The Ark: Animal Transformations

This event has ended

Online, Friday 31st July - Friday 7th August

The Ark: Animal Transformations – Online book-making workshop with visual artist Duffy Mooney-Sheppard, for ages 5-12.

Discover ancient tales of shape-shifting creatures and create your own in this online workshop. Ireland's history is full of stories of humans turning into animals. Have you heard of the Selkie people who could transform into seals? The children who became swans? The women who became wolves? The man who became a salmon, an eagle and then a hawk?! These animal people were believed to possess great wisdom and knowledge. In this creative book-making workshop, you will choose what animal would you become and see what wisdom you might learn. Using simple materials, we will design a simple booklet and each draw our own imagined animal transformation tale. You will need:

  1. A few sheets of A4 paper (white or coloured)
  2. Drawing materials i.e. pencils, markers, crayons, or whatever you have at home
  3. A piece of A4 card if you have it (This will be used to make a cover for your booklet. If you don't have card you can use some cardboard from the recycling.)
  4. Stapler or similar (alternatively pritt stick/glue/sellotape)
  5. Scissors

Requirements for Participation
For safety reasons, a parent or grown-up should be present in the room throughout the session, and if necessary be available to assist their child, so you're very welcome to take part in the workshop alongside your child.

  • Computer/Tablet/Phone with internet access for Zoom – placed on a table at children's eye level
  • A table to sit at
  • Pencils and paper- these can be scraps of paper, card old packaging and any materials you have to hand such as pencils, crayons, makers, paints

The Ark: Animal Transformations workshop will be delivered using the Zoom video call software. This will be a private Zoom session which will only be accessed by those booked into the workshop, the artist and The Ark's staff. The session will be recorded for the safety and security of all participants, however this recording will not be shared publicly and will be deleted within 30 days.

Booking information
Tickets: €10 per child | €8.50* | 20% off for Members
Dates: Friday 31st July & Friday 7th August @ 11am & 2pm
Duration: Approx. 50 minutes
Age Range: 5-12

*The Concession price is available for Children accompanying third-level students, senior citizens and those in receipt of social security. Concession tickets can only be booked directly through the box office by emailing [email protected].


Date:
Friday 31st July - Friday 7th August
Time:
11.00am | 2.00pm
Price:
€10

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE...

What's on

Orpheus in the Garden

National Botanic Gardens

Before the first song, the garden remembered everything.... Orpheus is a plant hunter who charms the trees with his song. Eurydice, a mycologist whose voice carries deep into the earth. Charon, a liminal figure, keeper of thresholds, compost, and change. In this fresh reimagining of the Orpheus myth, music, ecology, and ancient storytelling entwine in the living landscape of Ireland’s National Botanic Gardens. Audiences follow Glasnevin’s garden-path of love and loss, curiosity and consequence, guided by musicians, children’s choirs and some unexpected creatures. From sunlit law

What's on

The Good Luck Club

National Archives of Ireland

ANU Productions and The National Archives of Ireland are proud to announce The Good Luck Club, a new off site theatre production marking the centenary of Ireland’s 1926 Census. Commissioned as part of the National Archives’ year-long commemorative programme to mark the release of the 1926 Census records, this intimate and immersive experience will be staged within the historic National Archives building on Bishop Street from 27th May 2026 to 14th June 2026 - the first time a theatrical production has ever been mounted in the historical building. Written and directed by Louise Lowe, with

What's on

Poetry Day

Online and Various Locations

Poetry Day Ireland is an annual celebration of poetry and creativity across the island of Ireland, coordinated by Poetry Ireland, and will take place this year on Thursday, 28 May 2026. The theme for Poetry Day Ireland 2026 is "Home", a theme that is significant as poetry has a new ‘home’ on the island as Poetry Ireland returns to No. 11 Parnell Square. This year’s Poetry Day Ireland should also reflect on the concept of home as one of the greatest issues and predominant themes of our times. Get Involved On Poetry Day Ireland we invite individuals, groups, and organisations across th