Festivals Galway Film Fleadh
July 7th-12th
Galway-based youngsters should make their way to the Townhall Theatre, Galway on Wednesday, July 8th at noon to catch the world premiere of A Very Unlucky Leprechaun, a children's movie shot in and around Connemara (admission free). The shorts and animation programme also features some films of interest to young people such as Keep Off The Grass and Walter Ego. Tel: 091-751655.
Galway Arts Festival
July 11th-26th WHILE the Macnas Carnival of Fools parade at 3 p.m. on Sunday, July 19th is undoubtedly the highlight for many young folk who manage to get better viewing positions than most - on adult shoulders; another spectacle which older children will also enjoy is Theater Titanick's production of Titanic (10.15 p.m. July 17th-19th, tickets, adults: £7.50, £6.50; children: £5). The Galway Arts Festival has a children's programme of daytime shows which run in the Town Hall Studio and in the Footsbarn Tent, Fisheries Field. These are Henry And The Seashore (for three to eight-year-olds), Groovy Not Gravy (for all ages) and Winnie The Pooh (for four to seven-year-olds). Tickets for all shows: £3.50. Tel: 1890 566 577.
Boyle Arts Festival
July 23th-August 1st WITH workshop themes ranging from poetry and art to interactive storytelling, computer graphics and percussion/sound engineering, diverse talents will be catered for. Tonnta street performers and Alno Folkdansgille, a Swedish folk group will entertain all on the children's day on Saturday, July 25th. Tel: 079-63485.
Kilkenny Arts Week
August 15th-23rd
St Canice's primary school is the venue for workshops in music, drama and art from August 17th21st. Storyteller Eddie Linehan will read for children at the Watergate Theatre on August 20th. Meanwhile, four to sevenyear-olds around the county should check out the Booster Cusion Theatre Company's theatrical readings for children in libraries on August 18th, 19th and 21st.
Finally, watch out for the theatre spectacle, Strollers, to be performed in the towns and villages of Co Kilkenny on August 15th, 16th, 22nd and 23rd. Tel: 056-63663.
Fleadh Ceol na hEireann
August 28th-30th
Competitions for budding and experienced musicians and dancers of all ages in Ballina, Co Mayo. Tel: 088-2775317.
Cape Clear Island Storytelling Festival
September 4th-6th A FEAST of stories for all ages, specific children's activities include storytelling sessions in English and as Gaeilge. Also a puppet-making workshop and show. Tel: 028-39157.
Playgrounds
Although familiar haunts for young children and parents, minders and/or older brothers and sisters, out-of-towners visiting Dublin may well enjoy some carefree shopless time in city parks. The best playgrounds: Bushy Park, Terenure, Marlay Park, Rathfarnham - Malahide Castle grounds, Malahide, Co Dublin (a visit to the Fry Model Railway collection of handmade models of Irish trains in the grounds of Malahide Castle is an option on rainy days). And for those willing to pay for more elaborate playground activities, Fort Lucan in Lucan, Co Dublin (opening hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily; admission: £4 per child, adults and under-twos free; tel: 01-6280166) and Clara Lara fun park in the vale of Clara, Rathdrum, Co Wicklow (opening hours: 10.30 a.m.-6 p.m. daily; admission: £4; tel: 0404 46161) are particularly good options. Meanwhile, Dublin Corporation family fun afternoons (from 3 p.m.-5 p.m.) continue throughout the summer in the following venues: Bushy Park, Terenure on July 5th, St Anne's Park, Raheny on July 19th, Mountjoy Square Park, Dublin city centre on July 26th and Albert College Park, Glasnevin on August 9th. In north Co Dublin, family days also go ahead in the Newbridge Demense, Donabate on July 5th and in Malahide Castle on August 2nd. And in south Co Dublin, family days take place in the People's Park, Dun Laoghaire on July 19th, in Blackrock Park on July 25th, in Rathfarnham Castle on July 26th and in Cabinteely Park on August 9th.
