In the first of a two-part guide, Sylvia Thompson rounds up some of the activities for young people over the summer holidays.
Art & Photography Workshops
National Gallery of Ireland, Merrion Street, Dublin 2, June/July (01-6633505) The Children's Summer Club includes
Little Masters workshops for ages three to six (€5 a class or €20 a week) and Kids Art Attack for ages seven to 12 (week-long courses €50). Numbers are limited to 20 a group, so these workshops can get booked up quickly. New this year: a week-long course for ages 13-16 exploring the links between music, poetry, drama, design, cinema and visual art (June 23rd-30th, €50).
The Ark, Eustace Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2, August (01-6707788) The Ark has two week-long artists' and inventors' workshops for ages eight to 14. Participants learn how to build the designs of Leonardo da Vinci, from water wheels to giant crossbows (€75/€60 concession).
Pine Forest Art Centre, Glencullen, Kilternan, Dublin 18, June/July/August (01-2941220) See panel. Two-week courses for ages five to 12 and 13 to 16 (€185/€210). Also two-week or four-week portfolio preparation courses for ages 16-19 (€235/€430).
Hugh Lane Gallery, Parnell Square North, Dublin 1, July/August (01-8741903) Week-long art/drama and art/music camps for ages six to 10 (€45) and a two-week drawing course for ages 13-17 (€50) in July are followed by one-off Thursday-morning workshops for various age groups in August (€3.50 a workshop).
Gallery of Photography, Meeting House Square, Temple Bar, Dublin 2, June 30-July 4 (01-6714654) A week-long intensive course for ages 13-17 includes a comprehensive introduction to how a camera works, black-and-white film processing and darkroom print techniques (€180).
Draíocht Arts Centre, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15, June/July/August (01-8852622) Week-long art workshops for ages five to seven and ages seven to nine (€15/€20) and sculpture workshops for ages 10 to 12 and 13 to 17 (€20/€45). Also, back by popular demand, the photography workshop for ages 13-17 (€25).
Botanic Art School, Prospect Avenue, Glasnevin, Dublin 9,July/August (01-8304720) Five-day summer art camps for ages seven to 12 include drawing trips to the nearby Botanic Gardens. The course includes art tuition and drama classes (€130).
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Music & Dance
National Concert Hall, Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2, August (01-4170000) Choreographer Caimin Collins hosts creative dance workshops for ages six to eight, nine to 12 and seven to 12. Also instrument-making workshops for ages nine to 12 and 13 to 15 and mask-making workshops for ages six to eight (€7-€10 a workshop). The NCH also runs music-making workshops for children and their parents at weekends in August (€7 each or €24 for a family ticket).
The Ark, Eustace Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2, June/July (01-6707788) Jean Butler of Riverdance fame will lead one-off workshops in traditional Irish dance. Also music-making workshops for ages four to six, as well as workshops for older children exploring the relationship between traditional Irish instruments and their owners (€8.50). All part of the Sessions festival of music, dance and storytelling from June 22nd to 27th in Temple Bar. In July, ages 11-14 can experiment with songwriting, recording and mixing in a week-long workshop (€75). Younger children can join one-off workshops that explore rhythm, movement and literature (€8.50).
Walton's New School of Music, 69 South Great George's Street, Dublin 2 July/August (01-4781884) A chance to return to or try out a new instrument or join an ensemble. Private or group lessons over five weeks include blues harmonica, fiddle, bodhrán and djembe (€90-€125). One-off crash courses in bodhrán and tin whistle (€22/€25) and singing and guitar courses for teenagers. Also Music for Me: five two-hour sessions of fun and music-making for ages five to seven,seven to nine and 9 to 11 (€100).
Ballet Ireland Summer Workshops, various venues, July/August (0405-57585) Now in their third year, these week-long workshops offer children the chance to be involved in producing a full-length ballet. Venues include Mermaid Arts Centre, Bray, Co Wicklow (July 7th-18th, €60), Civic Theatre, Tallaght, Dublin 24 (July 21st-25th, €75), An Grianán, Letterkenny, Co Donegal (July 28th-August 1st, €50), Glór, Ennis, Co Clare (August 4th-8th, €75), Burnavon Arts Centre, Cookstown, Co Tyrone (August 11th-15th, £7.50) and the Excel, Tipperary town (August 18th-22nd,€55).
