The Ark A Cultural Centre For Children
The Ark is a dedicated cultural centre for children where they create opportunities for children, along with their families and friends or with their school, to discover and love art. Through their work with leading Irish and international artists, children can enjoy performances in their unique child-sized theatre, view engaging exhibitions or participate in creative workshops.
The Ark introduces children to the joy, wonder and challenge of the arts. The Ark, in 11a Eustace Street, Temple Bar, Dublin is a unique building designed specifically for them, children from 2 to 12 explore everything from theatre, music and literature to painting, sculpture and dance. They discover what it means to be an artist, from respected professional artists as they work with a diverse range of Irish and international artists to develop original, inspirational and playful programmes for children so that they can extend their imaginations and horizons.There’s no better way to feed hungry young imaginations, or to begin a lifelong journey through culture.
The Ark is a charitable orgainisation that has organized a number of projects for children who are particularly disadvantaged socio-economically. The Ark has also undertaken large outreach initiatives, where staff members work intimately with children from disadvantaged communities as well as children in a variety of health care environments.
The programme changes regularly and ranges across the arts. They present plays, exhibitions, workshops, festivals, concerts, readings, opera, dance, multimedia and much more. Many of these are participative and interactive.
The Ark offers programmes for primary schools during school time and for individual children and family groups at other times.
The Ark’s programmes are often interactive. There is making and doing as well as listening and viewing. The staff members at the Ark work closely with small groups of children to ensure high-quality and personally meaningful experiences.
The Ark Ages For Workshops
For children 2 to 12 years of age
Events On At The Ark
See What’s On at The Ark This Week – ARK EVENTS
The Ark Opening Times
The Ark booking office is open Monday-Friday from 10am-4:30pm, and one hour before performances and workshops on weekends and in the evening. Outside these times, you can book online. Opening hours for exhibitions, workshops and performances vary – please check relevant events.
Directions To The Ark
The Ark is located in the heart of Temple Bar, on Eustace Street, which links Dame Street, at the South Great George’s Street junction, and the Quays, at the Millennium Bridge.
Car
The Fleet Street (Temple Bar) Car Park is located just off Westmoreland Street. As soon as you enter Westmoreland Street turn left for Fleet Street and the car park is on the left (opposite The Morgan Hotel).
The Fleet Street car park rate for visitors to The Ark is €5 for 3 hours. Any additional hours are charged at €3.10 per hour. To avail of the parking rate please present your ticket stub from The Ark, along with your parking ticket, when paying at the cash desk prior to collecting your car.
To get from the car park to The Ark, walk straight down Fleet Street, through Temple Bar Square and East Essex Street. Then take a left turn onto Eustace Street. The Ark is located just up the street on the right.
Bus
Take any bus to Dame Street or College Green. Walk down Dame Street and turn onto Eustace Street. The Ark is located halfway down the street on the left.
Dame Street is serviced by the following Dublin Bus services: 16; 16a; 19; 19a; 121; 122; 123; 49; 49a; 50; 51b; 51c; 54a; 56a; 77; 77a; 78a; 150; 151.
College Green is serviced by the following Dublin Bus services: 16; 16a; 19; 19a; 121; 122 123; 4; 7; 10; 10a; 11; 11a; 19; 19a; 46a.
Dart
Get out at Tara Street Dart Station and walk up the Quays, turning left when you reach the Millennium Bridge onto Eustace Street. The Ark is located just up the street on the right.
Luas
Red Line Luas (from Tallaght/Connelly): Get out at the Jervis stop.
Walk down through the Italian Quarter and cross the Millennium Bridge. You are now at the end of Eustace Street. The Ark is just up the street on the right.
Green Line Luas (from Sandyford/St Stephen’s Green): Get out at Stephens Green stop.
Walk down through Grafton Street. Take the left turn just after Brown Thomas onto Wicklow Street to Great George’s Street. Turn right and walk to Dame Street. Cross the road and turn onto Eustace Street. The Ark is located halfway down the street on the left.
