The Ark Eustace Street, Temple Bar (01-6707788) The Bless The Beasts exhibition is the inspiration for workshops that begin on July 2nd. Music and painting are the theme of one, while landscape, the sea and travel are the topics of others. The workshops are hands-on with interesting materials. Some are one-off sessions, others are Times and prices from the Ark.
National Gallery Of Ireland - Merrion Square, Dublin 2 (01-6615133)
Three- to six-year-olds can join in one of the hourly classes in the Little Masters programme, July 2nd-6th and 9th-13th (£4 each). Bring your own paper and crayons. Six- to 12-year-olds can join the Kids' Art Attack, themed workshops that run over five days from 10.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m., same dates (£40 per week). Bring sketch pad and coloured pencils.
Triskel Arts Centre Tobin Street, Cork (021-4272022) July 10th-21st
Make your own flags, collages, puppets, rain sticks, sand paintings and more at these workshops, which run from July 10th to 14th and 16th to 21st. Six- to nine-year-olds can join in any day from 10.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m.; nine- to 12-year-olds can join the afternoon classes at 2.30 p.m. (£6 per class).
Dra∅ocht Blanchardstown, Dublin 15 (01-8852610) July 28th-August 11th
Based around the At Home With Art exhibition, these workshops for five- to eight- and nine- to 12-year-olds focus on children's interpretation of homes, houses and their contents. August 7th-10th, -12.30 p.m. (£10). Another invites families to take part in a class on their dream home. July 28th and August 11th, 2.30p.m-4.30 p.m. (£5 per family). Book before July 20th.
The Botanic Art School Prospect Ave, Glasnevin (01-8304720) July-August Professional art tuition and an introduction to drama for s. The courses run from Monday to Friday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., at a cost of £70. Each course ends with a drama presentation and art exhibition. A sketching trip to the National Botanic Gardens nearby is incorporated into the week's activities. Each class is limited to 12 children.
Hugh Lane Gallery Parnell Square, Dublin 1 (01-8749294) July-August
Six- to 10-year-olds can pop by for a one-hour workshop at 11 a.m. any Thursday in July or August, which Cost cost (£3). Ten- to 14-year-olds can join Clea van der Grijn in a -19th, 11 a.m.-12.30 p.m. (£10). Eamon Coleman leads another three-day workshop for the over-14s, -26th. Advance booking recommended. The gallery also hosts summer tours for families, incorporating workshops, on July 8th (for 6- to 10-year-olds) and August 5th (for nine- to 12-year-olds), admission free.
Film & Theatre
Act One School Of Acting Rathgar Road, Rathmines (01-4961018) July 2nd-6th
Film director and writer Gerry Stembridge, actress and comedian Pauline McLynn and broadcaster Dave Fanning are among those leading this workshop for 14- to 18-year-olds, July 2nd-6th, which costs which costs £75
Betty Ann Norton Street, Dublin 2 (01-4751913) July 2nd-August 12th Summer courses began yesterday at this reputable theatre school, but places are still available on the week-long summer drama courses for six- to 13-year-olds, starting on July 2nd and August 7th. Budding actors aged 14-17 can join a week-long course on July 23rd. All courses end with performances for parents and friends, and cost £80-£95.
The Gaiety School Of Acting
Meeting House Square, Temple Bar www.gaietyschool.com, 01-6799277) July 2nd-August 10th
The place where many well-known actors whetted their appetites for acting. The Young Gaiety Summer School offers one-and two-week courses for those aged eight-10, 11-13 and 14-16, starting on July 2nd. There are also week-long courses on film making, acting for the camera and playwriting. Courses take place in Temple Bar and Blackrock, and cost Cuban percussionist Juan Cuco Castellanos will lead five musicians in the Rhythms of Cuba family workshop, for those South Great Georges Street, Dublin 2
Waltons New School Of Music South Great Georges Street, Dublin 2 (01-4781884) This popular school offers music students the opportunity to take up a new instrument and children aged five to nine a chance to join in a fun week of music. The latter runs July 2nd-6th, 9.30 a.m.-1.30 p.m. and includes segments on listening to music, examining and playing instruments and performing. Each costs £80, and early booking is recommended.