National Performing Arts School, St Mary's School, Haddington Road, Dublin 4, and The Factory, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, June/July/August (01-6684035) Everything from singing for toddlers to funky jazz, hip hop, street dance and tap for ages two to 20 (€65-€120).
Draíocht Arts Centre, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15, June/July/August (01-8852622) Week-long workshops include musical games for ages five to seven and contemporary dance workshops for ages nine to 17 (€15-€45). Also dance for ages nine to 17 (€25-€45) and DJ mixing for ages 13-17 (€40).
Triskel Arts Centre, Tobin Street, Cork, July (021-4272022) Miniature Melodies: week-long workshops aimed at primary-school children (€80).
Daghdha Dance Company, Dromroe Village, University of Limerick, June/July (061-202804) One-week courses for ages five to seven, eight to 11 and 12 to 18 from this professional dance company (€75 a week, €130 for two weeks).
University of Limerick Summer Schools, University Concert Hall, Limerick, July (061-331549) Options include a musical-theatre summer camp involving singing, dancing, acting and improvisation for ages 11-17, a children's opera theatre summer school for ages eight to 18 and a summer music school for young classical musicians and music students (€150-€360).
Laois School of Music, c/o Arts Office, Portlaoise, Co Laois, July 21-24 (0502-64183) Tuition for ensemble singers and students currently learning a stringed instrument forms the core of this first annual summer school, held at St Paul's National School, Portlaoise. For ages 10 and over with a minimum entry requirement of Grade 1 exam completion (€90).
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Film & Theatre
Gaiety School of Acting, Meeting House Square, Temple Bar, Dublin 2, July/August (01-6799277) The extensive programme includes one- and two-week drama courses and week-long make-a-movie and make-a-play courses. Also drama and film courses for ages 16 and over. Venues this year are the school's Temple Bar headquarters, Dublin; Pavilion Theatre, Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin; Cork Opera House and Forkin Crane, Cork city; and Kenmare, Co Kerry (€140-€225).
Betty Ann Norton Theatre School, Harcourt Street, Dublin 2, July/August (01-4751913) Children and teenagers can learn how to act, write scripts and work with cameras (€130-€165).
Pavilion Theatre, Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin, July 14-18 (01-2312929) Drama, dance and singing workshops make up this performing-arts summer camp run by Backstage Academy for ages eight and over (€85).
Theatre Space, Henry Place, Dublin 1, June 30-July 11 (01-8729977) Following the success of its Irish-speaking drama classes, Theatre Space is running its first summer drama camp in Irish for ages five to 12 (€50/€80).
Cinecamp, Sion Hill College, Blackrock, Co Dublin, June 30-July 11 (01-2804839) A new entrant to the summer-camp scene, this course teaches the basics of film and animation. For ages eight to 16 (€250 for two weeks).
The Ark, Eustace Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2, August 18-22 (01-6707788) A course in documentary film-making using digital technology for ages 11-14 in collaboration with Media Lab Europe
(€75).
Market Place Theatre and Arts Centre, Armagh city, August (048-37521821) Drama, dance, puppet and circus workshops (£5-£10 a workshop or £15 a week).
Triskel Arts Centre, Tobin Street, Cork, July (021-4272022) A drama and theatre-arts camp for ages eight to 12 includes the art of mask, puppet and costume-making (€85).
An Grianán Theatre, Port Road, Letterkenny, Co Donegal, July/August (074-20777) A week-long introduction to drama for ages six to 15 (€35).
Riverbank Arts Centre, Newbridge, Co Kildare, July (045-448309) The Crooked House Theatre Company is running summer drama, art and storytelling camps for ages five to 12 (€60).
