Nuacht

Nuacht | 16 Meitheamh 2025

Summer Workshops and Community Celebration Events in DCC Sports Centres

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Take part in creative activities and events in Sport and Recreation Centres across Dublin this summer.

At Irishtown Sports & Fitness Centre visual artist in residence Sharon Kelly ran art workshops, coffee mornings and walk and sketch tours of Ringsend Park. She also developed and had installed a piece of wall art that depict the wording of suggestions by the gym users of the centre during her residency.

View the full programme at Irishtown Sports & Fitness Centre below.

At Ballybough Youth, Community and Fitness Centre, Dublin 3 artist in residence Siobhán O’Callaghan hosted a drop-in Art and Music Celebration on Thursday 24 July. There were workshops, live music and tea and cake to be enjoyed.

View the full programme at Ballybough Youth, Community and Fitness Centre below.

At Poppintree Community Sports Centre, Dublin 11 a new mural, new art room and new astro turf pitch was launched at the Community Art and Sport Launch on Saturday 19 July with visual artist in residence Mark Joyce. Visitors were able to try out art workshops, have a go at badminton and bowls, and take a tour of your community sports centre. Thanks to all the Councillors, especially Cllr Alison Fields representing the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Centre staff, performers and members of the community who came along on the day.

View the full programme at Poppintree Community Sports Centre below
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At Bluebell Recreation Centre, Dublin 12, dance artist in residence Justine Doswell held a Bluebell Community Celebration on 5 July, an afternoon of dance, music and games to celebrate the community spirit and creativity of Bluebell and its neighbouring areas. Including performances by the Diamond Twirlers and local music group The Bluebell Brothers, dance workshops, music bingo, and free food and refreshments. Justine also runs weekly beginner-friendly dance workshops on Thursdays at 6.30pm.

View the full programme at Bluebell Recreation Centre below
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The Creative Residency in Sport & Recreation Centres 2024-25 is a partnership between Dublin City Council Sports Section and Dublin City Council Culture Company. The residency is an opportunity to try out ideas, develop and share new ways of working, and facilitate the introduction of new audiences to Dublin’s sports and cultural offer.

Please note:
The nature of the Residencies mean that workshops and events may be subject to change, so please check back regularly as the page will be updated whenever necessary.

For more details contact Evan Musgrave on neighbourhood@dublincitycouncilculturecompany.ie or 083 010 5287

Moving | Feeling at Irishtown Sports & Fitness Centre, Dublin 4

Sharon Kelly, a visual and video-based artist who was based in Irishtown Sports & Fitness Centre, created Moving | Feeling, a vinyl decal text on wall piece to mark the culmination her residency in August. These words were offered anonymously by users of the gym in response to prompts about what exercise means to them. Feedback was sought on different wording and composition, and the preferred text represents affirmations that echo back for all users of the space, offering encouragement and motivation.

She has also worked with Ringsend Girl Guides, Neurodiverse Irishtown, Ringsend & Pearse Street group and ALONE, a health and social support charity for older people.

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Creative Coffee Morning
Friday 20th June, drop in any time between 10.30 am and 12.30 pm

Join Artist in Residence Sharon Kelly for a free hot drink and a chat and have a go at making some art if you wish. Suitable for all ages but children must be accompanied by an adult.

No booking required.

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Gasworks: Stories & Memories
Friday 27th June, 10.30 am to 12 pm

Explore the history of the South Lotts Gasworks with Artist in Residence, Sharon Kelly. If you have historical information or personal stories to share, we'd love to hear it! Join to discuss the history of this local iconic building with free hot drinks and biscuits. No booking required.

How to find us

Irishtown Sports & Fitness Centre, Ringsend, Dublin 4, D04 KN77.
Buses 47, C1 or C2 via city centre, 6 minute walk.

For more details contact Evan Musgrave on neighbourhood@dublincitycouncilculturecompany.ie or 083 010 5287

Arts and Crafts in Ballybough Youth, Community & Fitness Centre Dublin 3

Visual artist in residence Siobhán O’Callaghan has developed a programme of regular drop-in arts and craft workshops. She is also working with the Tuesday Club seniors group based nearby in Fairview, and youth groups HAY Foróige and Crosscare Ballybough Youth Service to deliver regular workshops and projects.

Siobhán will be running workshops at Ballybough Youth, Community & Fitness Centre until July the end 2025.

