April Events

Lots and lots on in April.  No excuses to be bored!

Updated 25th April

Tuesday 1st April

* Theatre Lovett presents Mr Foley The Radio Operator, The Mill Theatre (10am and 12pm)
* Tiny Tots Tuesdays - Get Creative Sessions with Orla Kelly, Draíocht (10.30-11.30am)

Wednesday 2nd of April
* Tree Tales for kids aged 7 plus (part of Five Lamps Art Festival, Charleville Mall Library (3pm)
* A two day creative writing workshop for teenagers 13-16 yrs with Dave Lordon, Finglas Library, Main Shopping Centre (3:30pm) the second workshop on 16th April - part of One City One Book Initiative

Thursday 3rd April 
* Carnation Theatre present The Merchant of Ennis - Charleville Mall Library (11am and 1.30pm) 

Friday 4th April 
* “Seeking The Village” - art and play for children (10.30 – 12.00)

Saturday 5th April
* Béirín Beag Buí / Little Yellow Bear for 3-7 year olds, Charleville Mall Library (3.30pm)
* No Strings Theatre Company perform Hansel and Gretel, Charleville Mall Library (12pm)
* Jack and the Beanstalk, Lambert Puppet Theatre (3.30pm)
* Family First Saturday, Dublinia (10am-5pm)
* Family Programme - 'The Emperor's Palace', with Clare Henderson, National Gallery (3-4pm)
* Silk Worm Club - Make your own colourful stained glass Easter ornament (suitable for ages 6-11 years), Chester Beatty Library (2-3.30pm)
* Magical Music Mix with the WhistleBlast Quartet - suitable for 2-13 year olds, National Concert Hall (3pm and 4.30pm)
* Pregnancy and Baby Fair, The RDS (10am-6pm)
* Rua Red Family Film Toy Story (12pm)
* The Ballad of Pondife McGurk Family Show, Draíocht (1.30pm)
* Learn how to DJ, (for children 7+), IMMA (12 noon – 2.00pm)
* Create your own Sound Art, IMMA (12 noon – 4.00pm) 
* Make a large-scale Installation, IMMA (12 noon – 4.00pm) 
* Sound Workshop for 13-18 year olds, IMMA (1.30–3.30pm)
* Campfire Music (part of DLR Spring Biodiversity Events), FitzSimons Park (2pm-4pm)

Sunday 6th April
* RHA Art Cart in the RHA Atrium every Sunday (2.30-4.30pm)
* Sunday Family Sketching, Dublin City Gallery – The Hugh Lane (2pm)
* Pregnancy and Baby Fair, The RDS (10am-6pm)
* Family Explorer Session, IMMA (2-4pm)

Monday 7th April
* Irish History Live – The Museum that Comes to You Family Show, Coolock Library (3.30pm)

Tuesday 8th April
* Irish History Live – The Museum that Comes to You Family Show, Donaghmede Library (3.30pm)

Wed 9th April
* Irish History Live – The Museum that Comes to You Family Show, Central Library (3.30pm)

Thursday 10th April
* The Falling Song, Pavilion (8pm)
* Irish History Live – The Museum that Comes to You Family Show, Walkinstown Library (3.30pm)

Friday 11th April
* From The Page To The Stage, Draíocht (8pm)

Saturday 12th April
* Jack and the Beanstalk, Lambert Puppet Theatre (3.30pm)
* Family Programme - 'Dazzling Jewels', with Louise McGrath, National Gallery (3-4pm)
* Intercultural Tour - Mandarin language tour and family-friendly activities with Tiedong Yang, Chester Beatty Library (1pm)
* MCM Ireland Comic Con, The RDS
* From The Page To The Stage, Draíocht (8pm)
* DIY dragster workshop 1, Panama Scout Hall to the rear of 
Phibsborough Library (10am)
* Saturday Talk: Art Teachers Special! - for teachers and students age 12 plus, Collins Barracks (Decorative Arts & History) (2-3pm)
* Easter Eggspert Family Tour - suitable for kids aged 7 plus, Natural History Museum (12-12.45pm & 2-2.45pm
* Dodder Day
* Airfield Awakens


