In the final part of our guide to what children can do during the holidays, Sylvia Thompson rounds up some places to visit whatever the weather.
Arts Festivals
Éigse Carlow Arts Festival, Carlow town, until Sunday (0503-40491) Children's events to come at the festival, which is in full swing, include Piparella, a theatre show with an environmental message, today and tomorrow at 1.30pm. Street shows with Pipa the Clown in central Carlow from 3pm to 5pm today and tomorrow, painting workshops on Saturday at 11 am and a children's disco on Sunday from 5 pm. Also, school tours of the arts exhibitions at St Patrick's College until Friday.
Woodford Bourne Cork Midsummer Festival, Cork city, today-June 28 (021-4550946) Highlights for young people include The Tale Of The Cabbage- Head King, an exploration of bullying, its causes and how to stop it, from Dowtcha Puppets, at Cork Public Museum from today until June 28 (11am and 2.30pm) and the popular (and free) Picnics in the Park on Saturday, in Douglas Community Park, and Sunday, in Fitzgerald Park. Another must-see is The Difference Engine from Humungus Theatre Company, a street spectacle featuring giant puppets and an enormous printing machine, at 8pm from June 25 to 28, Guy's Building, Coal Quay, Cork.
Eurochild International Festival, Cork city, June 27-29 (021-4509274) Children and parents following the creative-thinking approach known as mind-mapping will gather at Tigh Fili Arts Centre, MacCurtain Street, for a weekend of art and poetry workshops. Also, winning entries in the Texaco children's art contest will be on show.
Earagail Arts Festival, Co Donegal, July 7-20 (074-9129186) One of the country's best arts festivals happens in the towns and villages of north Donegal. Events for children include the Billy Holiday Show from Dog & String Puppet Theatre, Painting The Princess from Spring Onion Puppet Theatre and Luichín Na Cathrach Agus Luichín Na Tuaithe (The City Mouse And The Country Mouse) from Púca Puppets. Also unmissable for all the family is Saigon Water Puppet Theatre, an enchanting spectacle in which the Vietnamese puppets perform in and on water (Donegal Airport, July 12 and 13, three shows a day) and, for older children and their accompanied adults, Circus Ronaldo, a circus in which clown, magician, acrobat and juggler reign supreme (Letterkenny town park, July 9-13)
Galway Arts Festival, Galway city, July 15-27 (www.galwayartsfestival.ie) Only three shows specifically for children this year: Peacemaker, a new piece about friendship from M6 Theatre Company (July 19 and 20); Puppets In The Wild, a hilarious story about a film-maker sent to make a documentary about puppets living in the wild, from Lempen Puppet Theatre (July 26 and 27), and a chance to prove yourself at a Harry Potter quiz with question mistress Pauline McLynn (July 20).
Boyle Arts Festival, Boyle, Co Roscommon, July 25-August 1 (079-63085) Workshops in African drumming and singing, creative writing, drama and art form the core activities for children at this popular festival. Also, Púca Puppets present their show The City Mouse And The Country Mouse, and Frances Quinn tells stories for children.
Kilkenny Arts Festival, Kilkenny city, August 8-17 (056-7752175) There is a strong international flavour to the children's theatre shows this year, with Theatre Agora, from Belgium, performing The Man Who Planted Trees, the French company Théâtre à Cru with a show for ages under six called Hands In Flour and a show from the company of Spanish painter and performer Joan Baixa. Also, storytellers from around the world will tell tall tales in the county's libraries.
Dún Laoghaire Festival of World Cultures, August 22-24 (fwc@dlrcoco.ie) An arts festival that celebrates cultural diversity, with many free events. This year's programme includes African music workshops, henna hand painting, dance workshops from Dance Theatre of Ireland and puppet shows at the Lambert Puppet Theatre, in Monkstown. Also, don't miss the free performances, workshops and storytelling in the People's Park on August 23 and 24, 1pm-6pm, and a children's multicultural book fair at Dún Laoghaire town hall.
Free Days Out
Family Days in the Parks Well-kept parks with good playgrounds are perfect places to visit, whether on holidays or on days out close to home. In the Dublin area, the various councils host free family days during the summer. Jugglers, face-painters and other wandering performers populate the park, providing free entertainment for all ages. In some venues, the children can enjoy free rides on Thomas the Tank engine trains.
