Family Events at DBF25

We are so excited to welcome you to our weekend Festival Hub at IMMA Venues, Royal Hospital Kilmainham, where we have a full weekend of free family events to enjoy on Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 November! From young ones to teenagers, we’ll have events and activities to suit all ages. 

On the Saturday, author-illustrators Ashwin Chacko and Alan Nolan will both be there providing super fun and engaging interactive events based on their latest books. Ashwin’s Can playfully inspires a can-do confidence, while Alan’s The Grand Central Cinema Club will vividly draw – pardon the pun – young readers back to the world of cinema in the 1930s!

You can also join duo Niamh Sharkey and Owen Churcher for a reading and draw-along of their delightful new picture book Penguin TV inspired by the antics captured on Dublin Zoo’s penguin cam.

On the Sunday, no better person to inspire young writers than author Dave Rudden, in this writing workshop to help you craft that perfect villain! Or join Máire Zepf for a reading from her enchanting new book The Cloud Kingdom, followed by a cloud-themed activity. You can even join E.R Murray for a captivating event around her latest book Arabella Pepper, The Wild Detective where you will investigate a series of clues to create your own exciting mystery. 

Dr Shane Bergin is holding not one but two events for the curious young minds in your house. First up, join him for a science experiment to Test Your Reaction Speed, based on his new book The Experimenters. Or get those wellies on, grab your science notebook, and head out around the grounds of IMMA where Dr Shane will get you Noticing Nature. 

We’re thrilled this year to also have two great events for the older kids on the Saturday. Teen writers will get a chance to perform their stories, song or poetry at the Fighting Words Story Slam Open Mic, while the Rainbow Library team are bringing a creative workshop around tarot cards to our hub.

See the full programme and book your spots here.

While the above events all require booking we have some great events lined up in our drop-in area. On Saturday join Margaret Anne Suggs for a creative session around her new book Robin and Pip, or on Sunday join author Sadhbh Devlin, illustrator Brian Fitzgerald and harpist Emer Ní Scolaí for a storytelling and music session around their new book Oíche Mhaith, a Ghrá. Author Síne Quinn and illustrator Dermot Flynn will be also be putting on a fun-filled event, including creating your own drawings and stories on Irish faeries based on their book The Faerie Isle.

This year we have not one but two Book Clinics with the Children’s Books Ireland Book Doctors. Come on the Saturday for recommendations in English and for our young gaeilgeoirí, or those looking to brush up on their Irish, bígí linn Dé Domhnaigh! Places are limited so get there early to book in your time slot.

Be sure to drop by the Dublin Zoo Conservation Station on Sunday, where the team will be on hand with plenty of amazing biofacts, as well as insights into the work they do to help the loss of biodiversity on Earth. Catch talks on animal adaptations at 12.15pm and 2.30pm.

We’ll also have so many ongoing activities to enjoy across the whole weekend!

From our arts and crafts station, our book swap stand and our bookshop to browse, to our ‘Plant Your Own’ station for planting your own pot to take away with you, along with some tips from our experts on planting and growing at home! Need to stretch the legs? Head off on our Family Treasure Hunt around the stunning grounds and gardens of IMMA. Pick up your clues, head off on the trail, and return for your prize!

We’ll continue to update our IMMA Venues page with all the details you need to help you plan your visit to our Festival Hub, where you can spend the day immersed in events and activities for the young book lovers in your family.

The on-site café means you won’t go hungry while you spend the day with us, and the stunning gardens provide ample space to explore between events.

IMMA is easily reached by public transport, while the carpark has plenty of room if you’re coming by car. 

We can’t wait to welcome families to our magical world of books at IMMA Venues!

If you’re travelling and planning to make a weekend of it, the Hilton Dublin Kilmainham is at a stone’s throw from our Festival Hub. 

Please note parents/guardians must remain with children during all events (with the exception of the Rainbow Library Creative Workshop).