Children’s Events: Cruinniú na nÓg at The Ark

Celebrate Cruinniú na nÓg at The Ark this year with an exciting free programme of felting workshops and take a look at The Beautiful Beasts Exhibition, all designed for children with additional sensory needs or access requirements.

Relaxed Workshop: Felted Furry Friends

Discover the ancient craft of felting with artist Gabi McGrath in this workshop designed for children aged 6-12 with additional sensory needs or access requirements.

In this relaxed hands-on workshop, artist Gabi Mc Grath will introduce children to the multi-sensory process of felting. Children will explore the expressive possibilities of wool to create their own unique felted animal masks. This workshop has been designed for children with additional sensory needs or access requirements who would benefit from a more supported, relaxed experience.

Gabi will lead the group through an exploration of wet felting techniques and textured tools that assist the feltmaking process. Working with these ancient and somewhat magical processes, children will explore shape, colour, texture and form to create their own felted furry friend!

The Beautiful Beasts

Visit the weird and wonderful collection of animal sculptures at The Beautiful Beasts exhibition. Amongst the quirky, lovable animals you will find a flying horse, a tortoise with a secret story and a toucan in disguise!

Created by leading Irish and international artists from materials ranging from bronze, woods, ceramics, steel and stone. The Beautiful Beasts exhibition is made up of some of The Ark’s favourite pieces from its collection which spans its 29 years of commissioning professional artists to create work for children.

Having viewed the sculptures in the gallery, children and their families are also invited to spend some time at our creative stations in the Long Room response area to create their own animal-themed artworks.

This exhibition will include a response area for children to create their own artworks inspired by their visit, as well as workshops for school group

The Beautiful Beasts Audio Description and Touch Tour

As part of Cruinniú na nÓg at The Ark this year, they are delighted to welcome Bríd Ní Ghruagáin back to deliver tailored touch tours of The Beautiful Beasts designed for children aged 4-12 with additional sensory needs or access requirements.

Relaxed, audio described touch tours are for children who have a visual impairment or those with additional sensory needs or access requirements who would benefit from a more supported, relaxed experience. Touch Tours give children the opportunity to experience and familiarise themselves with the exhibition in a way that suits them. Touch Tours run for 25-30 minutes.

Bríd will guide you around the exhibition, supporting you to explore the shapes and textures of our Beautiful Beasts through sound and touch, utilising a tactile collection materials as well as some of the artworks themselves.