Unique Gifts – Handmade Doll Houses now available to purchase at Tara’s Palace Museum of Childhood

The Handmade Dolls House company, based in County Wicklow, make uniquely designed doll houses using a long standing family tradition. Over 120 pieces of timber are used to construct a single doll’s house.

Customers can choose from a number of standard doll house models such as Apple Cottage, Acorn Cottage, Cherry Cottage and Plum Cottage. A more detailed, Deluxe House is also available that includes a range of beautifully crafted items including:

Solid mahogany skirting boards
Fireplace
Solid ash staircase
Individual nameplate
Choice of colours for the front of the house.

Other special requirements can be catered for at an extra cost.

Prices start from €199 for the standard house. As the houses are handmade a €50 deposit is required at the time of ordering.
Orders can be placed by calling the museum on 01 2748090.

 

Open Day for Tour Operators – April 10th, 12 to 4pm

  OPEN DAY AT
TARA’S PALACE
MUSEUM OF CHILDHOOD
AT POWERSCOURT HOUSE
ENNISKERRY
CO. WICKLOW

  Tara’s Palace is having an Open Day on Thursday April the 10^th from 12pm till 4pm and we would be delighted if you could come and experience the museum for yourself.

The museum is located in the main house and is spread over three rooms. Inside you will see antique toys, miniature works of art and dolls houses dating back 300 years. The highlight of the exhibition is Tara’s Palace which is a 22 room Palace, undoubtedly one of the world’s most magnificent dolls palaces. It has been constructed by some of Irelands finest craftsmen and took over two decades to finish completely. The museum is of great benefit educationally to children. They will get the opportunity to learn about old toys and to see the workings of an 18^th century mansion. There is a museum quiz which young and old enjoy, and an interactive room for children. We also run many family events throughout the year.

The Tara’s Palace Trust is a registered charity. The museum is run by volunteers and all profits go to children’s charities in Ireland.

We would love to see you at our open day and tell you more about our wonderful exhibition and answer any questions you may have. You can find more information on our website www.taraspalace.ie

The museum is suitable for all ages and few people fail to be awestruck by it.

Regrets only to alawless307@yahoo.com

Through the Keyhole, a Dallas Institution, Closes Forever

Through-The-Keyhole, Dallas’ oldest miniature store, has been owned and operated by the mother/daughter team of Dorothy Harrison and Gayle Harrison Pompa since 1974.

Gayle and her mother, Dorothy (who is in her 90s), do not want to close but have been losing money every month for a long time now. With the availability of miniatures online and fewer little girls interested in owning a traditional old dollhouse, they just can’t stay open. Read the full article here

It is so sad to see small niche businesses such as these forced to close due to the changing world in which we live.

Irish master craftsman builds traditional furniture

In a small Chicago woodshop, Michael Walton specializes in furniture restoration, antique restoration and miniatures.

“It’s St. Patrick’s Day and lots of folks – especially here in Chicago – are celebrating the manifold contributions of the Irish. So let me chip in. Here’s someone new to add to that magnificent collection of Irish talent that has landed on our shores. Someone I met via serendipity.” Full report here
Report by Linda Paul for WBEZ 91.5FM Chicago

St. Patrick’s Day 2014

“St Patrick’s Day 2014 #IrelandInspires” is an animated postcard showcasing Ireland’s strengths and highlighting the qualities that make this country a great place to be.

If you’re proud to be Irish make sure you share this video! #IrelandInspires

It will be played for audiences gathering at Irish Embassy events across the globe this St Patrick’s Day (17 March 2014) and is tailored to appeal to visitors, investors and those attracted to the type of energy, creativity and potential which this nation can offer.

“St. Patrick’s Day 2014 #Ireland Inspires” was developed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Ireland and Fáilte Ireland to celebrate Ireland’s national day.

“St Patrick’s Day 2014 #IrelandInspires” is an animated postcard showcasing Ireland’s strengths and highlighting the qualities that make this country a great place to be.

If you’re proud to be Irish make sure you share this video! #IrelandInspires

It will be played for audiences gathering at Irish Embassy events across the globe this St Patrick’s Day (17 March 2014) and is tailored to appeal to visitors, investors and those attracted to the type of energy, creativity and potential which this nation can offer.

“St. Patrick’s Day 2014 #Ireland Inspires” was developed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Ireland and Fáilte Ireland to celebrate Ireland’s national day.

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New Arrivals at Tara’s Palace Museum of Childhood

We have received a donation of 3 pedal cars from the Toys of Yesterday Collectors Association. The cars were made by Hughie McGrath (now deceased) in his workshop in Monkstown. The pedal cars are made from recycled materials. A mechanic and welder by trade, Hughie built his first pedal car at the age of twelve. Hughie’s wife Mary deserves lots of credit as well as she spent many an hour polishing the brass! The Rolls Royce, Bugatti and Hispano Suiza pedal cars are on display now at Tara’s Palace Museum of Childhood!