Courses
Gaiety School of Acting acting classes
For the first time, this drama school moves outside Dublin's Temple Bar with summer schools in the UCC Granary Theatre, Cork; Ardscoil Mhuire, Corbally, Limerick; the YMCA, Wexford and Froebel College, Blackrock, Co Dublin. With a method based on theatre games and improvisation, courses are divided into age groups from eight-10, 11-13 and 14-16. Tel: 01-6799277 for application forms for all courses which continue throughout July and August. Fee: £85 and £100 for two-week courses which run in the mornings or afternoons and £125/ £145 respectively for Dublinbased week-long courses, Making a Play/Making a Movie.
Betty Ann Norton Theatre School
From July 6th-11th in St Louis High School, Rathmines, Dublin, this course promises to offer guidance in such diverse creative expressions as mime, music, puppetry, dance drama and video. Suitable for six to 13-year-olds. Fee: £75. Tel: 014751913.
Act One Drama School
Two week-long afternoon courses for nine to 13-year-olds and week-long courses for six to eight-year-olds in Rathfarnham War Memorial Hall, Terenure, Dublin in July. The former includes a visit backstage at the Gate Theatre and working with a film stuntman while the latter promises lots of drama games, dance and voice-work, culminating in a live puppet show for the participants. Tel: 01-4961018.
The Busy Bee School of Cooking
Open to 11 to 16-year-olds, this summer school has an added advantage in that the participants can bring home their cooked dishes. The school in Killiney, Co Dubin provides all equipment and basic ingredients. Courses continue from July 6th-August 28th. Fee: £120 for two weeks of classes from 10.30 a.m. 1 p.m. or 2.30 p.m. 5 p.m. Tel: 01-2858674.
South Sligo Summer School
Held in Tubbercurry, Co Sligo, this long-running school offers classes for beginners and experienced players in the uilleann pipes, bodhran, tin whistle, harp, fiddle, piano and button accordions, flute, banjo, guitar and concertina, as well as set dancing and traditional singing workshops. From July 12th-18th. Fee: £20 (for classes, admission to recitals and lectures). Tel: 071-85010/ 85643.
Wonder Camp '98
The Science Works in Tralee, Co Kerry is one of the few places catering for young scientific minds this summer. Their mornings-only weekly courses from July 6th-31st focus on hands-on exploration and fun experiments as well as a daily trip to space in the Planetarium. Cost: £20 per week. Tel: 06629855.
Pine Forest Art Centre
These two-week courses feature art and craft activities including pottery, painting, drawing, woodwork, enamelling, batik and macrame. Classes run from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. for five to 12-year-olds and 13 to 16-year-olds. Start dates: July 13th, July 27th and August 10th. Cost: £115. Tel: 012955598.
Dublin Zoo Camp
Aimed at four to 12-year-olds, the programme includes elements of conservation, ecology, animal art and a look behind the scenes at the zoo. Weekly courses (11 a.m. 3.15 p.m.) from July 13th-17th, 20th-24th and August 10th-14th. Cost: £60. Dublin Zoo also hosts young zoologists days on August 20th and 21st from 11 a.m. 3.15 p.m. and a family fun night on July 24th. Tel: 01-6771425.
Shows
Grease
Opening tomorrow at the Point Theatre, Dublin, for a four-week run, this West End version of the hit 1970s movie stars Luke Goss of Bros fame in the leading role. Harmless fun in the main with a good dollop of old-fashioned teen romance and gang rivalry where the gals are pretty and the guys are tough (well kinda). Tickets: £12.50, £17.50, £22.50 and £26.50. Tel: 018363633.
Hansel and Gretal Billy Goats Gruff
The Saturday offerings from the Lambert Puppet Theatre throughout July. Little Red Riding Hood takes over the slot for August. All shows start at 3.30 p.m. (one-and-a-half hours long) in the Lambert Puppet Theatre, Clifton Lane, Monkstown, Co Dublin. Admission £4.50; tel: 012800974.
Crash! Bang! Wallop!
The brand new show from the children's television characters, Playdays begin a 10-performance run today at the Grand Opera House, Belfast. Shows at 2.30 p.m. today, 10.30 a.m. and 2.30 p.m. Wednesday to Friday and at 10.30 a.m., 2.30 p.m. and 5.30 p.m. on Saturday. Suitable for three to six-year-olds. Tickets: £8. Tel: 08 01232 241919.
