Riverbank Arts Centre Summer Camp - Newbridge

A week of proper arts immersion for children aged 5 to 12, run by one of the Midlands’ most respected arts venues. Riverbank Arts Centre has been drawing families to Main Street in Newbridge for years, and its summer camp programme is the kind of thing that turns a child who “isn’t into art” into one who absolutely is. The camps run across July and August 2026, and children can attend one week or several - each week stands on its own.

What to expect

Campers work alongside professional artists and theatre practitioners across four disciplines: theatre, music, visual arts, and broader creative activities. The day is structured but not rigid - children move between making, performing, and collaborating, with the confidence-building baked quietly into the process rather than announced.

The camps split into two age groups (5 to 8 years and 9 to 12 years), which means the work is pitched at the right level. Older children get to push further into ensemble theatre and more complex visual projects; younger ones get the energy and play-based foundation. Each week ends with a showcase - a chance for campers to share what they have made with parents and family.

Daily hours run from 10:00am to 2:00pm, with optional extended care available for families who need it. Children should bring a packed lunch and wear clothes they can move in freely. Camps fill early, so it is worth booking well before July arrives.

Riverbank itself is a multidisciplinary venue hosting over 300 live events a year, with a dedicated children’s gallery and a genuine track record in youth arts. This is not a box-ticking school-holiday filler - it is run by people who work with artists professionally throughout the year.

Getting there

Newbridge is straightforward to reach. By car, it sits just off the M7 motorway, roughly 35 to 40 minutes from Dublin city centre - take junction 11 (Newbridge South) or junction 12 (Newbridge North) and follow signs into the town. The arts centre is on Main Street in the town centre, which is compact and walkable from wherever you park. Paid parking is available in the town.

By rail, Newbridge is on the Dublin Heuston to Portlaoise commuter line, with trains running regularly throughout the day. The station is a short walk from Main Street. Bus Eireann and Dublin Coach also serve the town from Dublin and surrounding areas.

While you’re in Newbridge

The town has a good range of cafes and shops along and around Main Street, and the River Liffey runs close to the centre - a pleasant spot to walk before or after camp drop-off. There is more to see in Newbridge and across Co. Kildare.

Good to know

• Camps run throughout July and August 2026, starting 1 July; each week begins at 10:00am
• Age groups: 5 to 8 years and 9 to 12 years (separate groups)
• Daily hours: 10:00am to 2:00pm, with optional extended care
• Price: from €120 per week
• Book at riverbank.ie/summer-camps - early booking recommended as places go quickly
• Bring a packed lunch; no lunch provided on site
• Wear comfortable clothes suitable for movement and messy making
• Children can attend one week or multiple weeks across the summer