Located at the famous Powerscourt House in Enniskerry County, Wicklow, Ireland the Tara’s Palace Museum of Childhood contains Ireland’s largest period dollhouse in addition to other miniatures and antique toys. The centerpiece of the Museum is the dollhouse known as Tara’s Palace.Tara’s Palace came into being when Ireland was unable to purchase the famous Titania’s Palace antique dollhouse which was built by Irish craftsmen. Titania’s Palace was eventually bought by Lego and made its way to Denmark where it now resides. A movement started to create a dollhouse that would remain in Ireland and would equal the beauty and detail that was part of Titania’s Palace.
A consortium of antique dealers, Irish craftsmen and tourism interests was created to build Tara’s Palace. Like its predecessor the dollhouse would be built in the 1:12 scale. One of the craftsman who created much of the miniature works of art for Titania’s Palace, Fred Early, had also crafted a collection of other fine miniature furniture. This collection came up at auction and the consortium was able to acquire it for the new dollhouse.
The new dollhouse which was based on the design of several Irish houses in the 18th century was completed with 22 interior rooms. Artisans and artists from around the world contributed their works of art to the dollhouse. Companies sponsored rooms and individuals contributed miniature antiques and local people made handcrafted pieces for the Palace.
Like Titania’s Palace, the Museum that houses Tara’s Palace gives all profits to Irish Children’s Charities. The Museum also houses a Miniature Christmas Shop and hundreds of exhibits for children and adults to enjoy.