Go kids

Sculpture in Context:Botanic Gardens

The Sculpture in Context Exhibition and the National Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin, Dublin, is a hardy annual and for good reason, it’s a brilliant day out. It’s one art exhibition that won’t have the kids groaning when you announce a trip to see some art. There’s all that freedom to run around and make noise and it’s the ultimate buggy-friendly venue.

Dotted around the gardens, some in open view, some in flower beds, some concealed behind shrubs and trees are more than 120 works by some of our most interesting artists including Maureen Bushe, Darragh Casey, Róisín de Buitléar, Seamus Dunbar, Mel French, Etain Hickey, Leo Higgins and Petr Holecek.

The shapes, colours and materials the artists use reveal just how varied and fun sculpture can be. It’s not just outdoors – there are pieces in the Great Palm House and the Curvilinear Range and the smaller works are exhibited in the gallery above the visitors’ centre. The exhibition continues until October 15th.

Make sure to drop into the walled vegetable garden which is looking fantastic with miniature apple trees in fruit (don’t touch!) and great big yellow squashes.

A welcome addition is the smart looking Courtyard coffee shop which, as well as having outdoor seating, has delicious cakes and is all-in-all a much nicer space than the main restaurant.

botanicgardens.ie