Here's a sample of what's to come: A family day goes ahead in Corkagh Park, Clondalkin, on July 6. Marlay Park in Rathfarnham will be the setting for a bumper family day on June 29. Those living in the Fingal County Council area should check local papers for details of family days in Malahide Castle; Ardgillan Demense, in Balbriggan; and Newbridge House, in Donabate. Dublin City Council family days in the parks will also be highlighted locally.
The National Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin, Dublin is hosting a gala family day this Sunday, with nature trails, guided walks, storytelling and music and art workshops. Events run from 11 am to 6pm.
Trips to the Forest Back by popular demand this year is The Tree Trails Of Ireland, a free guide to some of the island's lesser-known forest and woodland parks. With its county-by-county sections, the booklet is an excellent resource for families keen to explore our woodland heritage. Get your free copy by sending a self-addressed A5 envelope with a 47c stamp to the Tree Council of Ireland, Cabinteely House, The Park, Cabinteely, Dublin 18.
Family Fun in Temple Bar, Dublin First up this year is a festival of traditional Irish music, with free lunchtime and evening performances from Altan, Slide, Kíla and others in Meeting House Square, Temple Bar, from June 22 to 27. Many of the musicians will also lead children's workshops in the Ark Children's Cultural Centre, on nearby Eustace Street. The official family programme begins on Sunday, July 20 at 2pm with a performance of contemporary circus fused with flamenco from Compania Al Badulake/Malaje. The African drumming troupe De Jimbe and the Armagh Rhymers folk theatre group are among the other acts on Sundays until August 24. See also www.templebar.ie.
Museum Days The National Museum of Ireland's branches at Collins Barracks and Kildare Street, in Dublin, the Natural History Museum, on Merrion Street in Dublin, and the Museum of Country Life, in Turlough Park, Castlebar, Co Mayo, are all fascinating places for children to visit.
Collins Barracks has an extensive programme of art workshops, storytelling and puppetry throughout the summer months. Free open-air performances will take place in Clarke Square at weekends during July and August. Free brochures from 01-6777444.
The National Museum on Kildare Street is the venue for free summer treasure art workshops for ages seven to 14 on July 5, 10.30am-12.30pm or 2pm-4pm. Bookings on 01-6777444. Its Museum of Country Life is hosting art and craft workshops for ages eight and over from July 15 to 18, between 10.30am and 12.30pm each day. There are also craft demonstrations and talks on Sundays and Wednesdays at 2.30pm throughout the summer.
Many county museums now run workshops and talks for children throughout the summer. Check out your county museum: you'll be amazed to find lots of interesting historical facts about your locality.
Places to Visit
Galway's Horse Museum and Park, Dartfield, Kilreekill, Loughrea, Co Galway (091-843968) This recently opened museum is a must for anyone who loves horses. The museum chronicles the history of the relationship between humans and the horse. In the stable area, some of the world's favourite horse breeds can be seen at work and at rest. The complex is sited on a 350-acre working farm that visitors can explore, following a walking tour to see cattle, sheep, deer and ponies. Admission costs €6 for adults, €3.85 for children and €15.50 for families. The complex is open between 9am and 6pm each day.
Belvedere House, Gardens and Park, Mullingar, Co Westmeath (044-49060) Slightly off the beaten track, this early-18th- century country house designed by Richard Castle is beautifully situated on 160 acres of parkland on the shores of Lough Ennell. A visitors' centre with cafe, shop and children's playground was officially opened three years ago. With picnic tables along the shores of the lough, it's a perfect place to spend a warm summer's day. Admission cost €6 for adults, €3.80 for children and €16 for families. It's open between 9.30am and 6pm from Monday to Friday and between 10.30am and 7pm at weekends.
W5, Odyssey Centre, Belfast (048-9046 7700) An essential place to visit for all science and technology fans, W5 was voted the best visitor attraction in Northern Ireland last year. Of special interest this summer is the Star Trek Federation Science exhibition, which runs until September 7th. W5 also runs an excellent programme of summer workshops from July 5 to August 24. It's open between 10am and 6pm from Monday to Saturday and between noon and 6pm on Sunday. Admission costs £5.50 ( for adults and £3.50 ( for children.