The Ark Eustace Street, Temple Bar(01-6707788) From July 2nd
There are six music and dance workshops in the Ark's busy summer programme. These focus on such themes as Flamenco, Indian instruments (sitar, tabla and others) and the accordion. Workshops begin on July 2nd. Check out the programme for more details.
Brendan Scully Sackville Place, Dublin 1 (01-8780095) From July 2nd
Salsa is a new feature at this dynamic school, which runs dance - jazz, latin, salsa and freestyle. The summer school runs for two weeks from July 2nd. Cost £120. Advance booking essential.
National Performing Arts Barrow Street, Dublin 4 (01-6684035) July 9th-August 17th A wide-ranging programme for four- to 20-year-olds, in three age groups, includes jazz dance, funk, disco, singing, theatre, television and film workshops. Weekly courses run from July 9th to August 17th and cost £43-£84.
Dra∅ocht Blanchardstown, Dublin 15 (01-8852610) July 9th-August 24th Fourteen- to 20-year-olds are invited to become part of a dance company for a week, creating movement pieces and working towards a performance. Courses run -17th for -24th for 16- to 20-year-olds, and cost Cost (£35). The closing date for applications is July 20th. Drama, music and movement workshops run July 9th-13th for 7- to 12-year-oldsto 13th and July 16th-20th for 13- to 18-year-olds
Irish Writers' Centre Parnell Square, Dublin 1 (01-8721302) July 9th-13th
This new storytelling and writing workshop for 10- to 12-years-olds is led by children's author Siobhβn Parkinson, who will help participants to create, write and illustrate stories. July 9th-13th, 10 a.m.-12.30 p.m.
The Ark Eustace Street, Temple Bar (01-6707788) July 30th-August 10th
Children's authors Larry and Aislinn O'Loughlin will lead a creative-writing session on the first day of a four-day workshop. A Make a Book workshop for 8- to 12-year-olds runs -August 2nd (£20). In Spinning a Yarn, eight- to 12-year-olds will learn how to bring a story alive using fabrics, wool, thread and other materials; August 7th-10th (£5 per session)
Busy Bee Summer School Killiney, Co Dublin (01-2858674) Until August 24th
Boys and girls aged between 11 and 16 can learn the basics of cookery, perhaps a dying art, at this well-known course run by Bee Mannix-Walsh. The school provides equipment and basic ingredients. Running from 10.30 a.m. to 1 p.m. each day, a week-long course costs £130, including collection from and return to Dalkey DART station.
Museum & Library Days
Visits to local museums and libraries can be surprisingly good fun on rainy days over the summer. Many local libraries and regional museums also run special children's events over the summer months. Go along and find out what's on locally.
National Museum Of Ireland Kildare Street, Merrion Square and Collins Barracks, Dublin (01-6777444) A hands-on history school takes place over three weeks at Collins Barracks from July 3rd. Puppet making, paper making and sculpting will be explored by three artists. Classes run from 11 a.m. to 1p.m. between Tuesday and Friday each week. Admission is free but booking's essential. Dublin 1 (01-8734333)
Central Library ILAC Centre, Dublin 1 (01-8734333)
Magic shows, junior book clubs, talks on animals, board games and storytelling are all part of the library's summer activities, for which admission is free. The library is open 10 a.m.-8 p.m. from Monday to Thursday10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Sport
Tennis Children living close to public or community tennis courts can participate in the Kit Kat Parks Tennis programme, which runs throughout July. Registration takes place at most venues at 2 p.m. on June 29th. Details from libraries, schools and sports shops, or from 01-8338711.
