Public invited to visit Houses of the Oireachtas

POLITICIANS ARE to step aside and allow a host of jugglers, stilt walkers and magicians take control of Leinster House later this month as the Houses of the Oireachtas open their doors to the public for two days of activities.

Visitors are to be given an opportunity to tour the Dáil and Seanad chambers, walk the historic corridors of Leinster House and enjoy picnics on Leinster lawn during the Houses of the Oireachtas Family Fun Days, which take place on June 27th and 28th.

Brass and jazz bands, percussionists, bluegrass groups and traditional acts will provide music for those in attendance, while students of the Gaiety School of Acting are to recreate a number of the famous political debates from the Houses’ 90-year history.

They include the passionate exchanges between Éamon de Valera and Michael Collins over the Anglo-Irish Treaty and the row over Ernest Blythe’s shilling cut to the pension in 1924.

A photo-journalism exhibition titled Commemorating 90 years of Dáil Éireann will also be on show, while street performers and face painters will be in attendance to keep the younger guests of the Houses entertained.

Some 8,000 people are expected to attend the events designed to make the Oireachtas more accessible and relevant to the general public.

The initiative was launched last year and has been extended to two days following a strong response from members of the public seeking to visit the Houses.

Ceann Comhairle John O’Donoghue said he hoped the events would provide families with an “enjoyable and informative experience” of the workings of their national parliament.

“Last summer, we saw an unprecedented public demand to attend family day,” he said.

“This level of interest makes a clear statement that people do wish to connect with their parliament and their politicians and the political process – which is at the heart of democracy.”

Seanad Cathaoirleach Senator Pat Moylan said he hoped the event would help people find out more about their parliament while enjoying the history of Leinster House.

“I believe the event can inspire people to increase their engagement with politics as well as being a fun day out for families,” he said.

An Oireachtas spokeswoman said people wishing to attend should book their tickets in advance as she expected interest to be high. Tickets can be reserved online at www.oireachtasevents.ie or by calling 1890-252 808.