Holiday Courses 2004: It could be a long, hot summer if you don't start planning now to keep your school-age children amused and occupied. Here is a round-up of some of the courses on offer.
Art and Photography Workshops
National Gallery of Ireland, Merrion Street, Dublin 2 - June/July
The Children's Summer Club includes Little Masters workshops for ages three to six and Kids Art Attack for ages seven to 12 (week-long courses). Week-long course for ages 13 to 16 exploring the links between music, poetry, drama, design, cinema and visual art (June). (01) 663 3505
The Ark, Eustace Street, Temple Bar, Dublin, August
The Ark has two week-long artists' and inventors' workshops for ages eight to 14. Programme to be decided. (01) 670 7788
Pine Forest Art Centre, Glencullen, Kilternan, Dublin 18 - June/July/August
Two-week courses for ages five to 12 and 13 to 16 (€205/€230). Also two-week or four-week portfolio preparation courses for ages 16 to 19 in August (€255/€465). Private bus service from most southside suburbs. info@pineforestartscentre.com (01) 294 1220
The Hugh Lane Gallery, Dublin, June/July
Three-day practical art and sketching workshops for seven- to 10-year-olds 10 a.m. - noon, June/July (€25). For those aged three to six, there are artist-led workshops from 11 a.m. - noon on Friday July 2nd, 9th and 16th (€3.50). For those aged 11 to 14, there is a chance to take a closer look at some of the paintings, sculpture and architectural features of the gallery through sketching workshops and a behind-the-scenes look at conservation at the gallery. A two-day course takes place on Wednesday, July 7th and Thursday, July 8th, 2.30 p.m. - 4 p.m. (€10). A two week artist-led drawing course for 13- to 17-year-olds takes place in the Gallery from Tuesday, July 13th to Friday July 23rd, 2.30 p.m. to 4 p.m. (excluding Sat/Sun/Mon). Drawing boards, easels and materials are provided (€50).
www.hughlane.ie (01) 874 1903.
Draíocht Arts Centre, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15, June/July/August
Multi-disciplinary workshop programme for children aged five to 17 including dance, theatre, music, visual arts and photography. (01) 885 2622
Botanic Art School, Prospect Avenue, Glasnevin, Dublin 9, July/August
Five-day summer art camps for ages seven to 12 includes clay, printing, papier mache, drawing and painting a field trip to the nearby Botanic Gardens. The course concludes with an exhibition of their work. (€130). (01) 830 4720
Music and Dance
National Concert Hall, Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2, August
Children's Summer Series features family music-making and storytelling workshops for children and their parents during selected weekends in August (€7 each or €24 for a family ticket); instrument-making workshops for ages nine to 15 and mask-making workshops for ages six to eight (€7-€10 per workshop). The NCH will also run creative dance workshops for children aged six to 12. (01) 417 0000
Walton's New School of Music, 69 South Great George's Street, Dublin 2, July/August
Music for Me - Five two-hour sessions of fun and music-making for ages five to seven, seven to nine and nine to 11 (€100). (01) 478 1884
Ballet Ireland
A week of workshops geared towards a performance in a professional theatre environment, open both to families and the general public. This year's theme is "The Arabian Nights". Dance, mime, music and drama. There is a special workshop exploring theatre lighting for the older students included. Running through July and August at various centres: The Mermaid Arts Centre, Bray (01) 8724030; The Civic Theatre, Tallaght (01) 462 7477; An Grianán, Letterkenny; Burnavon Arts Centre, Cookstown; Glór Irish Music Centre, Ennis (065) 684 3103; Moat Theatre, Naas (045) 883030; Tipperary Excel, Tipperary (062) 80520.
