Dublin Garden Festival 2014

Christ Church Cathedral is holding its first ever Dublin Garden Festival from Friday 13th - Sunday 15th June 2014.

The famous cathedral will become a "floral arcadia" with contemporary and classic designs. Well know Irish celebrity gardeners will give gardening advice. There will also be horticultural displays, Irish gourmet food produce in an artisan market downstairs in the crypt, urban gardens, afternoon tea and garden stalls.

For the kids there will be a petting zoo and a children's garden. Kids under 12 go free.


 

Lark in the Park

Lark in the Park Fun Day and Festival is taking place in Fairview Park tomorrow Saturday 24th May from 2pm-5pm. It is organised by Dublin City Council & Fairview Marino Business Association. 

To mark the millennium anniversary of the Battle of Clontarf, A Lark in the Park will this year have a Viking and Brian Boru theme. There will be bouncy castles, face painting, stalls from local businesses, sports, music and lots more.

Biodiversity Events

Dublin City Council is celebrating National Biodiversity Week with a series of free, family friendly events which offer an opportunity to explore Dublin’s natural heritage. Events include dawn (for those of you who are energetic enough to get yourself out of bed!) and dusk choruses in city parks with Bird Watch Ireland and displays and walks on native lizards on North Bull Island on International Biodiversity Day, Thursday 22nd May.

National Biodiversity Week Events include:

· Tuesday 20th May 7.30pm, Dusk Chorus, St. Anne’s Park (meet car park by James Larkin Road)

· Thursday 22nd May 7.30pm, Dusk Chorus, St. Anne’s Park (meet Band Stand near Herbert Park Pond)

· Thursday 22nd May, 10am to 4.30pm, International Day of Biodiversity, Bull Island – observe live native lizards and amphibians in a display by the Herpetological Society of Ireland , join them in the dunes at 12 noon and 3 pm to try and find them , touch and feel real sea creatures at our touch pool exhibitions. Get advice from marine Bioligist Sarah Varian, arts and crafts all day.

· Saturday 24th May, 4.30am, Dawn Chorus, Liffey Valley Park (meet St. Mary’s Ave off Sarsfield Rd)

Battle for the Bay

The best riders in the country and from around the globe will be returning to Dublin this weekend (the 24th and 25th May) to compete in Dollymount Beach in Battle of the Bay! 

Everyone is welcome (young and old) to join this celebration of Irish Kitesurfing, Stand Up Paddle Boarding (SUPing) and Dublin style beach fun. There will be a live music stage, a Food Village plus Funfair Attractions, art workshops, kite introductions for newcomers, beach volley and a Kids Zone for the kids. 

Family Day Festival

One Family presents its annual Family Day Festival this weekend on Sunday, 18 May 2014 in Iveagh Gardens, Dublin 2. from 11am to 5pm. There will be a magician, music, dancing, expert talks on parenting and diverse family issues, and spoken word performers on the topic of ‘family’.

Workshops and entertainment offered on the day also include:
* A series of 5 yoga workshops from the Elbow Room with a session to suit each member of the family from pregnancy yoga to baby yoga to kids, teens and adults classes
* Fighting Words encouraging children to create their own stories
* Gaiety School of Acting presenting an acting workshop
* Imaginosity with singing and story-telling all day
* Printing Wanted posters and making origami hats with the National Print Museum
* Making butter with Daisy Cottage Farm
* Holiday destinations for families in Ireland such as Hotel Westport
* Play workshops for adults and children with Abrakedabra
* The Irish Landmark Trust inviting visitors into a recreation of one of its quirky heritage properties in the Iveagh Gardens, itself a beautiful heritage site
* DCC Boxing in the Community workshops with the rumour of an Irish Olympian in attendance
* The Ark Children’s Museum with comic visual arts activities
* DCC Library Services, the Red Cross and many more with activities and demonstrations
* Facepainting, balloon modelling, many other entertainers and the occasional surprise throughout the day





On hand will be e a variety of key organisations working for and with families and children in Ireland today, sharing information about their services and with fun activities to enjoy. These include One Family, GLEN, Marriage Equality, Treoir, New Communities Partnership, ISPCC and Children’s Rights Alliance. Those who cannot attend the festivities in the Iveagh Gardens are encouraged to host their own Family Day event which can be included on the Family Day site by emailing details to familyday@onefamily.ie.

