The Office of Public Works (OPW) today launched the Dublin Castle Summer Events programme. Join us as we host world-class exhibitions, welcome a host of remarkable sand sculptures, family trail days and three amazing theatre productions. There are a wealth of events to suit every taste, details as follows:

Theatre Highlights:

"A Midsummer Night's Dream" - Dublin Castle Gardens, 23rd July - 3rd August at 7.30pm

To celebrate the 450th birthday of William Shakespeare, Mouth on Fire will stage their unique production of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' in the beautiful gardens of Dublin Castle. This will be a fully seated, all-weather event.

Tickets €6 available from www.entertainment.ie 

"World War I - The War of Words" - Chapel Royal, Dublin Castle, 28th July at 7.30pm

Music, poetry, song and propaganda from both sides of WWI, this 50 minute drama will inform, move, surprise and perhaps amuse.

Tickets €6 available from www.entertainment.ie 

"Deeds of Deceit - The Theft of the Irish Crown Jewels" - Chapel Royal, Dublin Castle, 3rd-6th July at 7.30pm

A new play by Matthew Ralli, presented by Speckintime, presenting the spectacular and unsolved  theft of the Irish Crown Jewels in a highly entertaining evening's theatre.

Tickets €6 available from www.entertainment.ie 

Exhibitions:

"Alec Cobbe: Designer, Collector, Connoisseur" - State Apartments, 6th June - 24th September daily.

Within the splendour of the State Apartments and in association with the V&A London, we are delighted to present an exhibition on the renowned collector, designer, artist and musician Alec Cobbe. The exhibition will be housed in the former bedroom suite of the State Apartments. Admission fee to State Apartments required.

"Ulysses Cylinders - by Dale Chihuly and Seaver Leslie with Flora C. Mace & Joey Kirkpatrick" - Dublin Castle Coach House, 19th June - 23rd August, daily.

The Irish public will have a unique opportunity to see the work of one of the world's most renowned artists, Dale Chihuly. Chihuly's vibrant coloured-glass installations and opulent chandeliers hang in many of the world's most prestigious museums and public spaces, including: The V&A Museum, London; the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York; and the Louvre in Paris.

"These Immovable Walls: Performing Power at Dublin Castle" - Dublin Castle, Friday 11th & Saturday 12th July

Dublin Castle will host an exhibition by seven national and international artists looking at the theme of power and its relationship to performance. The artists will perform in a variety of spaces, some not normally accessible to the public. Further details available at www.michellebrowne.net 

Family Highlights:

"Family Trails" - Weekends in July

On weekends in July, why not bring the family to the State Apartments and take the Family Trail challenge. Children who complete the trail can claim their Castle Certificate and prize from reception. Admission to the State Apartments is required.

"Children's Sand Play Area" - Upper Yard, 26th July - 23rd August

To coincide with the arrival of the sand sculptors, we will be inviting children to sculpt, design and build their own sand creations in our children's sand play area in the Upper Yard. Admission free.

"Sand Sculptures" - Upper Yard, Dublin Castle, from 19th July

OPW is delighted to welcome Daniel Doyle, Niall Magee and Alan Magee back to Dublin Castle to create their amazing sand sculptures. For over 15 years they have been participating in Sand, Snow, Ice & Fire sculpture festivals and symposiums all over the world, from Siberia to Singapore. Admission free.

For further information on all our Summer Events, please see www.dublincastle.ie 

Tickets for the 3 theatrical events will go on sale 23rd May

-Ends-

Note to Editors:

Dublin Castle, Dublin 2. Telephone No: +353 1 645 8813, Fax No: +353 1 679 7831

E-mail: dublincastle@opw.ie Website: www.dublincastle.ie 

Castle & Exhibition Opening Times:

Monday - Saturday: 09.45 - 16.45 Sunday and Public Holidays: 12.00 - 16.45

Guided/Self-Guided Tour Admission Fees:

Adult: €4.50, Student/Senior Citizen: €3.50, Child (over 7): €2.00

Dublin Castle can be closed at short notice for Government events.The State Apartments may be closed occasionally for State functions.

Facilities:

Tearooms, Craft shop, Toilets, toilet for visitors with disabilities.

Dublin Castle: Originally built in the 13th century on a site previously settled by the Vikings it functioned as a military fortress, a prison, treasury, courts of law and the seat of English Administration in Ireland for 700 years. Rebuilt in the 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th centuries, Dublin Castle is now used for important State receptions and Presidential Inaugurations. The State Apartments, Undercroft, Chapel Royal, Craft Shop, Heritage Centre and Restaurant are open to visitors.