Museum of Childhood Interview

Were you aware that Ireland has a Museum of Childhood? It does although it has no fixed abode, yet. It certainly has a clear mission, a committed team, and even a collection of items, despite a lack of a permanent location (volunteers and patrons are welcome!).

Many countries have a cultural institution that is dedicated to documenting and recognising children’s lives:

Edinburgh’s Museum of Childhood attracts over 200,000 visitors per year. London’s V&A Museum of Childhood (now Young V&A) has been a cornerstone of British cultural life since 1872. France, Germany, the Netherlands, the United States — all have prominent, permanent institutions devoted to children’s cultural heritage. Ireland has had a unique ‘first of its kind approach in the world’ volunteer-led, award-winning Museum of Childhood operating from a tiny office in a Museum volunteer’s home in Dún Laoghaire, for the last 9 years, and it is now seeking a permanent building in Ireland’s capital, to call home.

For Heritage Week, from 15th — 23rd August, at 3-5 pm daily, the MoCI is offering displays/exhibitions by the Collections Team at the Schoolhouse and Knox Hall, Monkstown, Co Dublin. All day on Saturday the 22nd of August, they are running The Keepsake Roadshow Event Day of Exhibitions, interactions and entertainments.

From 12.00 – 1 pm I’ll be in conversation with Sam Hayes and comic book artist/colourist book artist/colourist Tríona Farrell about art, the history of comics readership in Ireland, and working in the industry.

No doubt we’ll be chatting about our childhood love of comics! Do drop by if you’re in the neighbourhood.