Dec 19 - 25/03/2012

A special display showcasing the Gallery’s extensive collection of prints and drawings, featuring illustrations for fairy tales, poems and stories by John Butler Yeats, Richard and Charles Doyle, Paul Henry and Harry Clarke. These fascinating images, created using a variety of media, include both preliminary sketches and colourful finished pieces. They date from the 1870s to the 1920s, a golden period in children’s book illustration. http://www.nationalgallery.ie/en/aboutus/ThisWeek/Masterpieces.aspx

Jan 16 - 27/02/2012

Course Start Date: January 16th 2012 Course Duration: 6 weeks Fee: €190.00 Course outline here More information here or email info@creativewriting.ie Our Writing for Children course, which is tutored by Oisin McGann will cover the basics of storytelling and the specific aspects of writing for children and young adults. Areas that will be looked at include: how to generate ideas; how to use observation; description of both character and setting; using dialogue and ensuring a good pace and plot, as well as how to tailor your writing for different age groups. There will be practical exercises and a final writing task at the end of the course. Oisin will also be giving tips on how to get published, and how to market your books once you get published. Places are strictly limited to 12 – early booking advisable.

Feb 01 - 07/03/2012

This course is designed for anyone interested in beginning to write children's fiction, ranging from picture books to young adult fiction. It looks at issues specific to writing for a young audience as well as topics relevant to all kinds of fiction. Length: 6 weeks Fee: €150

Mar 03

Write-a-rama with Sarah Webb – 10-12 yrs x 15 (2hrs) How do you write a great opening? What makes characters jump off the page? What are the vital elements of any story? Join Dun Laoghaire’s favourite children’s author for a creative-writing masterclass unlike any other! Are you ready to have some writing fun? Then this is the workshop for you!   Biog: Sarah Webb is the author of the Ask Amy Green series for readers of 10+ and many other books for younger readers and for adults. Her books have been published in many different countries including the US, Poland, Italy and Indonesia. She loves sharing her writing tips with young writers. For more information see www.askamygreen.com or www.sarahwebb.ie Does your child dream of becoming the next best-selling author, award-winning illustrator or comic-book genius? YOU CREATE! provides a unique opportunity for young people aged 5 - 14 to hone their skills under the expert guidance of some of the most talented writers and artists in the business. With an emphasis on fun and interaction, this innovative series of workshops will give participants the chance to improve their story-writing, produce a personalised picture book, create a 4-page mini-comic or even design their very own Beast! So let your imagination run wild at The Pavilion this Spring and see what YOU CREATE! 

Mar 21 - 09/05/2012

This workshop is designed for anyone interested in writing for older children (9+), or the teenage/young adult audience. There will be a heavy emphasis on each participant getting feedback on their own work. The class element will concentrate on topics common to all kinds of fiction (character development, plot, viewpoint, description, language, etc.) as well as issues specific to children's and young adult fiction (deciding on a target audience, developing authentic child/teen voices, taboo topics and censorship, how to research, and the 'crossover' novel). Length: 8 weeks Fee: €200

Mar 23 - 24/03/2012

A conference on Irish-language children's literature is to be held in St. Patrick's College, Drumcondra, on 23rd & 24th march 2012. Full programme available here.

Mar 24

What’s Your Story? with Roisin Meaney – 12-14 yrs x 15 (2hrs)* Where do ideas come from? What makes a good character? How can you keep a reader interested until the very last word of your story? Join author Roisin Meany as she reveals some of the ‘tricks-of-the-trade’ she uses to write the kind of stories that people want to read. Then see what happens when you try them out in your own stories! Biog: Roisin Meaney was born in Kerry but has lived mostly in Limerick city since the age of eight. She used to be a teacher but now she writes books. In the past ten years she’s written seven adult novels and two children’s books, Don't Even Think About It and See If I Care with Judi Curtin. She likes cats, chocolate, books, chocolate, walking and chocolate. You can find out more on: www.roisinmeaney.com   Does your child dream of becoming the next best-selling author, award-winning illustrator or comic-book genius? YOU CREATE! provides a unique opportunity for young people aged 5 - 14 to hone their skills under the expert guidance of some of the most talented writers and artists in the business. With an emphasis on fun and interaction, this innovative series of workshops will give participants the chance to improve their story-writing, produce a personalised picture book, create a 4-page mini-comic or even design their very own Beast! So let your imagination run wild at The Pavilion this Spring and see what YOU CREATE! 

Apr 14

Beastly Drawings with Chris Judge – 7-10 yrs x 20 (1.5hrs) Join us for this exciting workshop where young artists will have the chance to design their very own beasts and monsters with author and illustrator Chris Judge, creator of The Lonely Beast. Participants will delve into the world of the Lonely Beast, as he sets out on an epic journey to find friends around the world. They will then create an exciting poster made up of 6 different panels that tell the story of their very own Beast, which can be taken away to finish-off at home. Biog: Chris Judge is a Dublin-based artist and illustrator whose work has been hugely influenced by comic artists. He has had four solo exhibitions in Dublin as well as taking part in group shows in Ireland, UK and U.S.A. Chris is a member of the Irish Guild of Illustrators and is regularly commissioned by Irish and International companies and media organisations. The Lonely Beast is his debut picture book and was the winner of the 2011 Irish Book Awards Junior Children's Book of the Year. See: http://chrisjudge.4ormat.com Does your child dream of becoming the next best-selling author, award-winning illustrator or comic-book genius? YOU CREATE! provides a unique opportunity for young people aged 5 - 14 to hone their skills under the expert guidance of some of the most talented writers and artists in the business. With an emphasis on fun and interaction, this innovative series of workshops will give participants the chance to improve their story-writing, produce a personalised picture book, create a 4-page mini-comic or even design their very own Beast! So let your imagination run wild at The Pavilion this Spring and see what YOU CREATE!             

Apr 28

Comicbook Creations with Maeve Clancy – 8-12 yrs x 20 (1.5hrs) Learn how to create comics from initial concept to a finished work in this short intensive workshop with artist and writer Maeve Clancy. Over an hour and a half, participants will write a simple story, design characters, illustrate backgrounds and format the work into a 4-page mini-comic.  Writing techniques, design skills and layout are all covered in this whirlwind introduction to comics and graphic storytelling.   Biog: Maeve Clancy is a Dublin-based artist and writer. She produces comics, illustration and animation in a variety of ways including cut paper, paint and pop-up. A selection of episodes from her weekly comic Flatmates was published as part of the Sequences series by the Verbal Arts Centre 2D Comics Festival in 2010. She is currently working on Inheritance, a graphic novel set in Dublin and Berlin. See: www.maeveclancy.com/; www.flatmatesthecomic.com; and www.inheritancethecomic.com/ Does your child dream of becoming the next best-selling author, award-winning illustrator or comic-book genius? YOU CREATE! provides a unique opportunity for young people aged 5 - 14 to hone their skills under the expert guidance of some of the most talented writers and artists in the business. With an emphasis on fun and interaction, this innovative series of workshops will give participants the chance to improve their story-writing, produce a personalised picture book, create a 4-page mini-comic or even design their very own Beast! So let your imagination run wild at The Pavilion this Spring and see what YOU CREATE!