Sunday 13th April
* Moon Man, Pavilion (3pm)
* Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Mermaid Arts Centre (2pm)
* RHA Art Cart in the RHA Atrium every Sunday (2.30-4.30pm)
* DIT Ensembles All Together Now, National Concert Hall (7pm)
* MCM Ireland Comic Con, The RDS
* Family Fun Day, National Print Museum (12-4pm)
* Junior Slow Session, Seamus Ennis Centre (6.30pm)
* Birdwatching, Dublin Zoo (11am)
* Family Art Activity – Mega Viking Doodle, National Museum of Ireland (Archaeology)
* Family Explorer Session, IMMA (2-4pm) 
* Hands on History Drop-in Activity, Collins Barracks (Decorative Arts & History) (3-4pm) 
* Airfield Awakens
* Experience Japan Festival, Farmleigh House and Gardens (Phoneix Park)

Monday 14th April
* Hunt for Easter Egg at Croke Park (1pm)
* Seed Bombing, Airfield (11.00am–12.00pm)


Tuesday 15th April
* Childrens Stop Motion Animation Workshop with Createschool, Mermaid Arts Centre (10am-4pm) NB now sold out
* Felt-making, Airfield (11.00am–12.30pm) Event now booked out
* Make and Easter Willow Basket, Seamus Ennis Centre (11am) NB now sold out
* What Can I Build? Workshop for kids aged 10 months to 36 months (part of Inter/Generation), The Grainstore (11am-12pm)
* Hunt for Easter Egg at Croke Park (1pm)
* Launch of Enchanted Fairy Walk, Tymon Park (11am-1pm)

Wednesday 16th April
* Human Child by Collapsing Horse, Mermaid Arts Centre (3pm and 7pm)
* Make an Easter Tree and Decorations, Seamus Ennis Centre (11am) NB now sold out
* Batik, Seamus Ennis Centre (2pm) 
* A creative writing workshop for teenagers 13-16 yrs with Dave Lordon, Finglas Library, Main Shopping Centre (3:30pm) this is the second on a 2 day workshop - part of One City One Book Initiative 
* Which way is up? Workshop for kids aged 10 years plus (part of Inter/Generation), The Grainstore (11am-12.30pm) 
* Hunt for Easter Egg at Croke Park (1pm)
* Easter Family Treasure Hunt, Griffeen Valley Park (11am)
* Easter Family Treasure Hunt, Corkagh Park (2pm)
* Seed Bombing, Airfield (11.00am–12.00pm) NB event booked out

Thursday 17th April
* Human Child by Collapsing Horse, Mermaid Arts Centre (3pm and 7pm) 
* Which way is up? Workshop for kids aged 14 years plus (part of Inter/Generation), The Grainstore (11am-1pm) 
* Hunt for Easter Egg at Croke Park (1pm)
* Bird Food Fat Balls, Airfield (11.00am–12.00pm) Event now booked out


Friday 18th April
* Hunt for Easter Egg at Croke Park (1pm)
* Arts and Crafts and Face Painting, Nutgrove Shopping Centre (12 - 4pm)

Saturday 19th April

* Ten14 Concert, The Ark (2pm and 4pm)

* Jack and the Beanstalk, Lambert Puppet Theatre (3.30pm)
* Family Programme - 'Easter Baskets', with Susan Farrelly, National Gallery (3-4pm)
* The Melodies and Myths of the Vikings and Gaels Musical Performance, National Museum of Ireland (Archaeology)
* Losha, Pavilion (1pm and 3pm)
* Easter workshop Bunnies, Bonnets and Baskets with artist Olive Knox, Dublin City Gallery– The Hugh Lane (2pm)
* The Battle of Clontarf Festival, St Anne’s Park
* Easter programme, Farmleigh House
* Demolition Family Workshop, The Grainstore (part of Inter/Generation) (11am-12.30pm) 
* Wonka's Whacky Easter Trail, Malahide Castle 
* Hunt for Easter Egg at Croke Park (1pm)
* Cadbury Easter Egg Trail for Barnardos, Merrion Square Park
* Festive Music and Face Painting, Nutgrove Shopping Centre (2pm - 4pm)
* Make a bird’s nest, Airfield (11.00am–12.00pm)


