Activities that will open for booking in November and December

Bookings that will open on Friday 6 November at 10 am

Make Paper Gift Boxes (adults and ages 15+)

Learn to make paper gift boxes from upcycled paper and card. Join facilitator Gobnait Ní Néill to learn this handy paper folding technique to create easy but elegant gift wrapping for all occasions. There will be plenty of paper on hand, or you can bring your own pieces of wrapping paper to use.

Thursday 3 December, 1 pm; duration 90 minutes; Free

 

Ukulele Christmas Social (adults and ages 15+)

The Ukulele Christmas Social is for beginner and improver ukulele players. Join Artist in Residence Shane McGrath to play and sing some seasonal songs. No teaching, just tea, chats and tunes.  Ukuleles will be provided or you can bring your own. 

Tuesday 1 December, 6.30 pm; duration 90 minutes; Free

Bookings that will open on Wednesday 11 November at 10 am

 

Make a Fox Christmas Decoration (adults and ages 15+) 

Create your own fox Christmas tree decoration. Join artist and illustrator Enagh Farrell to learn how to paint a fox onto a Christmas bauble for you to bring home.  No previous experience is needed. All materials will be provided.

Tuesday 8 December, 11 am, duration 2 hours; Free

 

Print Your Own Furoshiki Wrapping Cloth (adults and ages 8+)

Furoshiki are Japanese wrapping cloths traditionally used to carry items or wrap gifts and packages. They make a great alternative to single use wrapping paper. Join artist Liz Walsh to print your own furoshiki to wrap a gift for someone special.

Wednesday 9 December, 6 pm; duration 2 hours; Free

 

Bookings that will open on Thursday 12 November at 10 am

 

Talk at the Mess (all ages)

We want to celebrate the rich stories and experiences of the local community, past and present. Talks at the Mess is a series of monthly talks at Richmond Barracks that highlights local history, stories, and passions. 

Wednesday 2 December, 6 pm; duration 1 hour; Free

 

Saturday Craft Social (adults and ages 8+)

Try out textile-based crafts and work on your own projects. Facilitated by Artist in Residence Niki Collier, this informal craft session is aimed at those who want to get together, make things and be creative. Whether you are trying to finish an old project, start a new one or just want to try out something new, this is for you. All levels of experience are welcome. 

Saturday 12 December, 10.30 am; duration 3 hours; Free

 

Bookings that will open on Friday 4 December at 10 am

Talk at the Mess: The Life and Times of Constance Markievicz (all ages)

Talks at the Mess is a series of monthly talks at Richmond Barracks that highlights local history, stories, and passions. 2027 marks the centenary of the death of Countess Constance Markievicz, a defining figure in the Irish revolution, whose life is commemorated at Richmond Barracks. In this illustrated talk, historian Anna Collins explores the life and times of this remarkable revolutionary.

Wednesday 6 January, 6 pm; duration 1 hour; Free

Bookings that will open on Saturday 5 December at 10 am

Exploring Crochet (adults and ages 15+)

Learn how to crochet and explore crochet as a decorative and sculptural artform. Join Artist in Residence Niki Collier to learn basic and more advanced crochet stitches and create your own crochet pieces and artworks. Each week will focus on a different crochet project through which you will learn different techniques. These workshops are suitable for beginners and more experienced crocheters.

Tuesdays 5 January to 9 February, 6 pm; duration 2 hours; €5 (non-refundable)

 

Introduction to Oil Pastels (adults and ages 15+) 

Discover some of the different techniques of oil pastels. Join artist Ailbhe Barrett to try out the various blending methods and effects that can be achieved, learn about composition and improve your observational skills. These workshops are suitable for complete beginners. Each workshop will focus on a different technique. You can book to come to one workshop or as many as you like. 

Wednesdays 6 January to 10 February, 6.30 pm; duration 2 hours; €5 (non-refundable)

 

Bookings that will open on Wednesday 9 December at 10 am

Chime in and Play: Music and Movement (ages 18 months to 5 years)

Chime in and Play is a weekly music and movement workshop for children and their grown ups. Join Artist in Residence Shane McGrath to explore different music styles, and to play, sing and move! 

Fridays 8 January to 12 February, 3 pm; duration 1 hour; Free

 

Ukulele for Beginners (adults and ages 15+)

The ukulele is a great starter instrument for anyone who wants to try playing music for the first time. Led by Artist in Residence Shane McGrath, each week you will learn some new chords and try out playing a few tunes. You don't need any previous experience to take part. Ukuleles will be provided or you can bring your own. 

