Discover The Ark at a Broadband Connection Point near you this summer!

This summer, with support from the Department of Rural and Community Development, The Ark is looking forward to sharing our work with children around the country via Broadband Connection Points.

BCP 2024 Duffy

Following the success of last summer’s digital offerings for BCPs, we are now excited to expand our offering to children and their grown-ups in areas with limited internet access via their local Broadband Connection Points.

Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) are public locations which have been selected to receive high-speed connectivity as part of the National Broadband Plan. The Broadband Connection Point (BCP) initiative has brought connectivity to almost 300 publicly available sites across the country, such as community centres, sports clubs and libraries. The Department of Rural and Community Development has developed projects in thematic areas , such as Arts and Culture, Digital Skills and Education and Remote Working, in partnership with key stakeholders, which are rolled out to suitable BCPs across the network to unlock the potential enabled by this connectivity.

The Ark's has been partnering with BCPs since an initial pilot project undertaken in 2021.

"The children were really engaged and we stayed on a bit longer to get fully finished. Thank you so much for giving us this opportunity!" - Nicola from Boher Community Development Group

Now in summer 2024, Broadband Connection Points have the opportunity to sign up for two different LIVE online workshops – creative storytelling with Luke Casserly and visual arts with Duffy Mooney-Sheppard – or to stream two different productions – The Making of Mollie by Anna Carey and The Race by Marc Brew. Details of these events can be found below. Confirmed live workshops or screenings will be listed below so if there is a location confirmed near you, get in touch with your local BCP centre to join in with the fun.

If you don't see your local Broadband Connection Point on the list, why not get in touch with them to see if they can set up a workshop or screening. Find your nearest BCP here.

LIVE ONLINE WORKSHOPS - Dates available across August 2024

Visual Art Workshops with Duffy Mooney Sheppard

For children aged 5–12 and their grown-ups
Duration: 60 minutes
There are two different workshops available, centres can book one or both of them.

Creative Writing Workshops with Luke Casserly

For children aged 7–12 and their grown-ups
Duration: 60 minutes
The workshop can be facilitated as a one-off workshop or as a two-part session.

Confirmed Workshops:

  • Boher BCP
    There was an Old Woman who Swallowed a Fly - 6 August @ 12.15
    The Illustrated Animal & the Flood - 7 August @ 12.15
    Ecodoodles Part 1 - 13 August @ 12.15
    Ecodoodles Part 2 - 14 August @ 12.15
  • Inishbofin BCP
    Ecodoodles Part 1 - 13 August @ 14.00
    Ecodoodles Part 2 - 14 August @ 14.00
    There was an Old Woman Who Swallowed a Fly - 20 August @ 14.00
    The Illustrated Animal and The Flood - 21 August @ 14.00
  • Latton Childcare
    There was an Old Woman Who Swallowed a Fly - 14 August @ 10.15
    The Illustrated Animal and The Flood - 15 August @ 10.15



Shows Available for Streaming from Monday 1 July to Sunday 25 August 2024

The Making of Mollie | Play | For Ages 8 +

In 1912 Dublin, 14-year-old Mollie Carberry’s life is pretty boring. That is, until she discovers that her older sister Phyllis is a secret suffragette! Mollie starts to realise just how unfair the world can be - and she wants to do something about it. When Mollie and her friend Nora get involved in the movement, they must face an important question: just how far should a girl go for her beliefs?

A bold new adaption for children aged 8+ by author Anna Carey of her first historical novel, The Making of Mollie. Commissioned and produced by The Ark in 2024.

Confirmed BCP screenings of The Making of Mollie:

  • Saturday 13 July @ 6.30pm - Boher BC
  • Saturday 13 July @ 5.50pm - Drumhowan BCP
  • Friday 26 July @ 6.30pm - Tullycorbet Community Centre
  • Thursday 8 August @ 2pm - Inishbofin
  • Sunday 11 August @ 4pm - Aghanlish Resource Centre (Postponed, new date TBA)
  • Thursday 22 August @ 1.30pm - Glenasmole Community Centre

The Race | Dance Show | For Ages 4 +

From acclaimed international choreographer, Marc Brew, The Race entwines three of Aesop's Fables to create a fun, interactive and colourful world of animals, puppets, theatre and movement. Cheer with our cast of animals as the Tortoise and the Hare set off for the finish line, join the Grasshopper in gazing with fascination as the Ants collect food for the winter ahead, and root for the little Mouse as she faces down the mighty Lion! Watch as their journeys unfold through beautiful dance and share in the lessons they learn along the way.

Commissioned and produced by The Ark, Dublin Dance Festival and Arts & Disability Ireland in 2023.

Confirmed BCP screenings of The Race:

  • Saturday 13 July @ 5.50pm - Drumhowan BCP
  • Thursday 8 August @ 2pm - Inishbofin
  • Sunday 11 August @ 4pm - Aghanlish Resource Centre (Postponed, new date TBA)