Monday 28 October 2013

Otherworld Festival

The Otherworld Festival is a free family friendly event in Ballymun that runs from 6-9pm on the 31st October.  This is the 13th year of the festival and organisers are expecting over 5,000 people to go on the night to enjoy music, entertainment and fireworks.  The theme this year is ‘The Gathering of the Ghouls". There will be live music from local bands, live dancers, food stalls, fireworks.    
food and goodies.

Saturday 26 October 2013

Make Shop

Makeshop on Lincoln Place is a cool workshop space and shop set up by the Science Gallery.   We went today and the kids made a robot each.  The robots were made out of disposable coffee cups and they had their own motors and markers for legs so that when you switched them on, they zoomed around the place and if you have the tops off the markers they made some funky looking art.  The kids had a great time and were so proud of their creations. Cool little shop with loads of science goodies to tempt you. We will defo be back.





Friday 25 October 2013

Gymbo's Halloween Party

Gymboree (Spawell venue) has a Halloween Party every year for kids and their mums and dads.  Kids (aged up to 6) encouraged to get dressed up and there will be a safe opportunity to Trick or Treat around the play room at the end.  Spooky games, scary (but not too scary) songs, face painting and a Halloween treat are all included.

Open to members/ non-members with kids up to age 6. Party Date: - Friday Oct. 25th - 5pm - 6:30pm
Cost is €10 per child for members and €15 for non-members Mums and Dad go free. Booking required. Call 493 8829.



party


Thursday 24 October 2013

Scary Fish Festival Sealife

Sealife Aquarium in Bray is having a Scary Fish Festival from the 26th October to the 3rd November hosted by a crew of zombie pirates.  Activities include trick or treat, design a frankenfish competition to be in with a chance to win annual membership to Sealife, ghoulish facepainting and a pirate quiz trail.

Scary Fish banner

Wednesday 23 October 2013

Halloween Disco with Miss Ali

The Miss Ali Stage School based on the 2nd Floor of Hamleys in Dundrum Town Centre is having a Halloween disco on October 30th from 7pm-9pm.  There will be DJ's, a bouncing castle, fancy dress, fun and games and more on the night.  If you want to buy a ticket they cost 8 euro.  

Tuesday 22 October 2013

FREE Theatre Lovett mid-term workshops at IMMA

Just read an email I got today about a free mid term workshop at IMMA.  It is welcoming back Theatre Lovett this autumn for its fourth collaboration, a series of 2 hour family drama workshops for children aged 7+ and adults – at the same time. These sessions have a Halloween theme and introduce families to the exhibition Leonora Carrington: The Celtic Surrealist.

Leonora Carrington's work explores themes of transformation and metamorphosis, the key skills that an actor employs on stage in character. Taking as inspiration from a selection of works from the exhibition, children aged 7+ and accompanying adults will explore the actor's journey from man or woman, boy or girl, to creature and back again. Explore the depths of Carrington's surreal worlds by bringing them off the canvas and into the room as Theatre Lovett introduce you to their unique style of performance, one that embraces the mischievous spirit of play.

This is a workshop where both children and adults can participate together. IMMA advise wearing comfortable clothing as everyone will be up on their feet.


To book a free place please email family@imma.ie with your name, address, children’s name/s and age/s and which workshop you would like to attend. Places are limited so early booking is recommended. 

Workshops:-
Thursday 31 October –10:30am – 12:30pm
Friday 1 November –10:30am – 12:30pm / 2pm – 4pm
Saturday 2 November - 10:30am – 12:30pm / 2pm – 4pm

FREE Theatre Lovett mid-term workshops, IMMA

Monday 21 October 2013

Finglas Halloween Festival 2013

Dublin City Council, Finglas Area Office, with Finglas Youth Resource Centre, An Garda Siochána and local residents are organising a Finglas Halloween Festival at Finglas Civic Centre, Mellowes Road, Finglas from 6pm on 31st October.

The theme of this year’s festival is “Finglas Fright Night.” Events on the night will include a parade through the streets of Finglas, music by local bands, ghost train, bouncy castles, fancy dress competition, fairground games and stalls. The night will end with a Fireworks Display. 

There will also be a Halloween Marquee situated in Finglas Village, the Library Car Park from 11am – 3pm with Face painting/dance and Art workshops / Magic and Puppet Shows.