Beauty And The Beast
Billed as a "summer pantomime", starring Lionel Blair and Sophie Lawrence, this production opens for a two-week run at the Grand Opera House, Belfast on July 29th, before transferring to the Gaiety Theatre, Dublin for a three-week run from August 11th. Shows daily in Belfast (except Sunday) at 2.30 p.m. and 7 p.m. until Saturday, August 8th. Tickets: £6.50, £10.50, and £34 for family tickets for matinee shows Monday to Friday. Tel: 08 01232 241919. Shows daily in Dublin (except Sunday) at 2.30 p.m. and 7 p.m. until Saturday, August 29th. Tickets £8.50, £10.50 and £12.50. Family tickets available Monday to Thursday. Tel: 016771717.
Little Red Kettle
The Waterford theatre company brings its children's show to The Ark children's cultural centre, Temple Bar, Dublin for performances on August 18th and 19th. Made by children (there are up to 50 in the production), the show is suitable for children of nine years and older. Tickets: £3. Tel: 016707788.
Movies
Barney's Great Adventure
The purple dinosaur takes to the big screen for the first time to lead three children on a musical adventure. Just opened.
Star Kid
Joseph Mazello (from Jurassic Park) plays a shy boy whose life is transformed when he discovers a cyber assault suit from another planet. Opens on Friday.
Grease
With a musical version also on in the Point Theatre, this rerelease of the 1978 movie starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John hopes to introduce a whole new audience to the lifestyles of American high-school students in more innocent times. Opens Friday.
Godzilla
The biggest budget movie of the year features a monster running amok in New York. Starring Matthew Broderick and Jean Reno from the director of Independence Day, Roland Emmerich.
The Little Mermaid
This Disney creation aims to capture a new generation of fans. Opens July 17th.
Paulie
The tale of a parrot who has a mind of his own which - as you can imagine - complicates the lives of those around him. Opens July 24th.
The Magic Sword
An animation classic from Warner Brothers. Opens July 24th.
Lost in Space
A re-make of the 1960s TV series for the big screen with more than 750 special effects, starring Gary Oldman, William Hurt and Mimi Rodgers. Opens July 31st.
Dr Dolittle
A re-make of the popular musical, starring Eddie Murphy. Opens July 31st.
Sport
Sailing
Junior courses approved by the Irish Sailing Association run in the following clubs: the International Sailing School, Cobh, Co Cork (021-811237); the Dingle Sailing Club, Dingle, Co Kerry (066-51984); the Carlingford Adventure Centre, Carlingford, Co Louth (042-73100); Tralee Sailing Club, Fenit, Co Kerry (06636119); the Irish National Sailing School, West Pier, Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin (012844195); the Blessington Activity Centre, Blessington, Co Wicklow (045-865092); the Oysterhaven Centre, Oysterhaven, Co Cork (021-770738); Fastnet Marine Education Centre, Schull Community College, Schull, Co Cork (028-28515); Delphi Adventure Centre, Leenane, Co Galway (095-42208); Clifden Sea Sports, Clifden, Co Galway (095-21711); Kilrush Creek Adventure Centre, Kilrush, Co Clare (065-52595). Telephone individual clubs for more details.
Horse Riding
Riding schools throughout the country offer lessons and ride-outs for beginners and experienced riders. Contact the Association of Irish Riding Establishments, tel: 045-431584.
Tennis
Dublin Corporation runs a programme of tennis coaching for children in parks and community centres throughout the city. Registration costs £35; all coaching is free and equipment is supplied. Tel: 01-8338711. Tennis Ireland-affiliated coach, Mick Smyth runs weekly afternoon courses for beginners, intermediate and advanced players in Terenure College, Dublin throughout July and August, starting next Monday. Cost: £40 per week. Tel: 01-4505341.
Soccer
The Football Association of Ireland runs weekly summer soccer clinics for nine to 16-year-olds in venues throughout the country in July. Cost: £30 per week. Tel: 018900700.