National Drawing Day 17th May

Drawing Day is a nationwide event started in 2004, which is held in partnership with national, regional and local museums, libraries, cultural and arts centres. There are loads of free events happening around Dublin to celebrate National Drawing Day. The National Gallery of Ireland’s website gives a list of the venues that are participating. I had a look at all the ones in Dublin and found that the following events are taking place:--

* Airfield, Dundrum  - two Children’s Workshops (11am and 2pm)
* Draíocht, Blanchardstown: Family Day: Nationwide Draw Day: Space Scapes (12.00pm-12.50pm, 1pm-1.50pm and 2pm-2:50pm)
* Dublin City Gallery the Hugh Lane (can’t find any details on its website as of 14 May)
* Dublinia (can’t find any details on its website as of 14 May)
* Farmleigh House, Dublin (11am-4.30pm) - lots of events on in a marquee at the back of the house
* GAA Museum, Dublin Children’s Workshops (11am, 12pm, 1pm and 2pm)
* Graphic Studio Dublin (can’t find any details on its website as of 14 May)
* Irish Museum of Modern Art (can’t find any details on its website as of 14 May)
* National Gallery: afternoon session for children and families (3pm-4pm)
* National Museum of Decorative Arts & History Drop in Family Activity (2-3pm)
* National Museum of Ireland, Natural History, Dublin (can’t find any details on its website as of 14 May)
* National Print Museum (2-5pm)
* RUA RED South Dublin Arts Centre Make Your own Flipbook (for 5-8 years at 11am-12pm) and 3D Paper design (for 8-12 years from 12.30pm-1.30pm)
* Temple Bar Gallery and Studios, Dublin, Children's Workshop "Drawing with Nature" (11am-12pm)
* The Ark - A Cultural Centre for Children, Temple Bar (can’t find any details on its website as of 14 May)
* Number 29, Georgian House Museum, Dublin (can’t find any details on its website as of 14 May)
* The Chester Beatty Library, Dublin Creative Lab for Teens event (1pm-4pm) and also drop in mini workshops and drawing demonstrations
* The LAB, Dublin (can’t find any details on its website as of 14 May)
* The Pearse Museum (will have drawing materials available all day)

Africa Day Dublin 25th May

To celebrate Africa Day 2014, Irish Aid is hosting a family event ‘Africa Day Dublin’ on Sunday, 25th May 2014 in the grounds of the Farmleigh Estate in the Phoenix Park, Dublin from 11am – 6pm. 

This is to be a family-focused event and will be free of charge to attend. The main stage will feature performers such as Kila; Tig Linn; Colours Afrobeat Foundation; The Amazing Few and Square Pegs. There will also be an ‘African Bazaar’ with stalls from over 20 different African countries, offering food, drumming, dance, hair-braiding, henna hand-painting, traditional fashion designs etc. African community groups and a range of development NGOs will be present in the bazaar offering fun activities, while the African embassies in Ireland will also be represented at the event. Emerging rap and hip hop artists will have their own stage to showcase their talent. Children will be entertained in the kidszone with theatre performances, dancing, drumming, a circus show, face-painting, mask-making, storytelling and sports.

Leopardstown Family Fun Raceday

Racing at Leopardstown on Sunday 11th May features the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial.  The day is also the Leopardstown Family Fun Raceday. Families can enjoy a bit of racing at Dublin’s only racecourse and some family fun activities on the day. All activities and entertainment are freeonce at the event and activities start at 1pm and include:

• Bouncy castles
• Wooly Wards Pet Farm
• Custard Pie Puppet Show
• Frontrunner Racing Club
• Balloon modelling
• Face painting

Dublin Docklands Summer Festival

The Dublin Dockland’s Summer Festival is taking place on the 17th & 18th May 2014 on Grand Canal Dock. Some events may be of interest e.g. try kayaking session, decorate your own duck workshop for children, duck race, barge tours, street performances, funfair attractions, wake boarding demonstrations and the international food market.

