Seminar on the Participation of Children and Young People in Decision-Making in Ireland, May 7th, 2025

The Museum of Childhood were lucky enough to be invited to the Seminar on the Participation of Children and Young People in Decision-Making in Ireland. The seminar was held in the office building that holds the Department of Children, Disability and Equality (DCDE), formerly the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. This event… Continue reading Seminar on the Participation of Children and Young People in Decision-Making in Ireland, May 7th, 2025

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

Why We Don’t Dream Like That: Rethinking Childhood and Fantasy in India

By Dr Supriya Baijal, Museum of Childhood Ireland’s Literature and Media Team member Introduction Growing up in India, I never stumbled upon enchanted wardrobes or magical portals in the books I read. Instead, I found lively fables, moral lessons, and clever folk tales—often featuring talking animals, wily tricksters, or noble kings. Stories like those from… Continue reading Why We Don’t Dream Like That: Rethinking Childhood and Fantasy in India

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

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

St. Patrick’s Day,  Lá Fheile Padraig  2025

A celebration of childhood, creativity, and community spirit! Today the Museum of Childhood Ireland / Músaem Óige na hÉireann, took part in the 2025 Dún Laoghaire – Rathdown St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Our 100 strong team walked with the museum’s art/crafts group ‘Tír na nÓg’s, intergenerational, ‘Land and Sea; Celebrate your locality’ (using sustainable materials)… Continue reading St. Patrick’s Day,  Lá Fheile Padraig  2025

World Book Day 2025!

Happy World Book Day 2025! The theme of this year is Read Your Way. Here at the Children’s Rights Team of the Museum of Childhood Ireland, we think this ties into a really important right that all children on this island have. Article 30 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child… Continue reading World Book Day 2025!