National Performing Arts School
Summer programmes in dance, drama and music. All courses include classes in drama, singing, musical theatre, jazz dance, street dance, funk, hip-hop, improvisation, role play, karaoke, stage combat, tap, television workshop and film production workshop. First course starts June 21st. Each course runs 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Monday to Friday and costs €150 per student. Mini Summer School for four- to six-year-olds, Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. - 12.30 p.m. (€82). The streetdance and funk workshop for those aged 12 to 20 runs Monday to Friday, 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. (€82). All summer school courses take place at NPAS, The Factory, 35A Barrow Street, Dublin 4. (01) 668 4035
Limerick's CentreStage Summer Programme at UCH & LIT Millennium Theatre
"Working with Grease" at University Concert Hall. Monday, June 28th to Friday, July 9th (boys and girls aged 11 to 17). One- week programme for seven to 10 year olds: Monday, July 5th to Friday, July 9th. Activities include acting, singing, dancing, improvisation, characterisation, movement and performance technique. The camp will culminate in a joint performance of "Working with Grease" from both groups in University Concert Hall on Friday, July 9th at 8 p.m. (€250/€150 - discounts for more than one child). University Concert Hall (UCH), Limerick, (061) 331549 or (065) 7087566; email: summermusic.shannon@uch.ie; web site: summermusicontheshannon.com (065) 708 75666
Limerick Summer Music on the Shannon (SMS)
The 11th annual Summer Music on the Shannon Music School takes place at UCH, University of Limerick in July. Facilities include a 1,000-seat concert hall, fully-equipped teaching and rehearsal studios, and student housing, dining and recreation areas, including an Olympic-size swimming pool. One- and two-week programmes available beginning July 12th. Junior instrumental programme (€110-€200), intermediate instrumental programme (€350), senior instrumental programme (€350) www.summermusicontheshannon.com
(065) 708 7566
SMS Youth Opera Theatre 2004
The third annual Summer Music on the Shannon (SMS) Youth Opera Theatre Programme in association with Opera Ireland takes place at UCH, University of Limerick, in July. The programme commences on July 12th for three weeks and is open to students aged eight to 18. No previous singing or acting experience and no audition is required. (€350 for three weeks). University Concert Hall (UCH), Limerick, (061) 331549 or (065) 7087566; email: summermusic.shannon@uch.ie; web site: summermusicontheshannon.com (061) 302220
Film and Theatre
Gaiety School of Acting, Meeting House Square, Temple Bar, Dublin 2, July/August
The extensive programme includes one- and two-week drama courses and week-long make-a-movie and make-a-play courses for eight- to 19-year-olds. There are also drama and film courses for ages 16 and over.
Venues this year are the school's Temple Bar headquarters, Dublin; Sutton Park School, St Fintan's Road, Dublin 13; The Mermaid Arts Centre, Bray, Co Wicklow; Cork Opera House and Forkin Crane, Cork city; and Kenmare, Co Kerry and Killarney Co Kerry. (Cork ;€170-€175; Dublin €235-€240; Kerry; €150). (01) 679 9277
Betty Ann Norton Theatre School, Harcourt Street, Dublin 2, July/August
Children and teenagers can learn how to act, write scripts and work with cameras. Programmes include the Chatterbox Club for ages six to 12, June 28th for one week, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. (€150). All The World's A Stage for ages 13 to 16, June 28th, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. (€150). From Script to Screen for ages 13 to 16, July 5th, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. (€185). (01) 475 1913
Cookery
Food Active Summer Camp, June/July/August
Week/fortnight cooking and nutrition course with sports in the afternoon. Run by well-known chef and caterer Garth McColgan. Runs weekly from June 21st until August 6th at St Conleth's College in Ballsbridge, Dublin, 9.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m (€220 week/€395 fortnight). All cooking materials included. Mornings comprise cookery classes, nutrition, food label reading, shopping guide, excursions to places of culinary interest and wild food foraging. Afternoons of soccer, basketball and tag rugby. 1890-FOODIE, 086 8066111,
Busy Bee Summer School of Cooking, Ballinclea Heights, Killiney, Co Dublin, June/July/August
Weekly from June 8th to August.Kids aged 11 to 16 can learn culinary secrets at this well-established cookery school run by Bee Mannix-Walsh (€195 a week, equipment and basic ingredients provided). Free collection and return service to and from Dalkey DART station. (01) 285 8674, email; busybeeschool@eircom.net
Sport
Summer Soccer - countrywide, June/July/August
The soccer stars of the future are trained by qualified FAI coaches in venues throughout the State. Week-long soccer schools open to boys and girls aged eight to 16. Also special programme for goalkeepers and girls-only weekends. (1890-653653)
Soccer and rugby courses
Intensive soccer and rugby coaching for ages five to 14 at RFC, Stradbrook Road, Blackrock, Co Dublin; St Mary's RFC, Templeville Road, Templeogue, Dublin 6; and Wanderers FC, Merrion Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4. Contact: David Deering, 45 Deerpark Road, Mount Merrion, Co Dublin (01) 288 2111
Parks Tennis, July
Tennis lessons at courts in public parks, schools and community centres in 24 counties in the Republic and Northern Ireland. Use of rackets, balls and courts is free, but there is a registration fee that varies according to location.
