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

St Patrick’s Festival

Dublin

St. Patrick's Festival is Ireland's official celebration of our national holiday, St. Patrick's Day. Its origins lie in honoring Ireland's patron saint, St. Patrick. Initially, it was a solemn commemorative feast day dedicated to paying tribute to the saint, but over the years, St. Patrick's Day has evolved into a vibrant celebration encompassing the richness of Irish culture. Today, it is a joyful occasion marked by parades, performances, and diverse expressions of Irish heritage; a multicultural international event that is committed to displaying contemporary and traditional arts, culture

What's on

Aware Harbour2Harbour Walk

Dún Laoghaire / Howth

Are you looking for something different to do this St Patrick’s Day? Why not take steps for mental health! Join us at the 19th annual Aware Harbour2Harbour Walk (proudly supported by Dublin Port) on St Patrick’s Day, Tuesday 17th March 2026. An official event of St Patrick’s Festival, the walk welcomed over 3,000 enthusiastic participants last year, and we’re hoping to make 2026 even bigger, with even more people taking on the 26km route. Walkers can start from either Howth Harbour or Dún Laoghaire Harbour and finish at the opposite harbour. You can choose which harbour you start o

What's on

One Dublin One Book

Dublin

Christine Falls by John Banville is the One Dublin One Book choice for 2026, following on from Dublin Written in Our Hearts, an anthology, chosen for 2025. One Dublin One Book aims to encourage everyone in Dublin to read a designated book connected with the capital city during the month of April every year. This annual project is a Dublin City Council initiative, led by Dublin City Libraries and Dublin UNESCO City of Literature, which encourages reading for pleasure. The author introduces us to the maverick pathologist Quirke whose only passion is finding truth in science. While readers