Booking is required, for more information T. 222 5400 or see  the website for more details.

fn-logo

Sunday 20 October 2013

Baby Workshops at the National Gallery

The National Gallery of Ireland is running a series of new workshops for very wee ones.  If you have a baby who is not yet walking then you might be interested.  The workshops take place on the 3rd Monday of each month at 2pm. These workshops aim to be a fun and relaxed way for babies (max 10) to socialise and to explore new colours, textures and sounds.  
The next workshop is tomorrow 21 October, 2pm: Textiles and Textures.  
In November, the workshop is on the 18th November, 2pm: Discover Shapes
Booking is essential at education@ngi.ie or 01 663 3505 and opens the Tuesday before each workshop. The programme is free and lasts 35 minutes. Babies should be accompanied by an adult.
Discovering art!

Saturday 19 October 2013

Jason and the Argonauts

The Irish Film Institute based in temple Bar runs a monthly family film (generally the last Sunday on the month at 11am).  On Sunday October 27th at 11am you can see the classic 60s cult film Jason and the Argonauts complete with spooky monsters, sea creatures and skeletons.  

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Friday 18 October 2013

Bram Stoker Festival

The first Bram Stoker Festival was launched by Dublin City Council on the centenary of Bram Stoker’s death in 2012.
Following the success of the 2012 festival Dublin City Council has announced its 2nd Bram Stoker Festival which will take place from 26th – 28th October 2013.  
Bram Stoker was a native-born Dubliner responsible for the creation of one of the most influential cultural phenomena of the modern era, Dracula (1897). The Bram Stoker Festival aspires to honour the memory and achievements of the creator of one of literature’s most famous characters.
For three days between 26th & 28th of October 2013 Dublin City will celebrate the life and legacy of Bram Stoker and his most famous novel ‘Dracula’. The Festival will comprise of a collaborative programme of literary, cultural and family events, staged across the October Bank Holiday weekend that will engage with a broad audience, promoting Dublin as the premier destination for a Bram Stoker/Gothic/Halloween break.
For a full list of events taking place as part of the three-day Festival visit the Bram Stoker Festival Website: www.bramstokerfestival.com

Thursday 17 October 2013

Lifeboat

Lifeboat is the true story of Bess Walder and Beth Cummings. Set in World War II, it is a story of courage, a story of survival and a story of enduring friendship.
On Friday 13 September 1940, a ship, The City of Benares, set sail from Liverpool for Canada. On board were 90 evacuees escaping the relentless bombing and dangers of war torn Britain. Four days into the crossing, the ship was torpedoed and sank. Only eleven of the evacuees survived.
Two fifteen year old girls, Bess Walder and Beth Cumming, spent 19 terrifying hours in the water on an upturned lifeboat. They willed each other to survive. Lifeboat tells their story - a play running this weekend in The Ark by the Catherine Wheels Theatre Company. Suitable for kids aged 9 plus.  

Lifeboat

Tuesday 15 October 2013

Science Film Festival - Biodiversity at the Botanic Gardens

UCD Science Expression is Ireland’s first and only dedicated science film festival.  It will present screenings, events and debate for enquiring minds of all ages.  Themes include The Curious Mind, Land and Identity, Frontiers of Discovery and Biodiversity and Ecology.  It runs from October 31st to November 3rd


A free event that is suitable for all the family is Biodiversity at the Botanic Gardens, which runs from Friday November 1st to Sunday November 3rd (12pm onwards).  Ireland’s only inflatable cinema will be in the Botanic Gardens and will show innovative short films from around the world exploring our environment and biodiversity today. 



Monday 14 October 2013

Anne Frank Exhibition

70 years ago, Anne Frank, the German Jewish teenager, was sent into hiding in occupied Amsterdam during World War II and was inspired her to write an account of this time in her famous “Diary of a Young Girl”.  This autumn Dublin City Public Libraries will host a free Anne Frank (+ you) multimedia exhibition presenting the short and tragic life of Anne Frank and the messages which will resonate with audiences today. 

Starting from Anne Frank’s writings and experiences, the exhibition is a journey of self exploration for the visitor. Themes that Anne wrote about in her diary, such as racial hatred, war and conflict and the value of democracy and freedom, are presented in an up to date and contemporary fashion, along with filmed interviews with young people discussing their own views, concerns and hopes for the future. At the heart of the exhibition is an almost life size replica of Anne’s bedroom in the secret annexe. There is also an accompanying film called “The Short Life of Anne Frank” and an opportunity to sign the world famous Anne Frank Declaration.  The exhibition is recommended for adults and children (aged 10 plus) so more for your middle munchkins.  It runs from 23rd October - 11th December 2013.  It will be on view at Dublin City Library and Archive, Pearse Street.  There are many editions of ‘The Diary of Anne Frank’ and other relevant material in Dublin Libraries. Children and adults who are members of the Dublin City Public Libraries are invited to bring along their library tickets to borrow books from the library.