Wednesdays 6 January to 10 February, 6 pm; duration 1 hour; Free

 

Ukulele for Improvers (adults and ages 15+)

Ukulele for Improvers is for people who have already started playing the ukulele and want to continue to learn. Led by Artist in Residence Shane McGrath, each week you will learn some new chords and try out playing a few tunes. You will need some experience of basic ukulele playing to take part. If you find this workshop too hard you are welcome to join the beginners session that takes place at 6 pm. Ukuleles will be provided or you can bring your own.

Wednesdays 6 January to 10 February, 7.15 pm; duration 1 hour; Free

Bookings that will open on Thursday 10 December at 10 am

Writing Our Ancestry (adults and ages 15+)

What do we inherit - in stories, in memory, in the body? What do we choose to carry forward? Join Artist in Residence Trudie Gorman for a series of creative writing workshops exploring ancestry in its many forms: writing to, from and about those who came before us - and those who will come after. Using guided writing prompts, reflective exercises and shared discussion, we will explore lineage as lived experience: family histories, imagined conversations, cultural inheritance, place, belonging and legacy. 

Fridays 8 January to 12 February, 11 am; duration 2 hours; Free

 

Bookings that will open on Friday 11 December at 10 am

Sing for Fun (adults and ages 15+)

Sing for Fun is for anyone interested in singing as part of a group. Join Artist in Residence Michael McCartan and learn to sing different songs and try out vocal warm-ups and exercises. No singing experience is needed, just a willingness to take part. Stay around for a cup of tea and a chat afterwards.

Thursdays 7 January to 18 March, 11 am; duration 90 minutes; Free

Bookings that will open on Saturday 12 December at 10 am

Sketchbook Club (ages 15 to 23)

Sketchbook Club is an art club for young people to draw and make art hosted by Artist in Residence Kate Escolin. Everyone is welcome, whether you are an experienced artist or just starting out. This will be a creative space where mistakes are welcomed and exploration is encouraged! All art materials are provided but feel free to bring your own sketchbook.

Tuesdays 12 January to 16 March, 6 pm; duration 90 minutes; Free

Bookings that will open on Wednesday 16 December at 10 am

 

Dance Delights (adults and ages 15+)

Try out different dance styles. Join Artists in Residence Philippa Donnellan and Mia DiChiaro and discover new ways to move your body to music. No prior experience of dance is needed and you can move at your own pace. 

Tuesdays 19 January to 23 February, 11 am; duration 1 hour; Free

 

Plant a Forest (all ages)

Help us create a Pocket Forest in the Richmond Barracks garden. Join Catherine Cleary and Siobhan McNamara from Pocket Forests and Eco-Gardener Polly Rowley-Sams for a tree planting workshop. We will help you plant young native Irish trees and shrubs. You can learn how to plant trees so they get off to a great start and can be enjoyed for years to come.

Saturday 30 January and Thursday 4 February, 2 pm; duration 90 minutes; Free

 

Saturday Craft Social (adults and ages 8+)

Try out textile-based crafts and work on your own projects. Facilitated by Artist in Residence Niki Collier, this informal craft session is aimed at those who want to get together, make things and be creative. Whether you are trying to finish an old project, start a new one or just want to try out something new, this is for you. All levels of experience are welcome. 

Saturday 16 January, 10.30 am; duration 3 hours; Free

 

Bookings that will open on Thursday 17 December at 10 am

Writers Circle (adults and ages 15+)

The Writers Circle is for anyone who has taken part in previous creative writing workshops in the Culture Connects programme. Facilitated by Artist in Residence Trudie Gorman, the Writers Circle is a monthly meet-up that encourages people to continue writing and sharing their work. Get feedback and encouragement for your writing and connect with others through a shared interest. 

Wednesday 20 January, 11 am; duration 2 hours; Free

 

Children's History Workshop: The History of Everyday Technology (ages 6 to 12)

Join Dublin's Historian in Residence for Children Lorcan McEvoy to explore the history of everyday technology. Learn about the history of the many items in our day to day lives that we take for granted like television, computers, phones and radios. Each item has a story to discover.

Saturday 23 January, 11 am; duration 1 hour; Free