Music festivals, summer camps, drama schools and sports: there's lots happening for primary school children countrywide this June, July and August, writes SYLVIA THOMPSON
“I’ve done art, cooking and Gaelic camps before but this is more exciting,” says Isabel (11) of the Irish National Sailing School summer camp in Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin. “The best part is capsizing,” says Molly (11) and Isabel (10) to nods from the other girls
“The camp stretches him to his limits yet the coaches really look after him. He has overcome his fear of heights at this camp and learning to balance in itself has been good for him. I can only book him into camps that are well run with professionally trained coaches, like this one,” said the mum of a boy with autistic spectrum disorder of the Supersonic Trampoline summer camp at UCD. See supersonictc.wordpress.com
“The cinneri (helpers) are really nice. They help you speak Irish and it comes out naturally when you are here,” says Caroline (13). “The sports are fun. We do crab football, Gaelic, basketball and rounders. After a while, you are thinking in Irish,” says Cliodhna (13) about the
Colaiste Naomh Eoin Irish language summer course in the Dominican College, Drumcondra, Dublin.
“I couldn’t boil an egg before I came to this camp but over the last few days I’ve learnt so much about fast and easy things to cook. I liked making chicken curry and omelette,” says James, at the healthy fast food cookery camp at Our Lady’s Bower secondary school in Athlone, Co Westmeath
FESTIVALS
The Street Performance World Championships
June 16-19
Sword swallowers, jugglers, acrobats, contortionists and magicians will compete for the title of Street Performance World Champion. New this year is the attempt to breaks the Where’s Wally world record of the largest group of Wallys with the first real-life Where’s Wally picture to be taken from a crane.
Merrion Square, Dublin (earlier rounds in Portlaoise and Cork already over), spwc.ie
Eigse Carlow Arts Festival
June 10-19
A water park and water sports along the banks of the River Barrow at Carlow Town Park kicks off this festival. Dance Theatre Ireland’s Block Party performances and free family workshops take place throughout the festival.
Carlow town 059-9172400, eigsecarlow.ie
Cork Midsummer Festival
June 11-26
The international Cirque Mandingue presents its new show Foté Foré at the Cork Opera House. Other family shows include Clann Lir from Branar Theatre Company and Old Father Story from Tangled Theatre Company. On Saturday, June 18th at 10pm the Galway-based street performers, Macnas bring Rumpus – part performance, part procession and part installation to the streets of Cork.
Cork city 021 4215131, corkmidsummer.com
Clonmel Junction Festival
July 1-10
Children’s theatre shows include Sticks, Stones Broken Bones, a shadow puppet show from Canadian company, Mr Bunk, Stone Soup from Puca Puppets and the world premiere of Barabbas Theatre Company’s City of Clowns. Also family fun day on July 9th.
Clonmel, 052-6129339, junctionfestival.com
West Cork Literary Festival
July 3-9
Highlights of the impressive children’s programme include a reading by Michael Morpurgo on Thursday, July 7th, Write-a-Rama workshops with writer Sarah Webb and Young Writers’ Workshop with author Cathy Cassidy.
Bantry, 027-55987, westcorkliteraryfestival.ie
Earagail Arts Festival
July 9-24
A carnival parade in Letterkenny led by the Jaipur Mayaraja Brass Band and the Inishowen Carnival Group promises an exotic blend of stilt walking giraffes, live music and illuminated props. Also, a global village fete with vintage games, street dancers and a series of workshops and performances. And, Star Boy, a show from An Grianan Theatre about a small boy who loves to explore.
Co Donegal, 074-9120777, eaf.ie
Spraoi
July 29-31
A diverse street theatre and world music festival whose highlight is the Spraoi parade on July 31st at 4.30pm.
Waterford city, 051-841808, spraoi.com
Kilkenny Arts Festival
August 5-14
Explore the streets, public gardens and river walk in Kilkenny on a treasure-hunt-style festival trail. Also, children’s author Eoin Colfer takes an unsentimental look at childhood in a new show, Holy Mary. Author and backward speller, David Donohue, will talk about his backwards-spelling hero, Walter Speazlebud.