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Cookery & Pottery
Busy Bee Summer School of Cooking, Ballinclea Heights, Killiney, Co Dublin, June-August (01-2858674) Kids aged 11-16 can learn culinary secrets at this well-established cookery school run by Bee Mannix-Walsh (€175 a week, equipment and basic ingredients provided).
Pompeii Paints, Leisureplex, Stillorgan and Blanchardstown, Dublin, July (01-2881656/01-8223030) Five-day courses in pottery-painting techniques. €80 for five two-hour classes.
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Sport
Summer Soccer, countrywide, June 30-August 29 (1890-653653) The soccer stars of the future are trained by qualified FAI coaches in venues throughout the country. Week-long soccer schools open to boys and girls aged eight to 16 (€69 a week). Also special programme for goalkeepers (€55) and girls-only weekends (€40).
Soccer and rugby courses, c/o David Deering, 45 Deerpark Road, Mount Merrion, Co Dublin (01-2882111) Intensive soccer and rugby coaching for ages five to 14 at RFC, Stradbrook Road, Blackrock, Co Dublin; St Mary's RFC, Templeville Road, Templelogue, Dublin 6; and Wanderer's FC, Merrion Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4 ( €55 for four days/ €70 for five days).
Parks Tennis c/o Kay Lonegan, 142 Vernon Avenue, Clontarf, Dublin 3, July (01-8338711) Tennis lessons at courts in public parks, schools and community centres in 24 counties in the Republic and Northern Ireland. Use of racquets, balls and courts is free, but there is a registration fee of €10-€20. Registration is on June 27 at many venues.
Mick Smyth Tennis Camp, 4 Mountown Park, Terenure, Dublin 12, July/August (01-4505341) This well-established tennis camp based at Terenure College is for beginners, intermediate and advanced players aged six to 16 (€70 a
week).
National Basketball Camp, ESB Basketball Arena, Tymon Park, Tallaght, Dublin 24, July/August (01-4590211) For ages six to 12 and 10 to 16 (€50/55).
Multi-activity Sports Camp/Tennis Camps, Westwood Club, Leopardstown Racecourse, Foxrock, Dublin 18 (01-2191827) and Clontarf, Dublin 3 (01-8057813) July/August The week-long multi-activity camps include basketball, swimming, soccer and hip hop dance for ages four to 13 (€75 members/€90 non-members).
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 (01-2800239/www.sailing.ie). Glenans Irish Sailing Club also runs courses for ages 14-17 in July at its centres in Co Mayo and Co Cork (01 6611481). See panel.
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 (01-2984301) Volleyball, soccer, orienteering, treasure hunts, assault courses and some arts and crafts are included in this adventure camp for ages five to 12 (€90 a week).
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Wildlife Camps
Fota Wildlife Park, Carrigtwohill, Co Cork, July/August (021-4812678) Week-long summer camps for ages four to 12 include seed planting, experiments and going behind the scenes with the animals
(€72).
Dublin Zoo, Phoenix Park, Dublin, July/August (01-4748932) These week-long courses for ages six to 12 are a very popular option for children who love going to the zoo (€80 members/€90 non-members).
Airfield Trust, Upper Kilmacud Road, Dundrum, Dublin 14, August (01-2984301) Week-long art and
nature camps for ages five to 12
(€90).
Cape Clear Bird Observatory, Cape Clear Island, Co Cork, July 27-August 1 (01-2804322) Birdwatch Ireland is running its first summer course for families: Wildlife Detective - Investigate Nature offers separate morning workshops for children and adults followed by communal walks and free afternoons (€50 a child, €200 an adult).
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Summer Movies
Nicholas Nickleby Adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic with Jim Broadbent, Christopher Plummer, and Anne Hathaway. Currently showing.
The Little Polar Bear Animated film about a feisty little polar bear called Lars, based on the children's book by Hans de Beer. Opens June 27.
Piglet's Big Movie Move over Winnie the Pooh. Piglet leads the cast from 100 Aker Wood in this animated film. Due to open July 4.
