunted forest walk there is no controlling the spectral spirits so do not get too close.
We want to see you in your Halloween costumes but remember Samhain is an outdoor event so warm clothing is recommended. The walk is approx. 1.7km long on a path suitable for buggies and wheelchairs. The 3.30pm walk at Samhain will be tailored to suit people with special needs. This means that music and sound effects will be quieter, special effects and lighting will be softer and we will limit the number of visitors in comparison to other entry times in order to reduce queuing times in so far as is practicable.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
The Haunted Forest Walk will be open between 3.30pm and 8.30pm and Entry is FREE but by WRISTBAND ONLY. Entry times to queue for the Haunted Forest Walk are printed on your wristband. Times are: 3.30pm, 4pm, 4.30pm, 5pm, 5.30pm, 6pm, 6.30pm, 7pm, 7.30pm and 8pm. There will be no fireworks display at the event.
WRISTBAND COLLECTION
There is no online booking or purchase system for Wristbands to go to Samhain. Wristbands can only be obtained by collection in person at the Cricket Pitch in Marlay Park on Saturday October 19th and Sunday October 20th from 2pm each day.
- Wristbands will be available while stocks last or until 4pm on a strictly first come
first served basis, limited to six per family. - You can collect wristbands for the 3.30pm walk only, which will be tailored to suit people with special needs, by using the signposted fast track collection lane.
- Parking for wristband collection is in the College Road Car Park of Marlay Park only.
- Please do not park on Grange Road, in local estates or roads surrounding Marlay Park.
After Dark
When Thursday 31st October at 6.15pm
Where St Patricks Cathedral
How much? Free, but you must get a ticket click here
Ages suitable for? all ages
Join us this All Hallows’ Eve for another candlelit recital of suitably chilling music including Dukas Sorcerer’s Apprentice, Bach Toccata and Fugue in D minor, Saint-Saens Danse Macabre, Grieg In the hall of the mountain King with just a little musical meddling from Harry Potter.
Join us this All Hallows’ Eve for a candlelit recital of suitably chilling music including Saint-Saens Danse Macabre, Gounod’s Funeral March of a Marionette, John Williams’ Hedwig’s Theme and Bach’s immortal Toccata and Fugue in D minor – all of which should send a terrifying shiver up your spines!
Suitable for all ages – but not the faint hearted!
Stuart Nicholson organ · Victoria Green guitar · Michael Lee narrator
plus a special guest appearance by the late Alfred Hitchcock!
Admission Free · Retiring Collection in aid of Jack and Jill Foundation
Free but registration required
The concert will conclude with a retiring collection in aid of BARNADOS.
Sam and the giants breakfast
When Saturday 2nd November
Where National Concert Hall, Ballsbridge
How much? €12, discounts available
Ages suitable for? aimed at 6-12 year olds and their adults
Sam is bored, so very bored. He complains about it all the time. People are bored of hearing how bored he is.
On Halloween, a witch’s elf overhears him and decides to teach him a lesson…
Join the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra for a Halloween adventure, where the world of classical music is brought to life through storytelling and imagination.
Start with some fun foyer activities, then take part in one of our interactive workshops with members of the RTÉ NSO, and explore our musical treasure hunt.
Then make your way to the main auditorium where the orchestra will bring Sam’s adventures to life with presenter Jonathan James in an interactive family concert, featuring some of the most spectacular works in classical music.
Fancy dress is encouraged; a great time is promised!
Designed for ages 6-12 years, all are welcome.
Exploring Sound & Music with Eamon Sweeney
When Friday 8th Nov at 10.15 and again at 11.30
Where Draíocht Galleries, The Blanchardstown Centre, Dublin 15
How much? €5 call to book – 01 8852622
Ages suitable for? 2-4 year olds and their adults.
See and play music in a free and open environment with musician Eamon Sweeney, using gongs, chimes, bells, ocean drums, simple percussion instruments and song.
This series of individual monthly workshops is intended to allow you and your child to explore different art mediums in an open and undirected way. There will be mess but there will also be fun! Cost: €5 per child per workshop (accompanying adult is free). Box Office on 01-8852622.
WORKSHOP NOTES
These workshops are designed for children aged 2-4 years. Please respect age limits as each workshop has been designed especially for this age range. All children must be accompanied by an adult and all adults must be accompanied by a child. These sessions are only suitable for one parent/guardian and accompanying child (without siblings).
Make Your Own Mini Francis Bacon Studio
When Saturday 9 November, 2-3.30pm
Where Dublin City Gallery, The Hugh Lane
How much? Fee €10, booking through eventbrite.ie is required here.
Ages suitable for? 7-11 year olds
Free Family Day: Winter Printer
When Saturday 23rd November 12-3pm
Where Draíocht Galleries, The Blanchardstown Centre, Dublin 15
How much? Free but space is limited
Ages suitable for? Designed for 5-10 year olds although younger/older siblings welcome
Create your reindeer and print him green, etch an elephant and add a red nose, stamp a tree with purple snow. Our artists will be on hand to show you the techniques to print a Christmas Card and you can show us just how crazy your festive imagination can be!
FAMILY DAY NOTES:
Sessions Are Free, But Space Is Limited. Max 50 per workshop.
Session 1: 12PM-12.50PM
Session 2: 1PM-1.50PM
Session 3: 2PM-2.50PM
Dress for Mess. Unless otherwise stated workshops are designed for children from 5-10 years, though younger and older siblings are welcome to take part. Please be aware that Draíocht’s Family Days are not designed for groups. All children must be accompanied by an adult and all adults must be accompanied by a child!
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.