Sunday 20th April
* RHA Art Cart in the RHA Atrium every Sunday (2.30-4.30pm)
* Fun Easter Activities, Phoenix Park Visitor Centre (11am-12pm TBC)
* Easter Egg - Stravaganza, Dublin Zoo (10am-6pm)
* Kids Club Animal Alley, Dublin Zoo (11am-12.30pm)
* Family Explorer Session, IMMA (2-4pm)
* The Battle of Clontarf Festival, St Anne’s Park
* Mad Hatter's Tea Party, Deer Park (1pm-5pm)
* Easter programme, Farmleigh House
* Easter Egg Hunt (part of DLR Spring Biodiversity Event Programme), Ballawley Park (10.30am-12pm)
* The Big Barracks Egg Hunt, Collins Barracks (Decorative Arts & History) 3-4.30pm
* Hunt for Easter Egg at Croke Park (1pm)
* Egg Hunt, St Enda's Park, Rathfarnham (2.30-3.30pm) 
* Scavenger Hunt and Quiz, St Enda's Park, Rathfarnham (3.30-4.30pm) 
* Easter Egg Hunt, Airfield (12.00–2.00pm)


Monday 21st April

* Ten14 Concert, The Ark (2pm and 4pm)
* Baby Workshop - The Animals' Journey! with France Coghlan, National Gallery (2-2.35pm)
* Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, The Mill Theatre (2pm)
* Easter Egg - Stavaganza, Dublin Zoo (10am-6pm)
* Minecrafted Launch (part of Inter/Generation) (11am-12.30pm) 
* Minecrafted Beginners Workshop (part of Inter/Generation), The Grainstore (2-3pm) 
* Easter Egg Hunt, Ardgillan Castle (3pm)
* Hunt for Easter Egg at Croke Park (1pm)
* Scientific Story Adventure, Powerscourt Gardens (12.30pm-3pm)
* Bug Hunt, St Enda's Park, Rathfarnham (2.30 to 3.30) 
* Shell Painting, St Enda's Park, Rathfarnham (3.30-4.30pm) * Places for shell painting are limited so booking is essential on 01-4934208
* Egg painting, Airfield (11.00am–12.00pm) Event now booked out


Tuesday 22nd April
* Warrior Shield craft workshops, The Ark (ages 4-6 @11am-12pm and ages 7-12 @1.30pm-3pm)
* Felt-making, Airfield (11.00am–12.30pm)

Wednesday 23rd April
* Ten14: Moya Brennan Voice & Cormac de Barra Harp, Draíocht (3pm)
* Warrior Shield craft workshops, The Ark (ages 4-6 @11am-12pm)
* Spring Workshop, Dublin Zoo (10am-12.30pm)
* Epic Stage Combat Workshops, The Ark (ages 5-7 @11.30am and ages 8-12 @2pm)
* Sky High! Workshop for kids aged 6 years plus (part of Inter/Generation) (11am-12.30pm) 
* Minecrafted Drop -in Workshops (part of Inter/Generation), The Grainstore (2-4pm) 
* Plant a Poster, Airfield (11am-12pm)


Thursday 24th April
* Chester Beatty's Creative Lab for Teens - Japanese Printmaking Mid-Term Special with Japanese printmaker Hiroko Imada, Chester Beatty Library (10am-3pm) 

* Spring Workshop, Dublin Zoo (10am-12.30pm)
* Epic Stage Combat Workshops, The Ark (ages 5-7 @11.30am and ages 8-12 @2pm)
* Irish History Live – The Museum that Comes to You Family Show, Raheny Library (11am and 1pm)
* Irish History Live – The Museum that Comes to You Family Show, Phibsboro’ Library (3pm)
* Spring it on Family Tour, National History Museum (12-12.45pm & 2-2.45pm)
* Minecrafted Drop -in Workshops (part of 
Inter/Generation), The Grainstore (2-4pm)
* Blossom Making, Airfield (11.00am–12.00pm)