Larchill Arcadian Gardens, Kilcock, Co Kildare (01-6287354) A slightly unusual place to visit, but one that should interest all ages. Built in the 18th century as a ferme ornée, or ornamental farm, Larchill has scenic walks, curious classical and gothic follies and rare-breed farm animals. Throughout the summer there are magic, music and Punch and Judy shows on Saturdays, a maze in the maize from late July and an open-air family performance of The Wind In The Willows - as well as a playground. Open Tuesday-Sunday and bank-holiday Mondays from noon to 6pm, June-August. Admission costs €7 for adults, €5 for children and €25 for families.
Heritage sites Families keen to visit a number of sites over the summer should consider a heritage card. Offering 12 months' access to more than 65 sites, it costs €20 for adults, €7.50 for children (under-sixes go free) and €50 for families (2 adults and 4 children). More information from 1850-600601, e-mail heritagecard@duchas.ie. See also www.heritageireland.ie/en/historicsites
Castle Espie, The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, Ballydrain Road, Comber, Co Down (048- 91874146) Situated on the edge of Strangford Lough, this is a nature-lover's paradise. Hour-long nature trails, swamp walks and tours of the sustainable gardens are complemented with children's activities throughout the summer. These include Northern Ireland's biggest animal event, Animal Magic, on June 28 and 29, with birds of prey, hedgehogs, snakes and farmyard animals; behind-the-scenes tours of the duckery daily from July 12 to 27; and Pond Play on August 9 and 10. Admission: adults £4, children £2.50, families (two adults, three children) £10.50, under-fours free. Monday-Saturday, 10.30am-5pm, Sunday 11.30am-5.30pm.
Try these books: For The Kids: A Family- Friendly Guide To Outings And Activities For Children In Ireland (Liffey Press, €15); Dublin For Kids by Jane Suiter and Louise Trehy (O'Brien Press, €12.95); Summer Camps In Ireland 2003 (Grapevine, €4.99); guides to summer activities in Cork (free) and Limerick (€7) published by Barnardos National Children's Resource Centre, available locally and from Barnardos (01-4530355)
Whether at home or on holidays in Ireland, there's plenty to do. Many arts festivals have excellent children's theatre and workshops. Trips to the park or forest can be wonderful days out. Museums have plenty of child-focused activities, and local libraries are also havens on wet days. Finally, get a copy of the heritage sites of Ireland brochure from any tourism office. It includes up to 100 castles, gardens, abbeys and national parks.
Splashing out
Opened with a blast of publicity earlier this year, the National Aquatic Centre in Abbotstown, Co Dublin, is the country's newest and most impressive public sporting facility.
If you were to take the family on only one outing this summer, this is the place to go. But be warned: you won't be alone - queues right out of the door are common at peak times.
Divided into two sections, the National Aquatic Centre has the much-talked about Olympic-standard 50 metre pool (which will host swimming events at the 2003 Special Olympics World Games next week) and a leisure pool that is said to be one of Europe's most technically innovative waterparks.
The leisure pool will appeal most to children, with its daring rides, large wave pool and pirates' ship with fun slides for younger children. The rides range from the Green Giant, a 120-metre gentle float, to the Dark Hole, a fast, twisting 148-metre ride in complete darkness.
For those keen on a gentler water activity, the large wave pool features a wave that starts in the deep end and washes right up to the pool's edges,
which are designed to look like a shoreline.
Emerging from either side of the wave pool is a channel of water called the Lazy River, which has a constant gentle current.
And for those who just want to swim, cross the corridor to the 50-metre swimming pool. It has floating floors, to adjust the depth of the pool to a maximum of 2.4 metres.
A 25-metre diving pool also has a moveable floor, which allows diving from one to 10 metres.
The admission charge gives access to the competition and leisure pools or to the competition pool only for an unlimited length of time. During the 2003 Special Olympics World Games, however, the public will be admitted only to the leisure pool.
Spectators will be able to view competition events throughout the Games at the competition pool from Sunday until June 29 on a first- come, first-served basis. Admission is free to these events. Call 01-8102003 or check www.2003specialolympics.com for a schedule of aquatic events.
Otherwise, the National Aquatic Centre is open every day. The leisure pool is open between 11am and 10pm from Monday to Friday and between 9am and 8pm on Saturdays and Sundays.
The family and members session every Saturday from 9am to 10am is often the quietest time of the week. The competition pool is open between 6am and 11pm from Monday to Friday and between 8am and 8pm on Saturdays and Sundays.
Admission is €7-€11 for adults and €5-€9 for children, depending on how many pools you want to use and when you go.
Phone 01-6464300, e-mail info@nac.ie or visit www.nac.ie.