Café Java Charity Cycle, Walk and Family Fun Day

The 3rd Annual Café Java Charity Cycle, Walk and Family Fun Day in aid of SVP and Aware, Sandymount Green (from 12pm) is taking place this Saturday May 10th at Sandymount Green from 12pm.

There is a testing 40k cycle route and an easy 20k cycle route on the flat.  There is also a 5k Family fun cycle route weaving in & around Sandymount.  If you're not a cyclist, you can walk the 5k guided walking route.

Family Funday on Sandymount Green with complimentary t-shirts, food & drink stalls, BBQ & Kids Zone with ice cream van, face painting, balloons, music, 98FM bus

Bark in the Park

Bark in the Park is takes place on Sunday 25th May in Marlay Park, Tymon Park, St Anne’s Park and Phoenix Park. Dog owners are encouraged to register online for the sponsored walk and then bring their pooch for a 3-4 km walk around a specially paw printed route starting at 3pm on the 25thMay. It should take approximately 30 – 45 minutes. As well as the actual walk, each event will include a raffle, music, goody bags and prizes for the dog with the Best Bark, Shiniest Coat, Happiest Smile and Waggiest Tail. 

All funds raised will go towards the work of The Irish Blue Cross animal welfare charity with sick and needy pets.

Dublin Writers Festival 2014

The Dublin Writer’s Festival is on again this year from the 17th-25th May.

The festival has an interesting looking children's programme and teen programme covering a wide age range. 

A Gruffalo birthday party; an 8 ft tall Story Bird who will be flying all over Dublin; workshops; author talks; book clinics; family storytime; art workshops; a comic strip workshop and more - there is someone for everyone.  
So check it out.  I have put all the relevant events in my May events post.

BioBlitz

Ireland’s BioBlitz brings together scientists and recorders in a race against time to see how many species can be recorded in a 24-hour biological survey of four of Ireland’s heritage sites. The public is invited to observe the activities, to interact with the recorders and to participate in the range of other activities arranged by the host venues. By pitting the four venues against each other, it will bring an added dimension to the event, allowing comparisons to be made between the sites, and to gain further insights into the relative biological richness of the different habitats.

Ireland’s BioBlitz is designed to increase public awareness of the variety of life in Ireland and to highlight some of the ecological services that biodiversity provides to enhance our quality of life at the global and the local level. It is also hoped to demonstrate the high level of skill and expertise necessary to study many aspects of Ireland’s biological diversity.

Ireland’s BioBlitz 2014 will see four heritage sites compete in this year’s event on 23 & 24 May. The four sites offer a variety of habitats and biodiversity interest, which should make for interesting recording. One of the four sites is Howth Head in Dublin.

If you are interested in assisting with the recording or just wish to participate in the programme of events that the Howth Head site will provide on the day, email Maria Walsh at mwalsh@biodiversityireland.ie  

Essential Gathering Festival

The Essential Gathering Festival will take place this May bank holiday weekend (3rd and 4th May) in Ardgillan Castle, Balbriggan.

Street performers, therapies, dance demonstrations, music, arts, meditation and kids corner are on the programme. 

There will be some groovy activities lined up for children including a spiritual dance, treasure hunt, arts and crafts, face painting, and the Dublin Community Circus. There is also a state of the art children’s playground on site where you can take the children.

May Events

Here is a list of family and children oriented events I have come across in Dublin this May.

Updated 23rd May.

