Draíocht Arts Centre, Blanchardstown, Dublin Jun 8-14 www.draiocht.ie

Now in its sixth year, Spréacha (Sparkles in Irish) International Arts Festival for Children is firmly established as one of the best children’s theatre festivals in Ireland. As Fingal has one of the largest youth populations of any county in Ireland, it deserves praise for supporting this festival which brings international theatre to local children at affordable prices (all tickets are €5).

This year's shows are built around enduring themes such as friendship – Boxy George, the non-verbal show from Danish Theater Refleksion; love – Shopping for Shoesfrom Scottish company, Visible Fictions; and, well, dressing up – Visto lo Vistofrom Spanish dance company, Aracaladanza.

Danish storyteller, Mette Rosleff will also introduce some special characters to younger audiences in her dramatic readings entitled, Songs from Above. There are also workshops in Fingal Co Council schools and the seven-day festival ends with two free family days in Draíocht on Saturday and Sunday, June 13th and 14th.