Kilkenny city, 056-7752175, kilkennyarts.ie
Made in Temple Bar
July 15-24
Ten days of celebration marking 20 years of regeneration of Temple Bar includes circus performances, acrobatics, children’s films and family fun.
01-6772255, templebar.ie
Farmleigh Run, Relay and Family Fitness Festival
July 30-31
New this year, this festival offers traditional children’s sports and agility challenges alongside relay races, orienteering and the family mile challenge. An excellent addition to the summer schedule.
Farmleigh, Phoenix Park, 01-8155900, farmleigh.ie
SUMMER CAMPS ART AND DESIGN
National Gallery art workshops
July
Perfect for those who just want a short activity in the city centre. The Little Masters club is for four- to six-year-olds (Tues-Thurs, 11am-noon from July 5th-28th, weekly tickets €28) and the Discovery Club is for seven-12 year olds (Mon-Fri, 2.30pm-4pm, July 4th-15th, weekly tickets €55).
National Gallery, Merrion Street, Dublin 01-6633518, ngi.ie
Dublin City Gallery art workshops
July/August
Short workshops for various age groups from three upwards held over three or four days. Themes include Colour, Art and Science and Animal Magic (six-10 year olds, July 12th-15th and August 9th-12th, €60 a week), an exploration of print-making and photography (aged 11 upwards, July 12th-15th, €60) and workshops for three to six year olds and their parents, June 18th and July 16th, €5.
Dublin City Gallery, Hugh Lane, Parnell Square North, Dublin 1 01-8741903, hughlane.ie
Chester Beatty Library summer club
July
Six to 11 year olds will explore and respond to The Art Books of Henri Matisse exhibition at this summer club.
Chester Beatty Library, Dublin Castle, July 18-22, 11.30am-12.30pm, free but advanced booking essential 01-4070750, cbl.ie
Artist in residency at Imaginosity
July
Children aged six to eight can join Niamh Synnott in the creation of a large sculpture of a mysterious flying creature from 2pm to 5pm on Thursdays and Fridays from June 30th to July 24th. Children of all ages and their families can participate in the workshops on Saturdays and Sundays. Workshops free with admission (€8.50).
Imaginosity, the Plaza, Beacon South Quarter, Sandyford, Dublin. 01-2176130, imaginosity.ie
Wexford Arts Centre art and design camps
July
A great choice here including workshops in which children help to make a large painting and accompanying animation (July 12th-15th €60), jewellery making (July 26th-29th €60), fabric art (July 26th-29th) and clothes design (August 16th-19th).
Wexford Arts Centre, Cornmarket, 053 9123764, wexfordartscentre.ie
Eco-fashion design camps in Tipperary
July 16
Work with designers, DJs and environmentalists to explore our relationship with the earth while creating costumes from rubbish. All shown on the last day at the Trashcatchers Ball.
The Source Arts Centre, Thurles, 0504-90204, thesourceartscentre.ie
Whizz Kids Discover IT
June/July
Aimed at eight to 17-year-olds, these camps mix web design, movie-making, sports and a spy academy. Half day, full day and residential camps are held in University College Dublin, Dublin City University, University College Cork, University of Limerick and National University of Ireland at Galway, and cost €80/€159.
061-339178, whizzkids.ie
Eco-Explorers camps
July/August
Children aged four-12 can explore nature in the heart of the city through outdoor activities, games and hands-on activities at these camps run by Eco-Unesco. Week-long camps run from July 4th- August 12th. Cost €100 a week. Greenhouse, St Andrews St, Dublin 2, ecounesco.ie, 01-6625491.
MUSIC, DANCE
Family Concerts and Music workshops at the Ark
July 20-August 21
The Play summer music festival – with music workshops for two-12 year olds and performances from talented musicians of different styles and disciplines – marks the start of a new focus on music at the Ark.
The family concerts begin with two choral groups, Open Arts Community Choir and Messengers with performer Julie Feeney on Saturday, July 23rd and run every Saturday and Sunday until August 21st. Workshops in percussion, brass, traditional singing and more start on Wednesday, July 20th and continue on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays until August 19th.