Thursday 1st May
* Tallaght Young Filmakers, Rua Red (5-7pm)

Saturday May 3rd
* Art Trolley Session, Rua Red (10.30am-11.30am)
* Family Film - High School Musical, Rua Red (12pm)
* May Bank Holiday Workshop, Dublin City Gallery the Hugh Lane (2pm)
* Art in Action, Farmleigh House
* Little Red Riding Hood, Lambert Puppet Theatre (3.30pm)
* Tiny Traddies, The Ark (ages 2-3 @ 10-10.45am and ages 3-4 @ 11.15am -12.00pm)
* Ukulele Céilí, The Ark (11.30am and 2.30pm)
* Family First Saturday, Dublinia
* Falconry Event, Kilruddery House (1.30pm)
* Star Wars Invasion, RDS
* Visit Phibsborough Firestation - part of Phizzfest 2014 (10.30am and 2pm)
* Children's IYoga Circus Parade, Canalside Park at Shandon Gardens - part of PhizzFest 2014 (12pm-1pm)
* Fifth Lock Cup - Canoe Polo Competition - part of PhizzFest 2014 (10am-5pm)
* The Essential Gathering Festival, Ardgillan Castle, Balbriggan
* Woolapalooza Sheep Festival 2014, Airfield
* Wild Bunch – part of Exploring Nature DLR’s Biodiversity Events, Killiney Hill (2-4pm)

Sunday 4th May
* Sunday Family Sketching, Dublin City Gallery the Hugh Lane (2pm)
* Art in Action, Farmleigh House
* Children’s Art Cart Workshop “Summer Flowers of the Walled Garden”, The Phoenix Park Visitor centre (11am-12.30pm)
* Star Wars Invasion, RDS
* Community Fun Day - part of PhizzFest 2014, Royal Canal 4th Lock, Shandon and Mount Bernard Park (2.00pm - 6.00pm)
* Fifth Lock Cup - Canoe Polo Competition - part of PhizzFest 2014 (10am-3pm)
* Annual Duck Race - part of PhizzFest 2014, Royal Canal, 4th Lock (5.00 pm)
* The Essential Gathering Festival, Ardgillan Castle, Balbriggan
* RHA Art Cart in the RHA Atrium every Sunday (2.30-4.30pm)
* Woolapalooza Sheep Festival 2014, Airfield

Monday 5th May
* Art in Action, Farmleigh House
* Star Wars Invasion, RDS

Tuesday 6th May
* Tiny Tot Tuesday, Draíocht (10.30-11.30am)

Thursday 8th May
* Tallaght Young Filmakers, Rua Red (5-7pm)

Friday 9th May
* The Final Frontier: Sci-fi & Fantasy Blockbusters, The National Concert Hall (8pm)
* Harold's Cross Festival

Saturday May 10th
* Our Newest Neighbours Family Tour, National Museum of Natural History (12-12.45pm & 2-2.45pm)
* The Wiz of Oz, Pavilion Theatre (7pm)
* Peppa Pig’s Big Splash, The Olympia (10am, 1pm and 4pm)
* Art Trolley Session, Rua Red (10.30am-11.30am)
* Little Red Riding Hood, Lambert Puppet Theatre (3.30pm)
* Giro Fan Park, Merrion Square Park
* AfriKaa!: for Children with Autistic Spectrum Condition, The National Concert Hall (11am, 12.15pm and 2pm)
* Children's Event: Pond dipping, National Botanic Gardens (11am)
* Intercultural Tour - Mandarin language tour and family-friendly activities with Tiedong Yang, Chester Beatty Library (1pm)
* Silk Worm Club Events for children aged 6-11 years - Decorative Bookbinding, Chester Beatty Library (2-3.30pm)
* Harold's Cross Festival
* Irish Cycling Show, Merrion Square
* 3rd Annual Café Java Charity Cycle, Walk and Family Fun Day, Sandymount Green (from 12pm) 
* Nature Walk - part of Exploring Nature DLR’s Biodiversity Events, Killiney Hill (2.30 – 4.30pm)

Sunday 11th May
* The Wiz of Oz, Pavilion Theatre (7pm)
* Children’s Art Cart Workshop “Badges to Wear”, The Phoenix Park Visitor centre (11am-12.30pm)
* Peppa Pig’s Big Splash, The Olympia (10am, 1pm and 4pm)
* Giro Fan Park, Merrion Square Park
* Harold's Cross Festival
* Irish Cycling Show, Merrion Square
* RHA Art Cart in the RHA Atrium every Sunday (2.30-4.30pm)
* Birdwatching, Dublin Zoo (11am-12.30pm)
* Leopardstown Family Fun Raceday

