How can you help the voluntary Museum of Childhood Ireland?
Contact: info@museumofchildhood.ie
Phone: +353 87 681 6760
Donations
Please donate to help secure a permanent home for the work of museumofchildhood.ie
Volunteering
We are also continuing to expand our voluntary Diaspora teams. Wherever you are in the world do please get in touch with us!
Volunteering Areas
TY Year
Irish Language
Youth Voices Team (for children and teenagers)
Museum Internships
Fundraising Team
Marketing
Administration
Writers/ Bloggers
Artists
Crafters
Child Rights Activism
History Team Literature Team
Curatorial Team Collections Team
Education Team Engagement Team
Children’s Rights Team
Social Media Team members, Legal, website, admin etc
As a museum volunteer, you will not only gain valuable training, but be part of a global network where you will meet and work with other volunteers, museum staff, educators, professionals and scholars.
Have questions or ideas on other ways to contribute to the museum?
Wherever you are in the world do please get in touch with us: info@museumofchildhood.ie
Our wonderful Intern colleague in 2020, Hilary Hei Wei Kwan had this to say about her experience:
Some Internship Experiences 2020-2024
Hilary Kwan, a recent Bachelor of Arts (History & Anthropology) graduate from the University of Melbourne, Australia, completed an internship placement at the Museum of Childhood Ireland in 2020
Reflection from her Internship experience
I applied for the internship program because as a recent history and anthropology graduate with interests in museum work, I hoped to gain more practical skills within the sector. My dream job is definitely in a space similar to the Museum of Childhood Ireland. I have always hoped to work in a museum with a focus on social history. This internship placement was the perfect opportunity for me to experience different aspects of and management duties in the museum before committing myself to my post-graduate museum course. It was also my pleasure to work here as the childhood experience throughout history and i contemporary times is a topic that is also very close to my heart.
What are the main projects you worked on?
My main projects were analysing the museum’s social media channels and improving strategic marketing plans for the museum. Another main project for me was to re-organise the museum fundraising strategic plan and to research for future fundraising ideas. I also got to work on managing and editing the website content and layout, attending meetings and working on events and remotely on research projects.
How did you find working remotely on the projects?
Working remotely sounds complicated, but I was able to maintain good communication with my supervisor, who was always very supportive and helpful. A pro for working remotely is the flexibility in time when working on independent tasks. I had adequate time to complete research and writing tasks at my own pace.
Do you receive adequate mentoring?
Throughout the internship, I received ongoing kindness, guidance and support from my supervisor Majella (Museum Founder & Chairperson). Through our daily check-ins and weekly meetings, we would go through what I had completed and discuss new tasks over the next days or week. I received clear goal setting, ongoing feedback and positive support from my supervisor. It was very rewarding for me to see my work improving. I maintained a very good relationship with my supervisor throughout, and I felt very welcomed, valued and supported during our time working together.
Overall, the internship experience was very enriching for me, and the biggest takeaways from the experience was a practical understanding of the various tasks within the museum and friendship. I look forward to taking the skills I gained and applying it to my future work in museums. Also, coming from an international background, it was fascinating for me to learn so much more about Irish childhoods-past to present, the culture of work in Ireland, and to be so welcomed in contributing my culture to to the museum.
It was a pleasure to work with the Museum of Childhood Ireland, to help with education, history and advocating for children’s voices in Ireland and around the globe. I highly recommend any students in a related field of study to participate!
Overall, it a very, very great experience and though I am now in Australia, I consider the museum team lifelong friends, and the subject matter close to my heart. I look forward to initiating projects in the future!
Hilary Hei Wai Kwan
Master of Cultural Materials Conservation
Oude Diane’s experience as an intern at MoCI in 2022
My experience at the museum of childhood Ireland was full of learning and putting into practice knowledge I’d acquired during my studies in France and in my Management Administration module in Paris. I had the chance to work on several online and in-person projects with the museum, working alongside director Majella McAllister. My internship experience was amazing, very pedagogical, very kind, and she always took time to explain everything beforehand and to include me in everything.