The Ark, Eustace Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 01-6707788, ark.ie
National Concert Hall summer music camp
July 11-15
A chance to discover a variety of musical instruments, styles and rhythms and compose a group piece for the Friday concert. No previous musical experience necessary (10am-2.30pm, €150).
National Concert Hall, Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 01-4170000, nch.ie
Songschool summer camps
Learn about writing, performing, recording and making a music video with a CD of your work to take home at the end of camp. Camps for eight-12 year olds and teenagers.
Venues include the National Concert Hall, Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin (June 20-24, July 18-22, July 25-29 01-4170000) the Rua Red Arts Centre, Tallaght (July 11-15, 01-4528533), the Riverbank Arts Centre, Newbridge, Co Kildare (July 11-15, 045-448330, The Courthouse Arts Centre, Tinahely, Co. Wicklow (July 18-22 0402-38529), songschool.ie
Panto and musical summer camps at The Helix
You’ll get the chance to sing, dance and act at this camp from TheatreworX, the production team for Aladdin, the Christmas pantomime at The Helix. Some lucky students might even get into the cast for Aladdin (July 18th-22nd or August 15th-19th, €120).Similarly the dance, singing, drama and craft workshops in preparation for The Wizard of Oz will see some in the show (sign up for one or four weeks, July 18th-August 5th, €95).
The Helix, DCU, Glasnevin, Dublin, 01-7007000, thehelix.ie
Glee summer camp
July 4-8, 10am-3.30pm, €80
Starlight Productions runs this singing, dancing and acting camp that is based on the musical series, Glee.
Wexford Arts Centre, Cornmarket, 053 9123764, wexfordartscentre.ie
Ballet Ireland summer workshops
July/August
Children aged six and up will explore all of the elements that go into creating a ballet of Treasure Island in these week-long workshops with professional ballet dancers.
This year’s venues are Glor Irish Music Centre, Ennis, Co Clare (July 11-15, 065-6843103), The Civic Theatre, Tallaght, Dublin (July 18-22, 01-4627477), Burnavon Arts Centre, Cookstown, Co Tyrone (August 1-5, 048-86769949), Moat Theatre, Naas, Co Kildare (August 8-12, 045-883030), An Grianan, Letterkenny, Co Donegal (August 15-19, 07491-20777), Pavilion Theatre, Dún Laoghaire (August 22-26, 01-2312929), Ballet Ireland, 046-9557585
DRAMA/FILM MAKING
Gaiety School of Acting
July/August
Lots of choice here from experienced teachers. Seven to 18-year-olds can do week-long drama camps in Dublin (July 11th-August 19th €180 a week) or Cork (July 11th-22nd, €120 a week). There’s a musical theatre camp in Dublin for seven to 16 year olds (July 11th -15th and August 8th-12th, €150 a week) and film-making courses in Dublin (from July 4th-8th and August 15th-19th) and Cork (July 25th-29th, €200).
Dublin courses at the Gaiety School of Acting, Sycamore Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2, 01-6799277 or 1890 258358, gaietyschool.com. The Cork venue is the South Parish Community Centre, Cork city.
Wexford Arts Centre Drama and Movie-Making Camps
July/August
Red Moon Theatre Group encourages and supports communication skills in this camp which culminates with a show (for five-seven year olds, eight-12 year olds and 13-17 year olds), July 18th-21st €45-€75. Red Moon Theatre Group also runs a film-making camp in which all participants become part of cast/crew of their own movie (five-seven and eight-13 year olds), August 15th-18th, €75.
Wexford Arts Centre, Cornmarket, 053 9123764, wexfordartscentre.ie
Film and Theatre Camps in Longford
Summer camps include theatre camp for seven-12 year olds, July 11th-15th and July 18th-22nd, €60 and film camp for 13-16 year olds, August 8th-12th, €95.
