A feast of family fun ahead during Leanbh Festival
PLEDGING to nurture arts for all ages, Leanbh, Droichead’s annual Arts Festival for children and families, will thrill, inspire and excite.
“Here at Droichead Arts Centre, we are committed to providing high quality cultural experiences for children with an ambitious programme of work for younger audiences,” says Director Collette Farrell.
Taking place throughout the month of October, in the theatre, schools and library, Leanbh promises an ambitious, creative and playful programme for children ages 6 months – 12 years.
For the very youngest fan, from October 3rd at 10am, 11am, 12pm,” I Am Baba” is a magical adventure of song, lights and textures for babies aged 0-12 months. As part of Children’s Book Festival, Louth County Libraries will also present well know children’s author Tom Palmer. Tom will showcase his very popular Football Reading Game – half football reading quiz, half penalty shoot-out – which makes reading fun and relevant to all children. | Oct 14
| 3pm | €7/€6 | Age 3+ UNDER D’BED | Tailtiu Theatre Company | A work in progress for invited schools | Oct 24
| 12:00pm. A choose-your-ownadventure play. Part theatrical experience, part interactive game, join the plucky protagonist as he goes on a fantastical adventure, where the audience determine the outcome. If you are interested in your school attending, please email rita. mcquillan@droichead.com.
Storytelling is always a popular part of the festival, and this year is no different. Storytelling with Grainne Rafferty is part of three events open to children aged four and over in the local library and admission is free. Join her for all the fun on Saturdays October 6th, 13th, and 20th at 11am & 1.00pm.
“In 2017 we worked with over 1,000 students in 12 local schools. Our team of six Visual Artists return in 2018 to facilitate free workshops in local primary schools, letting children explore and experiment with different creative mediums,” adds Collette.
“This year, there will be three sessions per day with a team of two visual artists, limited to one class group per session. If you would like your school to participate in one of the above programmes email rita. mcquillan@droichead.com or call 041 987514.”
There will also be school storytelling from 1-5 & 8-12 October for Junior Infants - 2nd Class:
Delivered by Tríona Ní Dhuibhir, a singer and song writer who writes Irish language short stories for children and creates bi lingual workshops of her stories.
Workshops are fun and children find themselves effortlessly speaking, singing and moving through the story. Two 35-minute sessions per day in one school.
Limited to one class group per session.