Tara's Palace | Museum of Childhood

Tara’s Palace

It is not widely known that Ireland has one of the world’s greatest doll’s palaces – Tara’s Palace in the Museum of Childhood in Powerscourt House And Gardens in Co. Wicklow..

Inspired by Sir Neville Wilkinson’s celebrated Titania’s Palace of 1907, Ron and Doreen McDonnell sought to recapture the spirit and purpose of Sir Neville, when they began the creation of their own masterpiece – Tara’s Palace in 1980.

Meticulously constructed, it has taken over a decade to complete and work is still ongoing. Designed and built to one-twelfth scale, it encapsulates the grandeur and elegance of Ireland’s three great 18th Century Mansions; Castletown House, Leinster House and Carton.

Paintings by leading Irish Artists and miniature furnishing masterpieces adorn the State Rooms and private apartments. The displays are augmented and supported by a collection of dolls, antique toys and other dolls houses, including “Portobello”, circa 1700, one of the earliest surviving dolls houses from the Collection of Vivien Green, together with a Dolls House from the family of Lady Wilde (Oscar’s Mother).

Festive Fun at Tara’s Palace

Tara’s Palace is a 22 room Doll’s Palace which took 20 years to build and show extraordinary craftsmanship. The Doll’s House is part of the ‘Museum of Childhood’, now located at Powerscourt House. Visitors to Tara’s Palace at Powerscourt can enjoy a Christmas Quiz throughout the season. Little ones will enjoy getting their faces painted with festive designs on Saturday December 3rd, 10th and 17th from 2-4 pm. Tara’s Palace have also introduced a new range of homemade Irish gifts to their Christmas shop, exclusive to the museum. Kiddies are also sure to love the children’s interactive room! Tara’s Palace donates any profits made to children’s charities. This Christmas, Tara’s Palace is donating its profits and raising money for the new children’s hospice run by the Children’s Sunshine Home and LauraLynn House

Tours Of Tara’s Palace

The tour visit of Tara’s Palace and Museum of Childhood usually takes 40 – 50 minutes. This provides sufficient time to see the Palace, historic dolls houses and displays. Up to 50 visitors can be comfortably accommodated at the same time.

Admission To Tara’s Palace

All admission fees go 100% without any deductions to children’s charities.

Family (2 adults and up to 3 children) €12
Adult €5
Senior/Student €4
Child (5 to 16) €3
Groups (20+) €3 per person
Under 5’s Free.

Tara’s Palace Opening Times

Monday – Saturday / 10.00 – 17.00
Sundays and Bank Holidays 12.00 – 17.00
Closed 25 and 26 December
Open for group bookings (10+) Phone: 01 274 8090 or email: [email protected]

Directions To Tara’s Palace in the Museum of Childhood

Dart to Bray & 185 bus to Enniskerry (from outside Dart station)
44C from City Centre (Townsend Street) to Enniskerry village (1.5 mile walk to Estate)
For timetable please phone Dublin Bus Tel: 01 873 4222