Soccer
Brazilian coaches are running the Samba Soccer Summer Camps around the Republic. Most venues have five week-long camps, starting on July 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd and 30th (£55 per week). More details from the Samba Soccer School, RMC House, Kenilworth Square North, Dublin 6 (01-4972455). The Football Association of Ireland also runs schools between June 25th and August 24th, open to boys and girls aged 8-16 (£35 per week). More details from 01-8900700. School coaches and former players will run week-long coaching sessions, for six- to 14-year-olds at Blackrock RFC, Terenure College RFC and Wanderers FC Merrion Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin. CosT (£45 per week). More details from 01-2811028.
Rugby Week-long coaching by school coaches for six- to 14-year-olds at Blackrock RFC, Terenure College RFC and Wanderers FC Merrion Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin. Cost (£45 per week). More details from 01-2811028.
Sailing Novice sailors and would-be windsurfers can take lessons at one of the many sailing centres throughout the Republic. List of certified courses from the Irish Sailing Association (01-2800239). Glenans Irish Sailing Club also runs junior dinghy, windsurfing and cruising courses at its centres in Co Mayo and Co Cork (01-6611481 for availability).
Horse Riding
For children who would like to develop their horse-riding skills, or start from scratch, contact the Association of Irish Riding Establishments (045-431584) for details of trekking and trail-riding centres and riding schools
Festivals
Cork Midsummer Festival Cork
Clowns, musicians, acrobats and puppeteers will fill the streets of Cork city centre on Friday and Saturday from 1.30 p.m. A Mad Hatter's Tea Party in Emmet Place and the Cork Opera House marks the end of this year's festival.
Earagail Arts Festival Co Donegal (www.donegalculture.com, 074-20777), July 9th-22nd
With more than 100 events in 32 venues across north Donegal, this festival has an abundance of arts activities for children and teenagers. Highlights include Blue Boat Theatre, one of Scotland's best-loved children's companies, which brings its show Tum Tum Tinker to Donegal.
Galway Film Fleadh Galway city (www.galwayfilmfleadh.com, 091-751655), July 10th-15th
Teenage film buffs may like to catch Ikingut, an Icelandic film about friendship, The Testimony Of Taliesin Jones from Martin Duffy, George Washington, a surreal look at life through the eyes of a black teenager from America's Deep South, and The Crooked Mile, a coming-of-age movie set in Co Waterford. Help, I'm A Fish, an animated underwater adventure, is a must-see for younger audiences.
Galway Arts Festival Galway city (www.galwayartsfestival.ie, 091-509700), July 17th-29th
A magical interpretation of , are among the shows on offer. Three actors - Pauline McLynn, Seamus Moran and Frankie McCafferty - will tell tales in storytelling sessions. Terry Jones, the writer, director and former Python, will also give a children's reading.
Kilkenny Arts Festival Kilkenny city (www.kilkennyarts.ie, 056-63663), August 10th-19th
With postmodern clown Jim Jackson, a puppet version of The Emperor's New Clothes and Banyan Theatre Company's production of The History Of Tom Thumb. Join workshops on instrument making, puppet making, Latin and African percussion and paper making. Special events include a screening of The Boy From Mercury by Martin Duffy, with Tom Courtenay and HughO'Conor, at the Wexford Arts Centre on July 18th and a glove-puppet show by P·ca Puppets in Enniscorthy on August 22nd.
Films:
SHREK A big hit in the US, this animated comedy from DreamWorks is bound to fill cinemas. The story is about an ugly green ogre who rescues a princess with the help of a talking donkey. Opens Friday.
CATS &DOGS In this comedy, possibly the most charming film of the summer, dogs try to save humans from falling under the rule of cats. Opens August 3rd.
DR. DOLITTLE 2 Eddie Murphy plays the doctor who talks to animals, whose new mission is to seek a mate for an endangered . Opens August 3rd.
FINAL FANTASY A futuristic effects-driven animation adventure based on the best-selling interactive computer game. Opens August 3rd.