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Art and Music Celebration
Thursday 24 July

Join Artist in Residence Siobhán O’Callaghan for a free drop-in art workshop at Ballybough Community, Youth & Fitness Centre, with live music, tea and cake.

No booking required but places may be limited. Children are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult.

Please note, there will be photography and videography taking place during the event.


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Thursday Art Workshops
Thursday 17 July

Join artist in residence Siobhán O’Callaghan for free drop-in art workshops. Each workshop covers something different, so you can come to one workshop or as many as you like. They are suitable for all ages but children must be accompanied by an adult.

Drop in any time between 12.30 pm and 2.30 pm or 5.30 pm and 7 pm.


Free Walking Tour of Ballybough
Tuesday 1 July, 12 pm to 1.30 pm


Explore art, sport & heritage in this guided walking tour of Ballybough, led by tour guide Seán Deegan in collaboration with artist in residence Siobhán O'Callaghan. This tour will cover interesting sites to do with sporting history in the neighbourhood as well as looking at some public art along the way.

How to find us:

Ballybough Youth, Community & Fitness Centre, 49 Ballybough Road, D03 C995

123 bus to Clonliffe Avenue via City Centre or 6, 14, 15, 27 or 27a bus to East Wall Road (6 minute walk)

For more details contact Evan Musgrave on neighbourhood@dublincitycouncilculturecompany.ie or 083 010 5287

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Community Art and Sport Launch
Saturday 19 July, 1.30 pm to 3.00 pm

Join us for the launch of the new astroturf pitch, mural and art room at Poppintree Community Sports Centre.

On the day you can try out art workshops, have a go at bowls and badminton, and take a tour of your community sports centre.

Refreshments will be provided.

Check back here for more details.

Colour Connecting at Poppintree Community Sports Centre in Dublin 11

Visual artist Mark Joyce has worked with groups including Crosscare Ballymun Youth Block and the Aisling Project, and made a collaborative mural with a group from Poppintree Youth Project. He is developing a dedicated ‘Art Room’ in the centre, which will be decorated by community groups, and is also working with groups in the centre on designs for murals in the sports hall.

Mark will be running workshops at Poppintree Community Sports Centre until end of July 2025.

How to find us

Poppintree Community Sports Centre, Balbutcher Lane, Poppintree, Ballymun, Dublin 11, D11 E7WR.

19 bus to Gallaun Road, from Parnell Square or Old Airport Road. Alternatively route E2 goes to Poppintree Parade, 7 minute walk to the Community Centre.

For more details contact Evan Musgrave on neighbourhood@dublincitycouncilculturecompany.ie or 083 010 5287

Bluebell Community Celebration and dance workshops at Bluebell Recreation Centre, Dublin 12

Dance artist in residence Justine Doswell runs a series of regular workshops with four groups: weekly ‘Dance with Justine’ drop-in beginner-friendly social dance workshops; weekly chair exercise workshops with the CDP Ladies Group; fortnightly workshops with the Bluebell Sister Shed group; and three weekly workshops involving all students in Wayside National School.

Justine will be running workshops at Bluebell Recreation Centre until July 2025.

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Bluebell Community Celebration
Saturday 5 July, 2.00 pm to 5.00 pm

An afternoon of dance, music and games to celebrate the community spirit and creativity of Bluebell and its neighbouring areas.

Family-friendly free event

  • Performances by Diamond Twirlers

  • Music by The Bluebell Brothers

  • Dance workshops with artist in residence Justine Doswell

  • Hip Hop dancing featuring Casey Ronan (The Funktion Room/Raw Edge Crew)

  • Music Bingo

  • Free refreshments

'Dance with Justine' social dance workshop
Thursdays until 24 July, 6.30 pm; duration 1 hour

Join artist in residence Justine Doswell for free weekly dance sessions. Whether you're a seasoned dancer or a complete beginner, you can try something new! Together, we’ll try out lots of different styles and explore easy-to-learn moves. No prior experience of dance is needed and you can move at your own pace. You can join as many or as few workshops as you like. Suitable for all ages but children must be accompanied by an adult. No booking required.

How to find us

Bluebell Recreation Centre, 12 Bluebell Road, D12 RT27.

Buses 13, 68 and 69 to Muirfield drive via City Centre. Red Line Luas to Blackhorse or Bluebell.

For more details contact Evan Musgrave on neighbourhood@dublincitycouncilculturecompany.ie or 083 010 5287