Contact: Kay Lonegan, 142 Vernon Avenue, Clontarf, Dublin 3. (01) 833 8711
Mick Smyth Tennis Camp, July/August
This well-established tennis camp based at Terenure College, Dublin, is for beginners, intermediate and advanced players aged six to 16. Contact: 4 Mountown Park, Terenure, Dublin 12. Terenure College (01) 490 7621
Basketball Camps at the National Basketball Arena, July/August
Week long senior and junior camps. www.nationalbasketballarena.ie (01) 459 0211.
Multi-activity Sports Camp/Tennis Camps, Westwood Club, Leopardstown Racecourse, Foxrock, Dublin 18 and Clontarf, Dublin 3, July/August
The week-long multi-activity camps include basketball, swimming, soccer and hip-hop dance for ages four to 13. Foxrock: (01) 289 3208. Westwood: (01) 805 7813
Sailing
Young sailors and windsurfers can take lessons at one of the many sailing centres throughout the Republic. List of certified courses from the Irish Sailing Association (01) 280 0239 www.sailing.ie. Glenans Irish Sailing Club also runs courses for ages 14 to 17 in July at its centres in Co Mayo and Co Cork. (01) 661 1481
Horse-riding
For young people keen to learn or improve their equestrian skills. Details of trekking, trail-riding centres and riding schools are available from the Association of Irish Riding Establishments. (045) 431584, www.aire.ie
Multi-Sports Camp, Airfield Trust, Upper Kilmacud Road, Dundrum, Dublin 14, July
Volleyball, soccer, orienteering, treasure hunts, assault courses and some arts and crafts are included in this adventure camp for five- to 12-year-olds. (01) 298 4301
Playstation Leinster GAA Summer camps, July/August
Over 24,000 eight- to 13-year-olds will participate in the programme of weekly summer camps in July and August. Activities include fun events, skills coaching, games and competitions. Star GAA players visit every year. (€30 to €45, including summer camp jersey, knicks, sports socks, kit bag and posters.) Variety of venues in each county. Camps mainly cater for hurling/camogie or gaelic and ladies' football. There are also combined camps.
For further information contact local county games promotion officer; call Leinster GAA at 0502 82000, or log on to www.leinstergaa.ie. For Munster, Ulster and Connacht camps contact the local games promotion officer in each county.
Delphi Adventure Holidays
Kids on their own or families can go on week-long adventure holidays in the famous Delphi Centre in Leenane, Co Galway. Activities include windsurfing, surfing and sailing. www.delphiadventureholidays.ie
(01) 490 7522
Languages
EIL Ireland
Students studying for the Leaving can spend the summer living abroad and learning a language - France, Germany, Spain or even China, Russia or Japan. Live with a local family or in a residence. All schools certified. Leaving Certificate preparation courses in France. Call EIL at 1890 29 29 39, email: info@eilireland.org or log onto http://www.eilireland.org (021) 455 1535
Coláiste Uisce
Situated in Cuain Eil, Belmullet, Co Mayo, Coláiste Uisce mixes adventure sports with Gaeilge in the north Mayo Gaeltacht. Windsurfing, sailing, canoeing as Gaeilge. Courses begin on Friday, June 4th and run for two weeks. (097) 82111 eolas@uisce.com or www.uisce.com
compiled by Louise Holden