Monday 12th May
* Morning Shorts, Rua Red (11am)

Thursday 15th May
* Tallaght Young Filmakers, Rua Red (5-7pm)

Friday 16th May
* Jack and the Beanstalk, Pavilion Theatre (4.30pm)
* Tiny Tot Workshop, National Gallery (2-2.35pm)

Saturday 17th May
* Native Species Weekend at Dublin Zoo
* National Drawing Day - loads of all over Dublin - see my post on it   
* Family Tour, National Gallery (12.30pm-1pm)
* Art Trolley Session, Rua Red (10.30am-11.30am)
* Jack and the Beanstalk, Draíocht (11am, 2pm and 4pm)
* Little Red Riding Hood, Lambert Puppet Theatre (3.30pm)
* Pip Jones and Squishy McFluff – part of the Dublin Writer’s Festival, The Ark (11.30am)
* Chris Judge and the Dublin Story Bird – part of the Dublin Writer’s Festival, The Ark (11am and 1pm)
* Derek Landy – part of the Dublin Writer’s Festival, The Ark (4pm)
* Gruffalo's Birthday Party - as part of the Dublin Writer's Festival, The Gutter Bookshop (11am)
* Chester Beatty's Creative Lab for Teens Characters and Comics, Chester Beatty Library (1-4pm)
* Dublin Dockland’s Summer Festival, Grand Canal Dock 

Sunday 18th May
* Native Species Weekend at Dublin Zoo
* Zoo Kids Club Animal Alley, Dublin Zoo (11am-12.30pm)
* Family Music and Songs: Viking Wacky Tales, National Museum of Archaeology (3-4pm)
* Hands on History Drop in Activity, National Museum of Decorative Arts & History (3-4pm)
* Children’s Art Cart Workshop “Birds and their Habitats”, The Phoenix Park Visitor centre (11am-12.30pm)
* Building the City with Stories – part of the Dublin Writer’s Festival, The Ark (12pm)
* Book Clinic - part of the Dublin Writer’s Festival, The Ark (12.15pm – 2.30pm)
* Karen McCombie - part of the Dublin Writer’s Festival, The Ark (3pm)
* Family Storytime - part of the Dublin Writer's Festival, The Gutter Bookshop (11am-11.45am)
* Family event: Garden Bird Safari, National Botanic Gardens (11am)
* RHA Art Cart in the RHA Atrium every Sunday (2.30-4.30pm)
* Dublin Dockland’s Summer Festival, Grand Canal Dock 
* Search for ladybirds at St Enda's Park, Nature Room (2.30pm)
* Family Day Festival, Iveagh Gardens (11am - 5pm)
* Junior Gigs - part of the Skerries Trad Festival, Keane's Bus Bar (3pm)
* Malahide Vintage Car Show, The Grand Hotel in Malahide 

Monday 19th May
* Baby Workshop, National Gallery (2-2.35pm)

Thursday 22nd May
* Smashed – part of the Dublin Dance Festival 2014, Pavilion Theatre (7pm)
* Tallaght Young Filmakers, Rua Red (5-7pm)
* L’après-midi d’un Foehn – Version 1 (part of the Dublin Dance Festival), The Ark (4pm, 7pm, 9pm)
* International Biodiversity Day, Bull Island (10am-4.30pm)

Friday 23rd May
* Smashed – part of the Dublin Dance Festival 2014, Pavilion Theatre (7pm)
* L’après-midi d’un Foehn – Version 1 (part of the Dublin Dance Festival), The Ark (7pm)