Anne Frank and You Exhibition Logo




Saturday 12 October 2013

Maths Week 2013

Maths Week Ireland 2013, an annual event in Ireland, takes place from today the 12th to 20th October.  There will be events all over Ireland beginning with Maths in the City in Dublin today and finishing with Maths in the City Belfast on Saturday 19th and Gathering for Gardner Celebration of Mind on Sunday 20th October. 

There are loads of family events in Dublin including a major day of activities in St Stephen's Green (the Grafton Street corner) on today from 11am-4pm.  Other activities include scavenger hunts at the National Wax Museum, quests, dabbledoo music and monoprinting workshops at Imaginosity and bubblz the mathematical clown at Pearse Street library.  

Friday 11 October 2013

A True Tall Tale

As part of Dublin Theatre Festival Family Season, A True Tall Tale will take place in Smock Alley Theatre from 10th-13th October.
Very freely adapted from Selma Lagerlöfs The Legend of the Christmas Rose, A True Tall Tale is a bedtime story from one of Denmark’s most highly regarded children’s theatre companies. 
It is a story about the Goinge forest which is transofrmed every Christmas night into a blossoming summer garden. Or at least that is what the old robber-wife tells the Abbot Hans.
On an icy winter’s day he and his apprentice Johannes set off deep into the trees to witness this great miracle. But as they continue on their journey the comrades discover that the Goinge forest is not just a place of beauty. It is filled with fairy tales, robbers and thieves, lying-in-wait for unwelcome guests...
Audiences will be seated in specially-designed hammocks for the duration of the performance, which sounds very cool.
Recommended for ages 8+
A True Tall Tale

Thursday 10 October 2013

What the Ladybird Heard

Based on the award-winning picture book by Julia Donaldson & Lydia Monks, the Pavilion (Dun Laoghaire) are showing a brand new kids oriented adaptation of "What the Ladybird Heard" about two crafty robbers, one tiny ladybird, and a whole farmyard of fun! Hefty Hugh and Lanky Len have a cunning plan to steal the farmer’s fine prize cow. But they reckon without the tiniest, quietest creature of all: The Ladybird has a plan of her own! With live music, puppetry, plenty of audience participation and lots of laughs!
Three shows on - two on Sunday 20th October at 1.30pm and 4pm (at this stage the Sundays shows are pretty much sold out though!)  and one on Tuesday 22nd October at 4pm.  


photo of What the Ladybird Heard

Wednesday 9 October 2013

For the love of books

Dublin is renowned for its literary tradition, dating back over a thousand years when monks would transcribe the bible into beautiful manuscripts. The best surviving example of which is the Book of Kells, dating from 800 AD and it is on show at Trinity College. Dublin was also the birthplace of James Joyce and Nobel Prize for Literature winners William Butler Yeats, George Bernard Shaw and Samuel Beckett. 

 In 2010, Dublin was named a UNESCO City of Literature – one of only three in the world, joining the UNESCO Creative Cities Network. Literary initiatives such as Bloomsday on the 16th June, storytelling groups, collective writing groups, libraries (the National Library, Marsh’s Library and local libraries), the Book of Kells, the Mountain to Sea Book Festival, the Dalkey Book Festival, the Dublin Writers Museum, the Irish Writers Centre, the James Joyce Centre, European Literature Night, Dublin: One City, One Book and the Dublin Writers Festival encourage everyone, young and not so young, to get interested in literature and books.  I will post some more detailed info on these over the next few weeks.


Over the next few months there are a load of Book Festivals that have a family friendly programme of events that should delight your book worms or encourage prospective ones to pick up a book or two. .

The Festival of Stories at Imaginosity is back for the third year, with even more enchanting storytelling, story sharing and story creating than ever before! With a jam-packed schedule of events they are offering lots of mid-term fun from 26th October to 3rd November for the whole family.

The Children’s Books Ireland Festival runs for the month of October every year. This year the 2013 Festival offers a programme of Irish and international authors and illustrators, designed to spark the imagination of young readers from toddlers to teens! Activities will be running in libraries, schools and arts centres throughout the month. With everything from readings by popular authors, to writing and illustration workshops, plus storytelling, quizzes and competitions – there are countless opportunities to explore a wide array of books.

The Red Line Book Festival is an annual literary event organised by South Dublin Libraries. This year it takes place from the 15th-20th October. It has a children’s programme which includes events for the public and for school kids. Public performances include “The Human Child” on Sunday 20th October in the Civic Theatre, Tallaght. It is a play for children 8+ and their families. There is also “Tall Tales with Patrick Ryan” in Lucan Library at 3.15pm on Tuesday 15th October.

Then there is the fantastic Dublin Books Festival which runs from 14-17th November. The Children’s Programme is loaded with readings, book binding workshops and treasure-hunts.  