Backstage Theatre, Longford, 043-3347888, backstage.ie
SPORTS
FAI Summer Soccer schools
July/ August
The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) Summer Soccer camps cater for boys and girls from six to 14 and include girls-only camps. Coaching by FAI accredited and Garda-vetted coaches. Over 250 camps throughout the country and 30 goalkeeper camps.
fai.ie, 1890 653653
GAA Cúl camps
July/August
These week-long (10am-2.30pm, Monday to Friday), game-based summer camps for six-13 year olds, which take place throughout the 32 counties, focus on learning and practising different skills each day.
vhiculcamps.gaa.ie or contact your local county coordinator
Parks Tennis
July/August
Daily tennis lessons for six-17 year olds at courts in public parks, schools, tennis clubs and community centres throughout the country, €30 a month.
parkstennis.com, 01-8338711. Registration on June 30 from 2pm-4pm
Let’s Go Multi-Activity camps
July/August
With venues throughout the country, these multi-activity camps are very popular for five to 13 year old boys and girls.
021-487711, 1890538746, letsgo.ie
SCIENCE AND NATURE
Anyone4science
July/August
An exploration of biology, chemistry, physics and engineering through clever age-appropriate games. Camps are for five-seven, seven-12 and 13-15 year olds and take place in Cork, Dublin, Kildare, Limerick, Louth, Meath, Monaghan, Tipperary, Wexford and Wicklow.
0404-4056, anyone4science.com
Learn it Lego
July/August
These camps aim to stimulate creativity, problem-solving and teamwork through games exploring engineering, science, robotics, and mechanics. Suitable for children aged five to 16 in venues in Cork, Dublin, Galway, Kildare, Kilkenny and Meath.
learnit.ie, 01-5240004
Phoenix Park nature camps
July
Eco-Unesco teams up with the Office of Public Works for these nature camps which explore the flora, fauna and heritage of the Phoenix Park.
Tuesdays from 10am-3.30pm are for five to eight-year-olds and Thursdays from 10am-3.30pm are for nine-12 year olds throughout July.
Booking essential on 01-6770095, €20 a day, phoenixpark.ie
Summer camps at Dublin Zoo
July/August
All Dublin Zoo summer camps are already booked out but there’s a readers club on Saturdays, June 11th, July 9th and August 13th from 11am-noon.
Also young zoologist days aged six-12 and 12-16 can explore animal behaviour (August 17th and 18th, 11am-3.30pm and August 19th, 11am-noon).
Advanced booking essential 01-4748932, dublinzoo.ie
OWLS children’s nature club
June/July/ August
Diverse range of nature activities include learning how to manage an allotment (St Anne’s Park, Raheny, Dublin June 2nd, 16th and 30th, July 14th and 28th, 2.30pm-5pm), foraging from the wild (Bushy Park, Terenure, Dublin, June 7th, 3pm-4.30pm), beach sculptures (Killiney Beach, Dublin July 3rd 11am-1pm) and regular nature trips to the Ashtown Nature Reserve in Co Dublin.
Also, summer discovery camps in Turvey Park, Donabate, Co Dublin in August for four to 14 year olds.
owls.ie, 087-3299936.
Summer Camps at Imaginosity
Four to five year olds will explore dinosaurs (July 4th-8th), fairies (July 11th-15th), bugs and beasties (July 18th-22nd) while six to eight year olds learn about engineering (July 25th-29th) and science (August 1st-5th), €99 a week, 9.30am-1pm daily.
imaginosity.ie, 01-2176130
Camps at Fota Wildlife Park
July/August
Encouraging children to respect the natural world is the aim of these summer camps for five to 12-year-olds. All the sport, art and craft activities are nature themed and run from July 11th to August 19th. Supervised train service from Kent Station in Cork city available.
fotawildlife.ie, 021-4812678
Summer Camp on an organic farm
Bug hunts, pond dipping, a farm habitat trail as well as organic gardening feature in this hands-on food and nature summer camp for eight to 12-year-olds. It runs from July 11th-14th in a farm near Tralee, Co Kerry. gortbrackorganicfarm.com, 066-7137042
“It’s a really good camp. This week we learned about plastics and later, we’ll make a machine that can lift grown-ups,” says Filippo (11), about the Anyone4Science summer camp at Airfield Trust, Dundrum, Dublin
