Following on from the hugely successful events of 2022, Dublin City Council Funtropolis is set to make a triumphant return to the city for 2023 and this time, it’s bigger and better than ever!
That’s two whole weekends of FREE family fun with a packed programme set to amaze and delight families from near and far, with children of all ages. Set in the very heart of the city with Georgian Dublin as the backdrop to each event, Dublin City Council Funtropolis will bring families together to celebrate the wonderful city and all that it has to offer.
Dublin City Council are also delighted to announce the launch of its new outdoor mobile child sensory unit which will be available for use at both Dublin City Council Funtropolis events and all suitable Dublin City Council outdoor events thereafter, for children who identify as neurodiverse.
With the approval of the Dublin City Council Arts, Culture, Leisure, and Recreation Strategic Policy Committee the unit was designed, developed and constructed from the proceeds of the Dublin Winter Lights ticketing fees in Merrion Square Park in 2022. Cllr Cat O’Driscoll (Chairperson Arts, Culture, Leisure and Recreation SPC) says “I am delighted to announce this new and inclusive initiative by our Dublin City Council Events Team, which will make our public events in the city more welcoming and attractive for all”.
Taking place on both the iconic Merrion Square Park and Mountjoy Square Park this summer, Dublin City Council Funtropolis is the perfect place to create some fantastic family memories and ignite imaginations with exciting performances, nail biting aerial exhibitions, groovy tunes, educational entertainment, delicious food & drink options and much, much more.
Music lovers can get their groove on at the bandstand and main stage with the musical stylings of an eclectic mix of performers like CÓRus Choir, Code of Behaviour and the one and only DJ Donal Dineen. Brand new for 2023, Dublin City Council Funtropolis will also be showcasing local music with up and coming talent from each area scheduled to perform in association with First Music Contact. The fantastic, multicultural collective that is Go Dance for Change will also be on hand with performances at both Merrion Square Park and Mountjoy Square Park to represent and showcase the range of diverse cultures that make the city the amazing place it is today.
Expect great entertainment from some well-known faces including Mark the Science Guy with his energetic display of his favourite experiments, Snatch & Grab, a two woman punk circus from Belfast and all woman cabaret act, Daring Dames. There will be tumbles galore from Death or Circus presented by Tumble Circus and an explosive acrobatic show for all ages at On Tish by Síolta Circus.
The hilarious tragicomedy Le pOpéra by Curious State is sure to be a hit with humour, live music and comic songs all built into the one act. For even more laughs, all female clown duo Bill & Fred will be presenting their hit show The Grannies while much loved Fanzini Productions will showcase their new masterpiece of dance & comedy Ballet Poulet. Grant Goldie will be amazing audiences with his very own projectile assault on gravity and make sure to keep an eye out for some wandering entertainment like Science on Stilts, Flea Circus, Snails Tale and Mr. H as you meander from stage to stage too. The Little Gem Puppet Show is sure to captivate younger guests who can also get their faces painted for free at the facepainting tent in the park. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, why not check out the range of delicious food & drink options located in the park, catering to different tastes and dietary requirements.
There’s plenty more to keep young minds busy throughout the day with GOAL providing regular one-hour Changemakers workshops including interactive storytelling sessions and performances. Younger children (ages 3 -6) are sure to love learning all things Samba at Ta Tum Tumwhile over at ReCreate, the slightly older gang can get involved in some collaborative art and games, learning how important it is to reuse and recycle as they play. Learn something new in the Science Zone or simply take some time out to get Zen in the DCC Sports and Wellbeing Zone complete with a wide variety of sports demos. The mobile library is also sure to be a big hit with book lovers young and old!
Funtropolis is an initiative of Dublin City Council who are going the extra mile to ensure that an engaging and enjoyable experience is created for everyone attending one of the events. As guests are being encouraged to make their way in on foot or via public transport, buggy storageand bike racks will be available for use and a drinking water station will be on site to ensure that everyone can refill their reusable bottles with ease throughout the day. A convenient baby feeding area has also been included while the removal of pitch fees for food and drink vendors will result in better value for all throughout.
In a move to lead by example in terms of sustainability, Dublin City Council have also implemented a no single plastic measure at both events and are reducing the Carbon Footprint of the festival by using only HVO generators throughout. The festival programme has also been thoughtfully curated to ensure that it is truly inclusive and representative of the people and cultures of modern Dublin.
For more information and updates, make sure to check out www.dublin.ie/funtropolis