I felt able to take responsibility easily because of the inclusive atmosphere she created. She encouraged me to explore and take initiatives and therefore I felt very comfortable proposing my ideas. As a young person the Museum of Childhood Ireland gave me the opportunity to be listened to, and to have my ideas on the museum and other subjects taken seriously, and implemented.
It was a profoundly empowering experience. From learning, to making friends in the team and museum, to getting to meet so many people in other museums, schools, government departments, internationally renowned historians, writers and artists- I felt my confidence grow. And it was exciting, especially so when we received a gift of a wonderful 1850s doll house for the museum. Being behind the scenes at a moment like that was incredible!
Did I mention it was great fun? I’d urge other teenagers to get involved with the team at the Museum of Childhood Ireland. I’ve asked to return to them next summer again and for as many summers after that as they’ll have me! “
Oude Diane.
1.This is me! Seated front row, right hand side at a MoCI youth event in Dundalk, next to poet Chiamaka Enyi-Amadi, Alison Harvey CTCHC, The Heritage Council and Martin McElligott, Dundalk Business Improvement District.
2. Meeting Réne Böll in Dublin, a supporter of the MoCI
3. With the MoCI at a Cant/Gammon workshop by Mary McDonagh
Amy Clarke‘s experience as an Intern at the MoCI February 2024
My time as an intern at the museum.
I found from the get-go that the museum team was very approachable, friendly to volunteer with, and very helpful too. The response time to any questions was great and I never felt like I was being left out on my own. I always felt appreciated and part of the team.
The six week internship was an amazing experience that allowed me to gain valuable insights on the museum’s work, and through my work with them on the subject of childhood education in Ireland from the 1920s to the 1970s. I always had ample time to research and produce the blogs I worked on, and to receive feedback and help before publication.
As an intern I undertook the compelling task of delving into Ireland’s educational landscape from the 1920s to the 1970s. This journey not only provided a rich understanding of historical pedagogical practices but also illuminated the intricate tapestry of societal changes and educational policies that shaped Ireland’s path.
The internship offered a unique opportunity to unearth forgotten narratives and reveal the transformative power of education in shaping individual lives and societal norms. Through meticulous research and analysis, I navigated archival documents, educational materials, and personal accounts, piecing together a comprehensive narrative of Ireland’s educational journey.
Over the internship I witnessed the evolution of educational ideologies and methodologies over five pivotal decades. From the austere yet resilient educational practices of the 1920s, marked by the aftermath of the War of Independence and the establishment of the Irish Free State, to the progressive reforms of the 1970s, fuelled by social upheaval and a quest for equality, each era presented its own set of challenges and triumphs.
For me the internship fostered a deeper appreciation for the interplay between education and broader socio-political contexts. As I examined the impact of historical events such as World War II, the Irish Civil War, and the emergence of the welfare state on educational policies, it became evident that education was not merely a tool for imparting knowledge but also a catalyst for social change and nation-building. Furthermore, the internship facilitated meaningful engagement with diverse perspectives and voices within the community.
My internship with the Museum of Childhood Ireland was a transformative journey for me. It deepened my understanding of Ireland’s educational heritage and its enduring impact on society, by shedding light on the triumphs, challenges, and complexities of education from the 1920s to the 1970s. I hope it has helped to contribute a more nuanced understanding of Ireland’s past and inspire future generations to reflect on the transformative power of education.
Throughout my time with the Museum of Childhood Ireland I felt so supported iand appreciated in every way. I wouldn’t change anything about my internship, and I’d urge other students to get involved with this incredible museum, and the vitally important work they do.
I strongly recommended an internship with the Museum of Childhood Ireland to one of my fellow students in Maynooth, and I’m happy to say that he will begin shortly!
Amy studied History and Sociology in Maynooth University. She has been accepted to study for her Masters.