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Puppet time at Farmleigh Estate. Farmleigh via Facebook
family magazine

7 family events to check out this weekend - from island storytelling to Harry Potter

Wondering how to keep the kids busy over the weekend? Here’s our pick of the best events countrywide.

DUBLIN

Family Day At Farmleigh: Farmleigh Estate is rounding off a fantastic summer programme with a family fun day this Sunday. There’ll be arts and crafts and lots of old-fashioned games for the kids to try, as well as live music and good food.

Suits: All ages. Time: 11.30am-4.40pm. Tickets: Free. Find out more here.

Your Say, Your Way: Draíocht in Blanchardstown is all about creative teenagers this Saturday. The theatre is hosting free workshops in dance, spoken word, stop-motion Lego, cartoon and comic creation for those interested in exploring the arts.

Suits: 13-16 yrs. Time: 10am-4.30pm. Tickets: Free. Find out more here.

Beauty And The Beast: The Pavilion Theatre in Dun Laoghaire is showing Disney’s 1991 version of Beauty And The Beast on Saturday, in all its remastered cinematic glory. This is a great way to introduce your kids to musicals, if that’s your inclination.

Suits: All ages. Time: 2pm. Tickets: €6.50 (child); €7.50 (adult); €20 (family). Book tickets here.

20525731_820320041461057_3340062255524183051_n Wizarding rock 'n' roll at LeakyCon. LeakyCon LeakyCon

LeakyCon: Fans of Harry Potter will unite this Sunday at LeakyCon, a massive fan expo taking place in Citywest. With appearances from Evanna Lynch (Luna Lovegood), Katie Leung (Cho Chang) and Alfred Enoch (Dean Thomas), plus loads of Potter-themed events throughout the day, expect nothing less than Pottermania.

Suits: 11+. Time: 9am-5pm. Tickets: €50 per person. More info here.

CORK

Ballymaloe Garden Festival: If you have hopes of growing your own, then head to the Ballymaloe Garden Festival this weekend, where experts from all over the country will be there to show you how to get started. Aside from the obvious, there will be excellent food, talks and kids activities throughout the weekend.

Suits: All ages. Time: 10am – 6pm, Saturday and Sunday. Tickets: €8 per day, under 12s free. Find out more here.

Cape Clear Storytelling Festival: Mark the end of the summer by taking the kids camping – to a a storytelling festival on a West Cork island! Now in its 23rd year, the festival schedule even has a handy age appropriate sticker on each event, making it easy to pick the ones suitable for your family.

Suits: 6+. Time: All weekend. Tickets: From free, available at the festival office. More info here.

13584888_1389087121108366_7363618561748004134_o Ed Stivender at a previous Cape Clear Island International Storytelling Festival event. Cape Clear Island International Storytelling Festival Cape Clear Island International Storytelling Festival

LAOIS

Electric Picnic: If you’re bringing the kids to The Picnic this weekend, there is plenty to keep you all occupied. From proper family camping to baby changing, they’ve gone all-out to make sure that it’s a comfy experience for the whole family. Soul Kids as always has a packed schedule with nature walks, forest school crafts and lots of great music.

Suits: All ages. Time: All weekend. Tickets: Sold out, unless you’ve already snapped one up. More info here.

Stay updated by following the Family Magazine on Facebook and Twitter – and don’t forget to enter this week’s competition for a two-night family staycation at the five-star Heritage Killenard!

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