Art Workshops
National Gallery Art Holiday: This annual event is part of the tradition of Christmas in Dublin. (See panel.)This year, the art holiday celebrates its 35th year and is sponsored by Bord Gais. To highlight the anniversary, the gallery has invited the Royal Irish Academy of Music Junior String Group to perform December 28th, 29th and 30th of December. Workshops 3 p.m. 4.30 p.m. in the Shaw Room. Admission is free and no booking is necessary.
Outdoors
Dublin Zoo: Always a favourite for desperate parents, the zoo opens Monday -Friday 9.30 a.m. - 4 p.m. Saturday 9.30 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Sunday 10.30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Closed Christmas Day and St. Stephen's Day. Admission: adults £5.90, children aged 3 - 6 £3.20 (under-threes free). Tel: 01 6771425
Ski Club of Ireland, Kilternan, Co Dublin: Lessons for 7 - 14 year-olds at 10.30 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Lessons for over 12-year-olds at 7.30 p.m. Monday to Friday. Advance booking essential. Tel: 01 29955658. Cost: £14 each lesson (including ski and boot hire) Closed December 24th - 26th.
Horse Riding
No doubt those who own horses and ponies will ride out over the holidays, but for those who would like to test their prowess, why not join a pony camp or go on a trek.
The Ashtown Riding Stables, Navan Road, Ashtown, Dublin 15 is one of the few schools in Dublin which is open throughout the Christmas period (except for Christmas Day). Cost: adults £12, children £8 for an hour. Tel: 01 8383807
Brennanstown Riding School, Hollybrook, Kilmacanogue, Bray, Co Wicklow has lots of activities for children over the Christmas period. These include a two-day, non-residential course for 8 15-year-olds on December 22nd and 23rd, and a three-day, non-residential course for 6 - 14-year-olds on December 29th, 30th and 31st. Children's ride-outs and lessons all days excluding Christmas Day. Tel: 01 2863778
Broadmeadow Equestrian Centre, Bullstown, Ashbourne, Co Meath is also running a three-day non-residential children's pony camp from December 29th as well as the mini, midi and maxi horse and pony show on December 20th from 11 a.m. Admission is free except for those wishing to enter a horse or pony. Tel: 01 8352823
Full information on riding schools and equestrian holidays is available from Bord Failte or your local tourist office.
Playgrounds
Try running off all that excess holiday energy in some of the best equipped and most imaginatively laid-out playgrounds, all in Co Dublin. Why not try Bushy Park, Terenure, Marlay Park, Rathfarnham, St Anne's Park, Dollymount and Malahide Castle. The castle is also home to the Fry Model Railway and if you time it properly you might even bump into the jolly guy in the red suit, since Santa visits every Saturday and Sunday until December 20th, 2 p.m. - 5 p.m. Admission to the railway: £2.75, £2.10 (concessions) £1.60 (children) £7.50 family ticket (2 adults with 3 - 4 children).
Fun, Fun, Fun
The annual Funderland extravaganza is back in Dublin from December 26th until January 10th. The promoters, William Bird, have scoured Europe for new attractions which include the magic mouse roller coaster, an addition to the looping star which allows passengers spin 360 degrees. Also making its debut, and not recommended on full stomachs, is mega star, which suspends and turns passengers upsidedown in the air. Perennial favourites include the giant ferris wheel, the waltzer, super disco dodgems and the ghost train. Younger children can try Swiss super rally and toy town juveniles or visit the crazy fun house.
Leisureplexes: The greatest invention since Lego - you can keep moving, grooving and partying 24 hours a day in these pleasure domes. Try out the following leisureplexes: Coolock (Malahide Road, tel: 01 8485722), Stillorgan (Old Bray Road, tel: 01 2881656), Tallaght (Village Green Centre, Tel 01 4599411) and Cork (1 MacCurtain Street, tel: 021 505155) are open every day except Christmas Day, with bowling and Quasar for older kids, Zoo for younger ones and snooker for quieter types. Closed only on Christmas Day.