Summer Buzz '98
Swimming lessons, orienteering, canoeing, rock climbing, hill walking etc until the end of July for young people from 13-18 in the Ballymun area. Drop by at the City of Dublin Youth Service Board, Kiosk G, Ballymun Town Centre. Tel: 01-8424838.
Creative
National Concert Hall
A creatively diverse programme of children's workshops begins with a sound sculpture workshop with British artist, Max Eastley on Wednesday, July 15th (suitable for eight to 11-year-olds). Then 10 to 14-year-olds are invited to join a graphic score workshop on Sunday, July 26th. Storytelling and music-making from the West African and Caribbean tradition will feature in a workshop on Saturday, August 15th (all ages). Finally, there is a singing, dancing and composition workshop on August 26th-27th (six to eight-year-olds/nine to 11year-olds). Cost: £5/£10 per workshop. Tel: 01 4751572 for details of all workshops.
National Art Gallery
The children's summer club begins tomorrow with classes most weekdays until July 22nd for four to seven-year-olds and eight to 12year-olds. Tickets which are £2.50 and £3 respectively per class, are available in advance from the gallery shop. Tel: 01-6615133.
Hugh Lane Municipal Gallery of Modern Art
Fancy making a glove puppet or creating your own food cupboard spiders? If so, head for this gallery in Dublin's Parnell Square for the children's art workshops based on the John Kindness exhibition, entitled The Museum of the Old Lady who Swallowed a Fly. A series of four workshops runs from July 21st-24th and July 28th-31st in the mornings for five to eight-year-olds and in the afternoons for nine to 11-year-olds. Cost: £10 per four. Tel: 018741903.
The Ark Children's Cultural Centre
This year's summer season programme at The Ark in Dublin's Temple Bar offers youngsters the choice of popping in for short morning or afternoon bursts of creative activity, or week-long morning or afternoon courses. The fun begins with Carnival where children work in groups on a large-scale project inspired by the imagery of carnivals. Courses which run from July 13th-17th and July 20t-24th, are divided into classes for seven to nine-year-olds, nine-11-year-olds, and 11 to 14-year-olds). Cost £25 per block. Next up is Summer Sounds, lunchtime sessions in which six to 12-year-olds are invited to make music with anklungs (a simple bamboo instrument that you can shake, rattle or beat) under the guidance of musician-in-residence, Nico Brown. Classes daily from July 15th-17th and July 22nd-24th. Tickets: £2.
Drawing The Story is the second pop-in class open to four to six-year-olds, seven to nine-year-olds, nine to 11-year-olds and 11 to 14-year-olds at different times. Here, the idea is to join in an open-ended drawing project connected to stories. Sessions run from July 27th-31st, August 4th8th and August 10th-14th. Cost: £4 per session. Finally, Look At The Emperor is an arts project led by Owen Crawford from August 17th-21st for eight-10-year-olds and 10 to 13-year-olds. Cost: £25. Tel: 016707788.
Young European Master Classes
Held as part of the Summer Sound Festival in The Ark, these master classes for violin and viola are open to five to 15-year-olds from August 24th-28th. Tel: 014905263. Lunchtime concerts daily at 1 p.m. Admission: £3.
ILAC Central Library
Summer Time Treats programme begins tomorrow in Dublin's central library with a Children's Safety workshop with the Irish Red Cross (repeated on Thursday). Forthcoming workshops include arts and crafts (Wednesday, July 8th), drama and music (Monday, July 13th), storytelling and creative writing (Tuesday, July 21st), art (Thursdays, July 23rd and July 30th) and poetry and storytelling (Tuesday, July 28th). All workshops are at 2 p.m. and are suitable for all age groups except those on July 6th and July 13th which are open to six to 12-year-olds only. Tel: 01873 4333. Check at your local library for details of its summer programme of activities for children.
National Museum, Collins Barracks
Children's Choice art exhibition, created by children who have been working in the musuem for the last two months, runs until the end of July. Also, activity sheets to accompany other exhibitions. Opening hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sundays 2 p.m.-5 p.m. Tel: 01-6777444.
