BERNICE HARRISONON ALTERNATIVES TO MOVIES AND THE MALL
Artistic approach
While the best thing to do in the week between Christmas and the new year is to wrap up, put on your walking shoes and get out and about in the cold, fresh air as much as possible - if only to walk off all those selection boxes - there are some good indoor alternatives. The National Gallery of Ireland, on Merrion Square in Dublin (01-6615133, www.national gallery.ie), has extended its weekend child-friendly events to include the "twixmas" days. The Christmas Family Art Holiday takes place from tomorrow until Tuesday from 3pm to 4.30pm. Free, and designed for children for all ages, it consists of tutor-led art workshops, guided tours of the collection and live music.
• Make sure to get the new Children's Audio Guide to the gallery's permanent collection. Aimed at ages six to 10 years, it includes commentaries on some of the gallery's favourite children's paintings, such as Richard Moynan's Military Manoeuvresand Picasso's Still Life with a Mandolin. The guide also includes a multiple-choice quiz.
• Afterwards, cross the road to Merrion Square for a clamber around the playground. Don't leave before you've hunted out the colourful statue of Oscar Wilde reclining on the rock and take a look, directly across from the gallery, at the new granite-and-glass pyramid-shaped monument (pictured), which is a memorial to members of the Defence Forces who died in service of the State.