Here’s a question to ask your smallies.

What would it be like to be a portrait hanging in an art gallery, watching centuries of art-lovers gaze at your image?

Cork kids (and the young-at-heart of all ages) will have the chance to step into one of Crawford Art Gallery’s iconic portraits this St Patrick’s Weekend, with carnival-style “Portrait Peek-a-Boo” boards in the gallery for visitors to enjoy.

The boards are based on two artworks from Crawford Art Gallery’s collection, Portrait of Dr Robert Emmet (c.1765) and Lilac and Laburnum – Portrait of Mabel Arnott (c.1898) and encourage play and imagination for all ages, in conjunction with the ALL EYES ON US portrait exhibition.

Photograph: Jed Niezgoda

Full programme of free events all weekend

If you’re strolling around town over the long weekend, there’s a jam-packed programme of free and family-friendly events showcasing Irish culture in Crawford Art Gallery, including an interactive St Patrick’s Day themed family trail, and tours in both Irish and English of ‘Great Irish Artists in the Collection.’

A trio of traditional Irish musicians will light up the gallery with jigs and reels all afternoon from 2.30pm on St Patrick’s Day, making Crawford Art Gallery the perfect place to continue post-parade festivities for locals and visiting guests alike.