Harp Recital at Tara’s Palace for Culture Night 2012

Rachael Duffy will be in the museum this Friday 21st September to play the harp between 11am and 12noon. Here is a link to a photo of her recent performance at the museum. http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151163729631294&set=a.10151163729361294.496585.109471921293&type=1&theater

Why does the Harp feature so widely as a symbol in Ireland?

The harp has been used as a political symbol of Ireland for centuries. Its origin is lost in the mists of time, but from the evidence of the ancient oral and written literature, it has been present in one form or another since at least the 6th century or before. According to tradition, Brian Boru, High King of Ireland, who died in 1014 at the battle of Clontarf, played the harp.

Since 1922 the government of Ireland has used a left-facing harp as its state symbol. The harp emblem is used on official state seals and documents including the Irish Passport and has appeared on Irish coinage from the Middle Ages to the current Irish imprints of Euro coins. The harp is also traditionally used on the flag of Leinster.

The harp is also used extensively as a corporate logo, for both private and government organisations. For instance Guinness uses a harp facing right on its labels and less detailed than the version used on the state arms. Relatively new organisations also use the harp, but often modified to reflect a theme relevant to their organisation, for instance; Irish airline Ryanair uses a modified harp, and the Irish State Examinations Commission uses it with an educational theme. The Police Service of Northern Ireland and Queen’s University of Belfast use the harp as part of their identity.

Miniature books are big collector items

Excerpts from an article by the Somerville News http://www.thesomervillenews.com/archives/26182

While miniature books are by their very definition are smaller than other books, they are every bit as collectible as their larger counterparts. In fact, collecting miniature books has become so popular that enthusiasts have even formed a Miniature Book Society.

Oftentimes people think they have a miniature book in their collection, but it is really just a small book, and not a true miniature. Usually, to be considered miniature a book must measure less than three inches, which is why some miniature books do come with a magnifying glass. Here are some examples from the Tara’s Palace Library

It isn’t just book collectors who are interested in miniature books, but miniaturists too. Collectors of all things miniature use miniature books to furnish dollhouse libraries.

Throughout the 1400s and 1500s books were very expensive luxury items that were affordable only to the wealthy, privileged few. Because books had to be portable, mostly for students and people on pilgrimages, they began making them smaller. Some of the books measured four or five inches, but most were even smaller than that. In the 1700s and 1800s, miniatures began to be made mostly as novelty items. They used less paper and they were made in order to be carried or to be used as gifts.

Making a miniature book is very hard work because of the detail involved, but when it’s done right, the result can be truly amazing. Today there are still people who design wonderful miniatures.

CALLING ALL DOLL HOUSE AND MINIATURE ENTHUSIASTS!

THE GATHERING IRELAND 2013

Next year is the year of the Gathering in Ireland.

Whether you’re Irish born, Irish bred or Irish in spirit, get involved and celebrate a year of Irish connections. The Gathering Ireland 2013 is about planning special events or Gatherings, driven by groups and communities of every kind that will highlight what is great about that community and Ireland as a whole.

Tara’s Palace is Ireland’s largest period doll house. It contains 24 stunning rooms, furnished in the Georgian tradition and featuring pieces by Fred Early, Michael Walton and John Hodgson to name a few. Tara’s Palace is part of the Museum of Childhood which features antique toys and dolls, historic childhood bygones and doll houses dating back 300 years.

Tara’s Palace Museum of Childhood www.taraspalace.ie is inviting Doll House and Miniature Enthusiast individuals or clubs from where ever you are in the world to Gather at the museum to share your knowledge and experiences and to celebrate all things miniature!

Tara’s Palace Museum of Childhood is situated on the Powerscourt Estate www.powerscourt.ie The museum is spread over three rooms in the magnificent Powerscourt House. The Estate features award winning gardens, an 18 hole golf course and the 5 star Ritz Carlton Hotel.

Gathering events will take place every day of every month of the year, in every county. We would hope to organise our Gathering for May 17th 2013 (date is flexible). If you would be interested in attending can you contact me, Nicola O’Connor at marketing@taraspalace.ie or call +353 86 8607068.

An Exhibition of Model Cars and Fire Engines at Tara’s Palace Museum of Childhood

Our very own volunteer Keith Dungan has given, on loan, his prized collection of model Fire Engines and some model cars including a Ferrari Testa Rossa and an E type Jaguar. The models are of European and American emergency vehicles made by Dinky, Corgi and Matchbox. Some are in mint condition, others have served their time in a playroom and show it! Scales vary from 1:72 to 1:43.

All of these models are now on show at the museum located on the first floor of Powerscourt House, Enniskerry, Co. Wicklow.

Future exhibitions by Keith will feature:

American cars/gas guzzlers

Public transport (buses & trams)

Cars of the 1950’s/1960’s/’1970’s

Military vehicles

Trade vehicles of the early/mid 20th century

Railway models (incl. the 00 gauge Hornby engines)

Sports cars of the 20th century/Jaguar/Lotus etc.

Minis/Beetles/Triumphs/Fords etc.

MG’s

Steam vehicles

Details of future exhibitions can be found on www.taraspalace.ie