7 St. Patrick’s Day Family Friendly Activities
Written by 1. St Patrick’s Festival Treasure Hunt
City Hall, Dame Street, D2 Saturday from 10am Free Registration: 10am - 1pm on the day or pre-register in advance.
The Festival Treasure Hunt takes approximately 1 hour 10 min
Are you looking for an adventurous and fun family day out where you can work together as a team to discover Dublin Town? Well this is the event for you. By solving interesting clues and puzzles along the way, the Festival Treasure Hunt takes your family on an exciting trail to explore Dublin’s amazing landmarks, natural beauty and some secret treasures. Prizes for best dressed and entertainment throughout the day.
2. St. Patrick’s Festival Family Big Day Out
Merrion Square, D2 Sunday 12 noon to 6pm Free
A street carnival like no other, St. Patrick’s Festival Family Big Day Out is bursting with colour, street performances, theatrics, Irish language events, workshops, fun zones, music, open air shows, SFI Discover Science Zone, art zones and much, much more! The event includes the Cirque Du Gael and an adaption of the UNESCO City of Literature Citywide Reading choice book, Danger is Everywhere. So come along for a fun-filled family day out in the stunning setting of Georgian Dublin, and enjoy all that is on offer.
3. City at Play: Festival Funfairs
Merrion Square Free entry, rides extra Saturday 11am - 10pm Sunday, Monday and Tuesday 11am - 8pm
Custom House Free entry, rides extra Saturday 11am-10pm Sunday and Tuesday 11am-8pm
Let your hair down and join in the family fun at one of the City at Play – Festival Funfairs. With carnival offerings ranging from thrill rides and high-flying attractions, through to colourful carousels and gentler kiddies’ rides you will find something for everyone in the family. Sideshows and amusement side stalls will also feature where you can test your skills against each other. And don’t forget to take the rare opportunity to look down over beautiful Dublin Town from the 150 foot high Jubilee Wheel!
4. Waterworks Children’s Workshops
Waterways Ireland Visitor Centre, Grand Canal Quay Free, register in advance
Saturday
11.00am – 12.30pm The Greedy Wife and The Magic Fish
12.30pm – 2.00pm Fionn McCumhail and The Dark Pool
2.00pm – 3.30pm The Greedy Wife and The Magic Fish
3.30pm – 5.00pm Fionn McCumhail and The Dark Pool
Aimed at bringing Dublin’s Waterways to life in a relaxed, fun environment, the workshops combine children’s theatre, participatory drama and arts and crafts. Each session includes one theatre show, one drama workshop and one craft workshop. Storytelling, mask-making and a mix of activities based around water, such as body percussion, mime, improvisation, singing are just some of the activities included. Come along and let your children explore the magic of water! Suitable for 4 – 11 year olds
5. Gaelspraoi: Cirque Du Gael (Circus at the Festival Big Day Out)
Merrion Square, D2 Sunday 12:00 noon Free
Join the circus at Cirque du Gael at the Big Day Out! Awesome feats of clowning, acrobatics and juggling – and you get a chance to try out your circus own skills too! Gaelspraoi brings you the best of Irish-language entertainment for all ages, including pop-up performances, family circus and concerts. Whether you have cúpla focal, or no focal at all, come celebrate the Irish language with us.
6. Mad Myths
Royal Hibernian Academy, Ely Place, D2 Saturday Free, booking required
Renowned Irish storyteller Clare Muireann Murphy delivers a number of exciting and enthralling children’s reading sessions aimed at different age groups.
Fabulous First Stories (3-5yrs) 10am – 10.45am
Come and join a playful, interactive session of stories and songs to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, featuring tales of mischievous fairies, lost kings, talking frogs and maybe even a monster or two.
Wild Irish Tales (7-11yrs) 12pm – 1pm
Enjoy an hour of Irish myths and folktales, not for the faint of heart these stories feature wild warriors, mad one-eyed kings and capricious fairies.
Telling Tales Together (family) 2.30pm – 3.30pm
Come and master easy ways to learn a story, ways to keep a story interesting (no matter how many times you have to tell it!), and discover new stories to take home.
7. Danger is Everywhere (Live Show at Festival Big Day Out)
Merrion Square UNESCO Marqueé Sunday 1:15pm/ 3.15pm Free, pre-register
See this year’s Dublin UNESCO City of Literature Citywide Reading choice, Danger is Everywhere, come to life in the children’s literary marquee. Comedian and author David O’Doherty and illustrator Chris Judge will have children and adults in stitches with their brilliant one hour live show. A children’s show aimed at 7-11 year olds!
