Rethinking Enid Blyton

Interview with Dr. Siobhán Morrissey Rethinking Enid Blyton I thank Dr Siobhán Morrissey, University of Galway, School of Education, for her participation in this interview on Enid Blyton, primary school reading, reading practices, AI, Irish Indigenous literature and for sharing her personal reading experiences. Siobhán Morrissey specialises in studies on Enid Blyton and is busy… Continue reading Rethinking Enid Blyton

Easter, An Cháisc at MCI

Easter Celebrations and the Museum of Childhood Ireland Eastertime in Ireland blends religious significance with cultural traditions that particularly resonate with children and recall memories for older citizens. The Museum of Childhood Ireland, Músaem Óige na hÉireann serves as a cultural institution that preserves and celebrates these childhood experiences and traditions. The Diceman, Grafton Street,… Continue reading Easter, An Cháisc at MCI

Tir na nÓg

Children’s Art, Craft, Create, Imagine and Play Workshops from the Museum of Childhood Ireland, Músaem Óige na hÉireann team The Museum of Childhood Ireland Músaem Óige na hÉireann (MCI) have hosted free children’s and intergenerational, art, craft, and play engagement workshops across Ireland, since early 2018, known as ‘Tír na nÓg. Throughout 2025 the work… Continue reading Tir na nÓg

Olivia Daly’s Harry Potter Doll House 2015

From an upcycled Barbie house “My daughter Olivia who was 12 years old, and I designed the Harry Potter* house together. She was a big Harry Potter fan for years. She listened to the audio books most nights (she has dyslexia but had a passion for a good story). The movies had also been watched… Continue reading Olivia Daly’s Harry Potter Doll House 2015

When We Were Kings And Queens of the Road

When we Were Kings and Queens of the Road A “Travel to School” project, from Robert Burns and the Museum of Childhood Ireland Músaem Óige na hÉireann Please click ‘When We Were Kings And Queens of the Road’ below to find the introduction. Scroll down to find the stories beneath the images. Happy reading! Original… Continue reading When We Were Kings And Queens of the Road

When We Were Kings and Queens of the Road: Santana Petrenaite

Childhood Photo of Santana aged 17, in Dublin My journey to school I left Lithuania and came to Ireland when I was seventeen years old. I didn’t plan it really, at least not in any formal sense, it was just my best friend and I seeking  a new adventure, a new chapter in our lives.… Continue reading When We Were Kings and Queens of the Road: Santana Petrenaite

Richard’s McDonald’s Happy Meal Toys

Toy Collecting — Richard’s McDonald’s Happy Meal Toys display at BOI, 101 George’s Street Upper, Dún Laoghaire “Growing up in Dublin, McDonald’s wasn’t a regular occurrence for me but more an occasional treat. The only other times I found myself there as a child was for a birthday party. It was very common ( particularly… Continue reading Richard’s McDonald’s Happy Meal Toys

When We Were Kings and Queens of the Road: Michael Farry

7 year old Michael Going to and from School 1952-1961 According to Google Maps it’s 1.9 kilometres and takes 25 minutes to walk from where we lived in the railway cottage, through Carrowleam and Shancough, to Rockfield National School. So our daily route to primary school was just over a mile. I think it usually… Continue reading When We Were Kings and Queens of the Road: Michael Farry

Beanie Babies: Treasures of Childhood in the Dorothy Hanley* Collection

Erin Named after the beautiful Emerald Isle This Beanie Baby will make you smile, A bit of luck, a pot of gold, Light up the faces, both young and old! Introduction The Museum of Childhood Ireland, Músaem Óige na hÉireann, proudly presents a selection of Beanie Babies, part of our Dorothy Hanley Collection. These small,… Continue reading Beanie Babies: Treasures of Childhood in the Dorothy Hanley* Collection

Snapshots of our Childhood

Áine Furey, 1970s Áine Furey and Gillian Power, dressing up in mum’s clothes and make up, 1970s Do you remember getting milk in school? Back in the 1970s Gillian Power and myself were absolutely the best of friends, from when we first met at the age of three, for the next almost fifty years. Gillian… Continue reading Snapshots of our Childhood