JURASSIC PARK III Joe Johnson takes over from Steven Spielberg as director. With Sam Neill, William H. Macy and Tea Leoni. Opens July 20th
POK╔MON 3 Ash Ketchum and his friends journey to a mountain town. Opens July 13th.
RECESS: SCHOOL'S OUT Animated Disney comedy based on the children's television series. Opens July 27th.
Performance
Family Fun/Diversions Meeting House Square, Temple Bar (01-6772255) Free circus performances, mime acts, _acrobatics and music, 2.3 p.m.- 4.30 p.m.
Civic Theatre Tallaght, Dublin 24 (01-4627477) The Armagh Rhymers present The Enormous Turnip,
Pavilion Theatre D·n Laoghaire, Co Dublin (01-2312929)
A Box Full of Fun is the title of the week of activities for those aged eight and under, which takes place from August 7th to 11th. Brazilian company Circo Theatro Udi Grudi will perform its -23rd at 7.30 p.m., with matinees at 2p.m. on August 24th and Pinocchio is on this Saturday and Sunday at 3.30 p.m., followed by Sleeping Beauty on Saturdays and Sundays.
Lambert Puppet Theatre Monkstown, Co Dublin (01-2800974) Pinocchio is on this Saturday and Sunday at 3.30 p.m., followed by Sleeping Beauty on Saturdays and Sundays in July.
Wildlife Camps
Dublin Zoo Phoenix Park, Dublin (www.dublinzoo.ie)
Suitable for six- to 12-year-olds, these popular camps include junior ecology, arts and crafts and African culture. The first week-long camp (11 a.m.-3.15 p.m.) begins on July 9th. A camp for 13- to 16-year-olds runs August 13th-17th (also 11a.m.-3.15p.m.), with a focus on the work of a zoologist (£70). There are Young Zoologists Days for six- to 12-year-olds on August 23rd and 24th (£12).
Fota Wildlife Park Carrigtwohill, Co Cork (www.fotawildlife.ie, 021-4812678)
This wonderful wildlife park, just 10 miles from Cork city, has four week-long camps (11a.m.-4p.m.) in July. Suitable for four- to 12-year-olds, they offer opportunities to get behind the scenes with animals and participate in seed planting and animal-themed games and sports (£50/members £45).
Family Days In The Park
Check local papers for details of days in your area. Also, if visiting St Stephen's Green in Dublin, stroll pass the bandstand, where groups will perform jazz, country, traditional and folk at weekday lunchtimes and from 3p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays. There is also music on Sunday afternoons in the Phoenix Park and St Enda's,
Ulster American Folk Park Co Tyrone (048-82243292)
Don't go if you are tired, because you won't be able to take in all this park has to offer. It celebrates US Independence Day on July 4th and 5th. Open Monday to Saturday 10.30a.m.-4.30p.m. and Sunday 11a.m.-5p.m.children £2.50, families £10, under-fives free).
Ballinafagh Farm Maze Prosperous, Co Kildare (www.millenniummaze.com , 045-861590)
This is the real thing, covering 1.5 acres. Bring your picnic or barbecue. Sandpits and small animals for younger children, crazy golf for older ones. Noon-6 p.m. daily (adults £3.50, children £2.50, More than 30 displays with hundreds of sea and freshwater creatures. Opening hours: 10a.m.-5p.m. daily (adults £5.50, children £3.95, families £20, under-fours free).Get close to farm animals and pets. Has picnic tables and a coffee shop. Opening hours: 10a.m.-5p.m Monday to Friday, 10a.m-6p.m. Saturdays and Sundays (adults £3, children £2.50).
National Sealife Bray, Co Wicklow (www.sealife.ie , 01-2866939) More than 30 displays with hundreds of sea and freshwater creatures. Opening hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily (adults £5.50, children £3.95,families £20, under-fours free).
Glenroe Open Farm Kilcoole, Co Wicklow (01-2872288) Get close to farm animals and pets. Has picnic tables and a coffee shop. Opening hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m Monday to Friday, 10 a.m-6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays (adults £3, children £2.50)