Dublin's Reading The Nightmare Club

Tuesday 8 October 2013

Rua Red

Rua Red is an arts centre based in beside the Tallaght LUAS stop and the Square shopping centre in South Dublin.  It runs a fabulous looking programme of drop in and regular creative and arts based workshops for children and teenagers and their families. 

If you have budding artists, they might like the art trolley sessions, the bright sparks drop in art sessions for kids from 12 months to 4 years, the L’Atelier Art and Fun and the doodle box studio.  There are also loads of dance, drama, music, singing, song writing, music production and filmmaking classes. Or you might fancy taking in the monthly family film.  


You can download the full October-December Brochure here

Monday 7 October 2013

Quilt (Edredon)


If you have very little munchkins, you might be interested in a show that is coming from France to the Draíocht this month and is especially for children age 2- 5 years, called Quilt (which is Edredon in French). 

It is performed in close proximity to the audience and filled with shadows, video imagery and musical light. It is a story about a little girl at bedtime. She is warm and cosy in her cuddly quilt and she dreams of adventures and new places (runs on 25/26/27th October). 


Quilt (Édredon)




Sunday 6 October 2013

Samhain - spookfest in Marlay Park

Halloween fever is setting in.  One of the biggest Halloween events in Dublin is Samhain - the annual spookfest in Marlay Park - and it is on again this year on Sunday, October 27th 2013.

This year’s Samhain will feature more spooky thrills, chills and frights. The forest at Marlay Park will be alive, for one night only with freaky fog, ghastly spiders and dragons , creepy eyeballs and pumpkins, spine chilling skeletons and menacing witches and wizards.
Festoon lighting, sound effects and smoke will all add to the scare factor and the haunted forest will stay open until 8.30pm. 

The haunted woods are not for the faint hearted with all the big spooky characters, scary noises and eerie fog! The walk is approx 1.5km long on a path suitable for buggies/wheelchairs. You are invited to dress up in Halloween costumes but remember it is an outdoor event so warm clothing is recommended.

The Haunted Woods will be open between 3.30pm and 8.30pm and entry is free but by wristband.  Wristbands will not be available on the day of the event.  If you want one, you can collect it at the DLR Coco Market in Marlay Park on Saturday October 19th & Saturday October 26th from 11am each day. Wristbands will be available while stocks last on a strictly first come, first served basis, limited to six per family. Entry times to queue for the Haunted Walk printed on your Wristband will be 3.30pm, 4.30pm, 5.30pm, 6.30pm and 7.30pm.

Samhain 2013

Saturday 5 October 2013

Children’s Art in the Libraries Autumn Programme

Dublin City Council’s Arts Office is hosting another programme of great art workshops and events for children in its Children’s Art in the Libraries Autumn Programme
Twelve artists have been commissioned to create and deliver very different programmes that any child who lives in the City will have the opportunity to access.  The programmes run through October and November and include the Wo-Mu music programme, theatre making, exploring urban eco-systems, how and why we communicate and the concepts of time and space.  So lots that should be of interest.   


Cover of the Children's Art in Libraries Autumn 2013 brochure

Friday 4 October 2013

Exploring Nature Autumn Events

Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council ran a series of free "Exploring Nature" biodiversity events over the summer. The Council is running another series of biodiversity events this Autumn.  Events include bat walks, workshops on how to make bird feeders, foraging for food adventures, halloween inspired craft workshops and workshops on making Christmas decorations. The events are in various locations such as parks and beaches. 

Click here for the leaflet of events.  


Many events require pre-booking so contact the event leader where stated on the brochure. Individuals and families are welcome and you are asked to dress appropriately for outdoor activities and the weather on the day.

For general enquiries please call Jimmy O'Sullivan (Heritage Technician) 01 204 7011
or email josullivan@dlrcoco.ie 

Exploring Nature

Tuesday 1 October 2013

October Events

Here is a list of the events I have come across.  I am sure there are plenty more......

Tuesday 1st October


Wednesday 2nd October
Thursday 3rd October

Friday 4th October

Saturday 5th October
Sunday 6th October
Monday 7th October
Tuesday 8th October



Wednesday 9th October
Thursday 10th October

Friday 11th October
Saturday 12th October
Sunday 13th October
Monday 14th October
Tuesday 15th October

Wednesday 16th October
Thursday 17th October
Friday 18th October
Saturday 19th October
Sunday 20th October
Monday 21st October
 Tuesday 22nd October

Wednesday 23rd October

Thursday 24th October
Friday 25th October
Saturday 26th October

Sunday 27th October

Monday 28th October

Tuesday 29th October

Wednesday 30th October

Thursday 31st October