RoolaBoola Festival for Young People

The RoolaBoola Festival for Young People

Ireland is a fantastic place to visit for both adults and children alike, with a great deal going on to keep the whole family entertained. One such event is RoolaBoola, the Linenhall Art Centre’s art festival for children. The festival takes place annually for a week at the end of October. During this week there is a wide variety of events put on to keep the little ones entertained. The festival draws a number of international acts in the areas of children’s theatre, music and dance. Shows are hosted throughout the week as well as a number of arts events including book readings, and hands-on workshops.

Children will be delighted by the street performances as well as the range of visual art exhibitions designed to stimulate and entertain. The program of events is aimed at children between the ages of two and sixteen and their families. The week is scheduled to be action packed with a great deal to see and do, so it is recommended to book tickets in advance to avoid disappointment. One show being performed during the week is The Musician. Staged as an opera, this show tells the story of the Pied Piper, a young boy who is taught how to play enchanting music by a traveling musician. Based on the fairytales of the Brother’s Grimm, this stage adaptation is a thrilling piece of musical theatre that children will love.

To take a break from all the excitement, children and their families can relax in the RoolaBoola stories room. Meet a number of guest speakers who have been invited to come and read some of their favourite children’s stories as you relax in the peaceful surroundings. With such a variety of activities and events happening all week there is something to capture the interest of all. The finale of the week is a spectacular fireworks show which will be staged by the lake. The Linenhall art centre is located in the town of Castlebar in County Mayo.

For visitors wishing to stay in the city there are a number of good accommodation options ranging from cosy Bed and Breakfast’s to luxurious hotels. Getting around the town is easy with most of the main attractions signposted. As well as hosting the RoolaBoola Children’s festival, Castlebar is also home to a number of good shops, bars and restaurants to keep visitors entertained. The town is also easily reached from other parts of Ireland by road and rail, with the main route in by car being the N5. For visitors one of the best ways to get around is to arrange to rent a car at one of the main towns or cities. Car rental gives the flexibility to include a number of great Irish towns and cities in your trip and allows you to choose an itinerary that suits you and your family. If you are bringing the whole family to Ireland, then the RoolaBoola children’s art festival should not be missed.