Sinbad: Legend Of The Seven Seas Brad Pitt, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Michelle Pfeiffer and Joseph Fiennes do the voices for this animated seafaring adventure. Due to open July 25.
Agent Cody Banks Malcolm In The Middle star Frankie Muniz plays a pint-sized CIA recruit. Due to open August 1.
Spy Kids 3: Game Over Sylvester Stallone plays the villain in this film about under-age secret agents. Due to open July 25.
Pirates Of The Caribbean Johnny Depp becomes a seafaring villain alongside Geoffrey Rush and Orlando Bloom. Due to open August 8.
Rugrats Go Wild! More adventures with these smart-talking animated characters. Due to open August 8.
The Lizzie McGuire Movie Disney comedy about a girl who gets mistaken for an Italian pop star on a class trip to Italy. Due to open August 15.As children count down the days to the summer holidays, many parents are searching for information about summer schools, art and drama workshops, sports camps . . . anything to keep the children busy once the holiday euphoria wears off.
This year's round-up of summer activities is in two instalments. Today's features many of the best summer courses on offer. There's an ever increasing variety, so it's hard to choose - but try to find something that genuinely interests your children. Talk about what you think they might enjoy - and offer them a choice, if possible.
Next Tuesday's activities page will detail many of the free family events taking place in parks and museums and also some interesting places to visit in Ireland. It will also give a snapshot of children's events at summer arts festivals. Happy holidays!
Books for more information: For The Kids - A Family-Friendly Guide To Outings And Activities For Children In Ireland (Liffey Press, €15); Dublin For Kids by Jane Suiter and Louise Trehy (O'Brien Press, €12.95); Summer Camps In Ireland 2003 (Grapevine Productions, €4.99)
Next Tuesday
Free family events and interesting places to visit
One of the 365 islands in Clew Bay, Co Mayo, Collanmore has no roads, no cars and a postman who arrives by boat. This isolated spot is also where teenagers from Ireland, France, Italy and Spain learn how to sail and windsurf every year at Glenans Sailing Club.
Ruth Spillane, above, from Nenagh, Co Tipperary, did a catamaran sailing course at Collanmore last year. "It was a brilliant course. I had never sailed before, but the instructors were so patient. I had been to the Gaeltacht, and I thought it was a big fashion show, but in Glenans you can do your own thing and everybody is accepted."
Spillane still keeps in touch with friends she made from Galway, Dublin and Cork while on Collanmore Island.
Christopher Driver from Co Meath also visited the island two years ago for a sailing course. He returned there to work last summer. "There is nothing on the island apart from the sleeping accommodation. It's great crack. After the day's sailing we'd walk around the island. Where you sleep isn't the warmest place in the world, but you get acclimatised." Driver adds that any holiday romances that blossom in such Spartan conditions are kept under control by the base manager.
Glenans runs week-long courses for dinghies, cataramarans and windsurfing on Collanmore Island (€499 a week) and land-based and live-aboard cruising courses in Baltimore, Co Cork (€369-€529 a week). See www.glenans-ireland.com
The mist hugs the hedgerows and the rain cloaks the conifer plantations on an early June morning at Pine Forest Arts Centre. Although just a 15-minute drive from the south Dublin suburbs, it's a world away from the traffic, shops and people below. That's why this long-established arts centre attracts up to 1,000 children each summer.
Moving between activities in wooden cabins and eating lunch out of doors (on the sunny days, of course), the children can also enjoy paddles in a nearby stream and walks on the hillside while at camp.
"The first priority is for the children to have fun; education is secondary," says Katie Long, who runs the centre with its owner, Mary Carroll. "After each camp, the children go home with about 30 different artefacts. We find that we need lots of different activities which look finished for the younger children - the clay-modelling and pottery are the most popular - while the older ones can learn to improve their techniques in enamelling and leatherwork," says Long, a former jeweller and Montessori teacher.
Many of the children who attend are picked up by bus each day at more than 15 locations on Dublin's southside. "A big social thing happens on the bus. The children make new friends and keep seats for them on the journey here."
See art listings for course details