Friday 25th April

* Chester Beatty's Creative Lab for Teens - Japanese Printmaking Mid-Term Special with Japanese printmaker Hiroko Imada, Chester Beatty Library (10am-1pm)
* Cosplay Presentation and Introduction to Anime & Manga for Teens, Chester Beatty Library (2-4.30pm)
* Teen Workshop, Dublin Z00 (10a-2.30pm)
* Runic Riddles – Family Drop in Activity, National Museum of Ireland (Archaeology)
* On the Move!: Workshop for kids aged 2 years to 4.5 years (part of Inter/Generation) (11am-12pm) 
* Minecrafted Drop -in Workshops (part of Inter/Generation), The Grainstore (2-4pm) 
* Seed Bombing, Airfield (11.00am–12.00pm)
* Dublin Prawn Festival, Howth

Saturday 26th April

* Jack and the Beanstalk, Lambert Puppet Theatre (3.30pm)
* Family Programme - 'Through the looking-glass', with Valerie Moffat, National Gallery (3-4pm)
* Ernest and Celestine, Pavilion (3pm)
* Ten14: Moya Brennan Voice & Cormac de Barra Harp, Mermaid Arts Centre (3pm)
* Thor’s Hammer – Family Drop-in Activity, National Museum of Ireland (Archaeology)
* DIY dragster workshop 2, Panama Scout Hall to the rear of Phibsborough Library (10am) 
* Lord Edward’s Own Reenactors Family Event, Collins Barracks (Decorative Arts & History) 10am-12pm
* Minecrafted Grand Finale (part of Inter/Generation), The Grainstore (2-4pm)
* Magic Show and Balloon Modelling, Nutgrove Shopping Centre (12 - 4pm)
* Seed Bombing, Airfield (11.00am–12.00pm)
* Dublin Prawn Festival, Howth

Sunday 27th April
* RHA Art Cart in the RHA Atrium every Sunday (2.30-4.30pm)
* Cinema of Childhood Family Film "The Boot", IFI (11am)
* Family Explorer Session, IMMA (2-4pm)
* Runic Riddles, Museum of Archaeology (2-4pm)
* Felt-making, Airfield (11.00am–12.30pm)
* Dublin Prawn Festival, Howth

Ireland - 40 years in the EU

Ireland has been a member of the EU for 40 years. To mark this anniversary, Dublin City Public Libraries have received funding to explore the role the European Union plays in our daily lives. It has developed a programme of events and competitions for all ages which will be presented throughout March under the ‘Communicating Europe Initiative’ (CEI) to focus on what four decades of membership has brought to Irish Citizens. 

For the older munchkins, there is an Essay Competition – ‘Challenges and Changes: Ireland’s 40 years of EU Citizenship’ open to everyone attending a second level school in Dublin – entrants get a chance to win an iPad mini. Closing date for receipt of essays and completed entry forms is Saturday 12th April 2014.

There are also free Art Workshops for Children with artist Kitty Rogers–“Flags of Europe” .  The first batch was last Saturday, but there are more on today Saturday 29th March in Coolock (at 2pm) and Raheny (at 11am) libraries.

The Workshops are free but places are limited so booking is essential.

The Art of the Brick

The Ambassador Theatre Dublin is bringing world-renowned exhibition The Art of the Brick to Ireland.

Over seventy art sculptures created from more than a million LEGO® bricks will be on display from Friday April 05 to 15th June. These one-of-a-kind LEGO brick sculptures are the work of US artist Nathan Sawaya. The Art of the Brick has been proclaimed by CNN as one of the world’s 10 must-see exhibitions. So if your munchkins are into lego, they should like this.



Image from http://www.mcd.ie/

Brian Boru Millenium

Dublin will mark the 1000th anniversary of the Battle of Clontarf in 2014 with several events for children and families. 

