Exhibition: My Father’s Dragon 6 Jun - 1 Aug 2026
An exhibition for all the family to journey into the magical world of My Father's Dragon.
Step into a world of hand drawn animation and get a glimpse of the work involved in creating My Father’s Dragon.
A collaboration between the Butler Gallery and five-time Oscar-nominated animation studio Cartoon Saloon, this self-guided exhibition experience explores the animated world of the film My Father’s Dragon, directed by Nora Twomey. It is the tale of a boy (Elmer) who steals away from home to fantastical lands where he rescues a dragon (Boris) and they become best friends. Even though the book was written a long time ago, the problems faced by Elmer still connect with readers.
As you wander through the exhibition, you'll see original art, core working drawings and backgrounds from the film, and learn some of the methods and techniques the animators used to bring the story of My Father’s Dragon to life.
Funded by Screen Ireland.
Our workshop programme...
Visual Arts Workshops: Creatures of Shadow Island
Five-Day Summer Camps: Dragon Heroes Animation
About Cartoon Saloon
Cartoon Saloon is a Kilkenny-based animation company responsible for animation films and TV shows such as The Secret of Kells, Song of the Sea, Puffin Rock and Skunk Fu. Cartoon Saloon is a four-time Academy Award®, Golden Globe®, BAFTA and Emmy nominated animation studio formed by Paul Young, Tomm Moore and Nora Twomey. From award-winning shorts to feature films and TV series, Cartoon Saloon has carved a special place in the international animation industry.
Make a Day of it in Temple Bar
Our friends at Irish Film Institute are screening My Father's Dragon. Why not take a trip to the cinema and then come and learn how the film was made here at The Ark - and create your own art of course!
- 6 June @ 12.00pm
- 27 June @ 11.00am
- 8 July @ 12.30pm
- 30 July @ 12.30pm
Check out the calendar
For any box with the Unicorn in it - we're open!
For any box with the IFI logo in it - there is a screening of My Father's Dragon in the IFI!
