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Family dynamics

16th Mar 2018

Here’s five family fun activities taking place this year at St Patrick’s Festival

Denise Curtin

The weekend of the annual St Patrick’s Festival is almost upon us again.

Taking place from the 15 – 19 of March in Dublin, this year’s theme is “Home” and what better place to celebrate the festival than right here in the heart of the capital.

Spanning over five days, the festival will include a vast variety of family friendly activities for both the kiddies and the grown-ups to enjoy.

From street performances and food stalls to workshops and  carnival rides, we have created a list of the top attractions for you and the little ones to enjoy over the course of these five days.

So sit back, relax and enjoy the festival, oh and don’t forget to don’ a bit of green!

Gaelspraoi – Friday March 16/ Sunday March 18 – 12pm

Gaelspraoi, the festival’s Irish language programme is a series of fun and engaging events for all ages to enjoy. Dust off your dancing shoes and try out your aon dó trí’s at the Céilí, marvel at the extraordinary feats in the Cirque de Gael tent and pick up some new circus skills at the Festival Big Day Out.

City at Play: Funfairs – Saturday March 17 – 11am

A firm festival favourite, the funfairs will light up the city with colourful carnival fairgrounds.  Whether you are young or young at heart, this is one not to miss!

St. Patrick’s Festival Parade – Saturday March 17 – 12pm

The main event! Ireland’s leading street theatre and pageant companies will take to the street for the biggest parade in Ireland. Be astonished by the festival parade as it swirls by in all its glory and cheer along with the hundreds of thousands of people who make the atmosphere something special to remember. Also take in many of the vendors and delicious food stalls which surround the parade on the day! A fantastic day for the whole family.

Festival Big Day Out – Sunday March 18 – 12pm – 6pm

See Merrion Square be transformed into a park of activity for this day long free event. The park will be bursting with street theatre, music, aerial performances, workshops, Irish Language activities and of course a festival Céilí. The little ones will LOVE this!

Me & the City – Visual Art Workshops – Monday March 19 – 11:30am/2pm

Two art classes will be taking place for children in The Ark, Eustace Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2. Hosted by artist Jole Bortoli in these classes, children can discover the colours and textures of the city and how architects and artists create the iconic buildings, sculptures and street art within it. At the beginning of each workshop, Children will explore the creation and planning of cities through displays including architectural drawings, sketchbooks, photographs and 3D models, they will then create an original avant-garde structure using a wide variety of materials and textures.

Classes: Spectacular Street Art (Ages 5-7)
Spies, Towers & Imaginative Structures (Ages 8-12)

Tickets:€11.50/€8.50 per child via ark.ie

You can check out all the event listings here.