TO SCHOOL THROUGH THE 1950s Éanna Brophy My first school was Belgrove School in Clontarf, or, to give its official title, Scoil Eoin Baiste. It was only about a quarter of a mile from our house, so from a very early age I could walk there unaccompanied, unless an older brother or sister was heading… Continue reading When We Were Kings and Queens of the Road: Éanna Brophy
Tag: stories
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
Snapshots of our Childhood
Ian Ford, Bangor, 1940s Danielle with her Grandpa and her twin sister in his home A Wartime Childhood in Bangor, NI I was the first in my family to move to Northern Ireland in over 80 years. The last time had been in 1941, when my grandfather, Ian, had moved to Bangor as a bright-eyed… Continue reading Snapshots of our Childhood
3.Small spaces, Local stories
Seachtain Náisiúnta na hOidhreachta National Heritage Week 2024 invites you to explore the connections, routes and networks that link our communities. A Heritage Week online, and in-person display at Bank of Ireland, Dúnlaoghaire, from the Museum of Childhood Ireland, Músaem Óige na hÉireann. We have selected seven local people’s stories of childhood to highlight for… Continue reading 3.Small spaces, Local stories
John’s Fairy Apples
From ‘Walking With Ghosts’ by Ann Wingfield Donated by Ann Wingfield to the Museum of Childhood Ireland 2024
Sídh-Scéilíní don aos óg
By Pádraig Ó Bróithe Irish language children’s book published in Baile Átha Cliath : Oifig an tSoláthair 2nd edition 1946 “Sídh-scéilíní don aos óg” translates to “Fairy Tales for the Young” in Irish. It refers to a collection of Irish fairy stories, specifically aimed at a younger audience, published by Pádraig Ó Bróithe. The collection was originally published… Continue reading Sídh-Scéilíní don aos óg
Wind Fairies Again
Book by Elizabeth Brennan* Illustrations, Naomi Heather** Published by Metropolitan Publishing Co Ltd, Dublin (32 Batchelor’s Walk) Dublin, and London. Printed by Hely’s Dublin. Hardback copy. There are 4 colour illustrations, and 38 line drawings in Wind Fairies Again See also : To Hilary from Daddy 22 July 1949 Hilary Tattan’s Book *Elizabeth Brennan (1907-1995)… Continue reading Wind Fairies Again
Ukrainian Stories and Legends in English
Unburn bush Storyteller: Matthew, age 10 Listen here: It was a long time ago. Two kings – Polish and Hungarian – united their armies and approached the wall of the famous Ukranian city of Dorohobuzh. A letter was handed over to the defenders of the city. They offered to open the city gates without a… Continue reading Ukrainian Stories and Legends in English