The Grubb family Cashel, Co Tipperary
Toys belonging to Clodagh Grubb born 1938. Clodagh grew up on a farm eight miles from Cashel, Co Tipperary, in a Quaker family.
“As it was war time* there were no metal toys available in the shops. Normally these came from England, Germany and Japan – but they needed all their metal for their war machines. My father Sam Grubb, besides being a farmer, was very good with his hands and had a good workshop for fixing things for both the farm and house, and it was where he also made us toys.”
- 2nd World War
Railway Engine, open trucks and a guards van: Great Southern Railway
“The railway train was made out of bully beef tins, scraps of wood and wheel devices made out of old curtain rails. As it was a steam engine, it had a chimney. Goods were carried often in open trucks. The last closed truck was the guards van, where the train guard had parcels, boxes etc. GS painted on its side indicates it was on the Great Southern Railway, Dublin to Cork, line.”
Ocean Liner
Made from a Bully beef tin, wood off-cuts, and scrap metal by Sam Grubb for his children.
Aeroplane
“Again made from bully beef tins, scraps of wood, bottle tops, etc. Originally it had a propeller but this got broken years ago. My little brother started making a cab for the pilot, but never finished it. The toy is not usually given to children to play with anymore – too dangerous if someone waves it about!”
Donated by Clodagh Grubb to the Museum of Childhood Ireland, Músaem Óige na hÉireann October 2024
Calico doll
The calico doll was made by Clodagh Grubb from calico stuffed with sheep’s wool. Face was painted on with oil paint. Interestingly the proportions are for an adult body not a baby as it was easier to make clothes for.
The doll is just like the ones my mother made for me in the 1940s but is in fact one I made it for Julie-Rose ( Julie-Rose McCormick the Puppeteer) my daughter, in the 1960s. She subsequently gave it leggings and a top!
Wooden doll bed
Donated to the Museum of Childhood Ireland, Músaem Óige na hÉireann October 2024
“The Toy bed is a copy of a typical bed we had in the 40s. Made from wire, and wood scraps by my father and the original pillow made by my mother from recycled embroidery and and the edging from an old pillow case. It was originally filled with sheep’s wool gathered off briars in the fields and washed. It used to have a very similar mattress, sheets and a blanket made from rag stitch. “
Linen doll pillow
Sketches by Clodagh
Because there was no TV in those days and due to living on an isolated farm, we were used to making things ourselves, whether dolls house furniture, doll clothing, or building tree houses etc.
Horse on wheels
“McInerney’s had a petrol pump on the Main Street in Cashel. When the war* came there was only petrol for doctors, vets and priests. As there was no work on cars for mechanics they fixed bikes and made toys. After the war they still had the garage, but then bigger garages started to open up. They are still on the Main Street but 3 doors down and specialise in bikes, again the new green transport!” Clodagh Grubb.
- 2nd World War
Nuttall-Smith horse and cart
Donated to the Museum of Childhood Ireland, Músaem Óige na hÉireann October 2024
My father and a friend named Nuttall-Smith, also from Tipperary, went to work in S. Africa in the 1920s. Returning in the 30s, they had planned to set up a toy making business together in Dublin. Unfortunately my father’s mother became unwell and he had to go to England. ‘Nutty’ ran his toy making business and exhibited at the Spring Show, and the Horse Show for years. (He also taught wood work)
Nutall-Smith lived in Killiney, possibly on St. George’s Avenue. If you have any further information on Nuttall-Smith we’d love to hear from you at info@museumofchildhood.ie
This horse and cart was bought from him. We also had a Traveller’s Covered wagon but that has been lost. We still have the brown/white pony that went with it. though.
Bricks, and brick puzzles like these were very popular in my childhood.
And of course books…
Make-Do books like this one:
…and children’s editions of books such as Uncle Tom’s Cabin, by Harriet Beecher Stowe
Card games were popular
Blow Football
and even Glitter Flakes!
At the link below please find an interesting article from The Science Survey from the Bronx High School, on the Not-So-Glamorous History of Glitter, including in relation to child labour and environmental concerns.
https://twitter.com/museumofci/status/1853961427276427527?s=46