Ulster American Folk Park
Apart from being an intriguing place to visit for all ages, this folk park outside Omagh, Co Tyrone will host a Teddy Bears' Picnic for Tiny Tots on Wednesday, July 15th at 2 p.m. Admission free for toddlers and teddies on the day. Tel: 08 01662 256330.
Paint-it-yourself Pottery Studio
Children and adults alike can design their own cups, bowls, plates and tiles in Ireland's only freestyle pottery painting workshop at Eyre St, Galway. Opening hours: Monday to Saturday 11 a.m.-8 p.m., Sunday noon to 7 p.m. No booking necessary. Cost: adults £5, children £2.50 for up to one hour (plus price of item chosen to decorate). Paint-a-Pot parties can also be arranged. Tel: 091561906.
Outdoors
Farm visits
With 11 members the Working Farms of Ireland is an established group of working farms which has been approved by the Royal Dublin Society. They are: Ballylane Farm, New Ross, Co Wexford (tel: 051-425666); Coolnakilly, Glenealy-Ashford, Co Wicklow (tel: 0404-44610); Haydens Farm, Killaveney, Tinahely, Co Wicklow (tel: 0402-34735); Ballard Farm, Kilbeggan, Co Westmeath (tel: 0506-31233); Farmworld, Slieve Camp, Tralee, Co Kerry (tel: 06658200); Millbridge Farm, Goynascale, Convoy, Co Donegal (tel: 074-47125); Springfield Castle Farm, Drumcollogher, Co Limerick (tel: 063-83162); Tullyboy Farm, Tullyboy, Boyle, Co Roscommon (tel: 079-68031); Turoe Farm, Turoe House, Bullaun, Loughrea, Co Galway (tel: 091841580); Woodville Farm, Woodville, Co Sligo (tel: 07162741) and Young McDonald's Animal Park, Askamore, Gorey, Co Wexford (055-26312).
Bog tours
Experience a five-mile guided tour of the Blackwater Bog in Co Offaly aboard the Clonmacnoise and West Offaly Railway. Daily until October 31st, on the hour, every hour from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. starting from Bord na Mona, Blackwater, near Shannonbridge, Athlone, Co Westmeath. Cost: adults £3.75, children £2.30, family rate: £8.95. Tel: 0905-74114.
New Places
IMAX Theatre, Parnell Street, Dublin
With a screen variously described as "the height of the GPO" and "four double-decker buses piled on top of each other", there is no doubting the visual impact of attending a show at Ireland's first IMAX theatre (in the same complex as the Virgin cinemas). The two shows currently running are Everest, a 44-minute documentary of a 1996 expedition which follows the route taken by Sir Edmund Hillery and Tenzing Norgay in 1953 (narrated by Liam Neeson) and The Living Sea, an underwater documentary (narrated by Meryl Streep). Admission: adults £4.95, under 18s £4.25. Tel: 01-8174222.
Historic Science Centre, Birr Castle, Co Offaly
Scheduled to open in August in the restored stableyard, the Historic Science Centre promises to take visitors on scientific journeys through the inventions of the Parsons family, Earls of Rosse and other major Irish scientists. Attention is focused on the third Earl of Rosse's telescope, his son, Charles's steam turbine and Mary Countess of Rosse, a pioneer in the new science of photography in the 1800s. Current opening hours for gardens and telescope: 9 a.m.6 p.m. daily, admission: adults £3.50, children £1.50. Tel: 050920336 for more details.
Wicklow's Historic Gaol, Wicklow town
Men, women and children were detained in this gaol which housed convicts from 1702 until 1924. Actors, interactive displays and audio effects recreate the severity of prison life. Messages written by political prisoners prior to being sent to Australia can be seen on cell walls. Opening hours: 10 a.m.6 p.m. daily. Admission: adults £3.50, children £2. Tel: 040461599.
National Sealife Centre, Bray, Co Wicklow
With touchpools, splashpools, close encounters and face to face contact (well, not quite) with some of the world's most exotic marine and freshwater creatures, this revitalised centre is bound to excite (and may even frighten) young visitors. Open daily from 10 a.m.-6 p.m; admission: adults £4.95, children £3.50. Tel: 012866939.