Saturday 24th May
* Smashed – part of the Dublin Dance Festival 2014, Pavilion Theatre (3pm and 7pm)
* Bodies in Urban Space – part of the Dublin Dance Festival 2014, City Trail Location TBC (1pm and 4pm)
* L’après-midi d’un Foehn – Version 1 (part of the Dublin Dance Festival), The Ark (12.30pm, 2pm & 7pm)
* Art Trolley Session, Rua Red (10.30am-11.30am)
* Sir Scallywag and the Golden Underpants, National Concert Hall (3pm)
* Little Red Riding Hood, Lambert Puppet Theatre (3.30pm)
* Budding Artists (suitable for 4-7 year olds), National Botanic Gardens (11am-12.30pm)
* Hardy Annuals (suitable for 8-12 year olds), National Botanic Gardens (2-4pm)
* Pure Magic, Battle for the Bay Kite Surfing Festival, Dollymount Strand
* A Lark in the Park, Fairview Park (2-5pm)
* Ireland’s BioBlitz , Howth Head

* The Jungle Book by Indigo Moon Theatre, The Axis in Ballymun (2.30pm)
* Family Storytime - part of the Dublin Writer's Festival, The Gutter Bookshop (11am-11.45am)
* Ely Dolan with Nuts in Space - part of the Dublin Writer's Festival, Waterways Ireland Visitor Centre (11.30am)
* David Roberts and Dirty Bertie - part of the Dublin Writer's Festival, Waterways Ireland Visitor Centre (12.30pm)
* Stephen Butler and the Diary of Dennis the Menace - part of the Dublin Writer's Festival, Waterways Ireland Visitor Centre (1.30pm)
* Alan Nolan's Comic Strip Workshop - part of the Dublin Writer's Festival, Waterways Ireland Visitor Centre (2.45-4pm)
* Battle of the Bay, Dollymount Beach 

Sunday 25th May
* Teddy Bear’s Picnic, Powerscourt Waterfall (1-3pm)
* Teddy Bear’s Picnic, Kilruddery House (9am)
* Children’s Art Cart Workshop “Medieval Life – includes a visit to Ashtown Castle”, The Phoenix Park Visitor centre (11am-12.30pm)
* L’après-midi d’un Foehn – Version 1 (part of the Dublin Dance Festival), The Ark (12.30pm, 2pm & 3.30pm)
* Pure Magic, Battle for the Bay Kite Surfing Festival, Dollymount Strand
* IFI Family - My Neighbours The Yamadas, Irish Film Institute (11am)
* RHA Art Cart in the RHA Atrium every Sunday (2.30-4.30pm)
* Ireland’s BioBlitz , Howth Head
* Family Storytime - part of the Dublin Writer's Festival, The Gutter Bookshop (11am-11.45am)
* Rachel Bright's Love Monster - part of the Dublin Writer's Festival, Waterways Ireland Visitor Centre (12pm)
* What's Your Story Finale with Chris Judge - part of the Dublin Writer's Festival, Waterways Ireland Visitor Centre (1-2.30pm)
* Laura Dockrill - Darcy Burdock Event- part of the Dublin Writer's Festival, Waterways Ireland Visitor Centre (3pm)
* Rockpooling for families – part of Exploring Nature DLR’s Biodiversity Events, Sandycove Beach (11am-12pm)
*  ‘Africa Day Dublin’, Farmleigh Estate in the Phoenix Park (11am – 6pm) 
* Battle of the Bay, Dollymount Beach 

Monday 26th May
* Yes to Young Talent, National Concert Hall (7.30pm)

Tuesday 27th May
* Ruaille Buaille Lucan Children’s Music Festival 

Wednesday 28th May
* Ruaille Buaille Lucan Children’s Music Festival 

Thursday 29th May
* Tallaght Young Filmakers, Rua Red (5-7pm)
* Bloom in the Park, Phoenix Park
* Ruaille Buaille Lucan Children’s Music Festival 

Friday 30th May
* Bloom in the Park, Phoenix Park
* Ruaille Buaille Lucan Children’s Music Festival 

Saturday 31st May
* Runic Riddles, National Museum of Archaeology (11am-1pm)
* Art Trolley Session, Rua Red (10.30am-11.30am)
* Little Red Riding Hood, Lambert Puppet Theatre (3.30pm)
* Bloom in the Park, Phoenix Park
* Dublin River Fest, Grand Canal Dock