These include:-

* The largest Viking village and living history battle re-enactment ever produced in Ireland. The Battle of Clontarf Festival will have a Viking village in St Anne’s Park (Raheny). It will contain static and interactive displays of Viking life and include demonstrations of Viking Skills and Crafts such as weapons displays , storytelling, Blacksmith, Leather working, Pole Lathe, Coin Striking, Silversmith, Hnefatafl (Viking Chess), Archery Display and Viking Long Boat, Falconry Displays & Mounted Viking Displays. It will take place on Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th April.

· Dublinia will host the Viking Big Dig from Saturday the 12th of April to Sunday the 27th of April (2 weeks). Children will experience what it is like to be an archaeologist and find Viking treasures dating back over 1000 years. For the adults, there will also be a full size reconstruction of a Viking house within the Dublinia courtyard, showing how a Viking house was built, get involved in the build too.

· The National Botanic Gardens will be home to a Viking House and an authentic Viking Garden.

· The National Museum of Ireland (Archaeology) on Kildare Street will host several events with a Viking twist including an art competition, storytelling, musical performances, family art activities and family drop in activities.

· In Clontarf castle there will be a “See – This is How It’s Done: An appreciation and demonstration of art forms”

· On the 25th May Puremagic will host a very unique weekend at the beach for the 8th annual Battle for the Bay Dublin Kitesurfing and SUPing Competition on Dollymount Beach. This year there will be a special Battle of Clontarf theme to the event which includes paddle boarding competitions, kids kite competitions, live music, food village & BBQ, kids zone and funfair. All ages are welcome and free entry for the young and old!

· Clontarf will be host to the Clontarf Viking Festival – dates TBC.

· On the 24th May in Fairview Park, to mark the millennium anniversary of the Battle of Clontarf, A Lark in the Park will be a family fun-day and festival and it will have a Viking and Brian Ború theme. There will be bouncy castles, face painting, stalls from local businesses, sports, music and more.

· Dublin City Public Libraries will commemorate the Battle of Clontarf by presenting an interactive history show for families & children 8+ with Irish History Live – The Museum That Comes To You. The show will ask questions like - Who was Brian Boru? Why did he want to go into battle with the king of Dublin? How was the battle fought? What were the results? Did Brian become the king or did treachery play its part? Participants will find out by dressing up as the king himself and by trying out real weapons, swords, spears, bows, shields and axes. www.irishhistorylive.com. Family Shows after school and during the Easter Holidays will run as follows:-

* Monday 7th April at 3.30pm – Coolock Library
* Tuesday 8th April at 3.30pm – Donaghmede Library
* Wednesday 9th April at 3.30pm – Central Library
* Thursday 10th April at 3.30pm – Walkinstown Library 

* Thursday 24th April 2014 at 11am – Raheny Library
* Thursday 24th April 2014 at 1pm – Raheny Library
* Thursday 24th April 2014 at 3pm – Phibsboro’ Library 

Full info at http://www.brianborumillennium.ie/dublin/ 

Meet Ragnar the Viking

Over 1,000 years ago, when Ireland was old and Dublin was yet young, there was a combmaker. His name was Ragnar Olafson, born in the year 950 AD, a third generation Dublin Viking. The Museum of Archaeology on Kildare Street invites families with kids 7 plus to go along to an event this Sunday 23rd March (3-4pm) where you can hear stories of Viking Dublin and Ragnar's Scandinavian ancestors. No booking required. Places limited, first come basis. Meet at Reception.

Kíla family show

Mermaid Arts Centre is hosting a Kíla family friendly gig tomorrow Saturday 22nd at 2pm. Kíla is one of Ireland’s finest and most innovative bands. The seven members come from different musical backgrounds and share a passion for creating great music and absorbing influences from across the globe. 



Photo from http://www.mermaidartscentre.ie website 

Grow your own pizza class

Powerscourt is running two children's gardening classes on Saturday 30th March from 2-1pm and 2-3pm in the Garden Pavilion. Cost: €5 per child, adults free. It is entitled ‘Grow your own Pizza gardening class" and focuses on how to grow goodies such as tomatoes and basil which can then be made into pizzas at home.



Photo from http://www.powerscourt.ie/ website