The Trustees express their thanks to the many sponsors who through their generosity have supported their work and assisted children’s charities in Ireland, helped in the creation of Tara’s Palace or who have donated precious items for display in the Palace and Museum or offered their services.
Ron and Doreen Mc Donnell for their vision leading to the creation of Tara’s Palace and the Tara’s Palace Trust, for building the Palace and providing the furniture and artefacts displayed in many rooms of the Palace.
The staff of R Mc Donnell – Tommy Clancy, Paul Geoghegan, Con Lee, Michael Walton and John Forde, for their work in building Tara’s Palace and creating some of the magnificent furniture and fittings.
The Irish Antique Dealers Association, their past president Ron Mc Donnell and current George Stackpool and leading members Paul Johnston Snr., Paul and Jenny Johnston, Jane Williams and Gerry Kenyon who were part of the original group of supporters at the establishment of the project
Fingal County Council and its Parks Department for the magnificently restored Corn Store building in which the Palace and Museum of Childhood were housed in the courtyard of Malahide Castle for 10 years from 2000 to 2010.
Dublin Tourism and Bord Failte for assistance in promoting and developing the project from its inception and for financial assistance towards the purchase of the important Fred Early furniture.
The Board of Trustees expresses their thanks to the following who provided their professional services
Mr. Tony O Rourke of P.F. O Reilly & Co for drawing up the deed of Trust
Mr. John O Connell for his architectural services
Paul O’Toole for acting as Honorary Auditor and setting up the audit system
Phelan Prescott & Co – and partner Brian Gearaghty and auditor Ms Anna Wawroska.
for handling the audit and filing requirement of the Trust on a pro bono basis
Mrs. Mary Mehigan (Hilton) for her assistance to Ron and Doreen Mc Donnell in the early years of the project and for her continuing contribution as a Trustee
Ms Therese Lynch for her administration and secretarial work for Tara’s Palace and the Trust
Mr Philip Nixon for designing and creating the Tara’s Palace web site
Mr. John Dunne for his continuous and valuable assistance in different areas over many years
Dr James White founding trustee for several antique miniature watercolour paintings that decorate the principal rooms
The Hon. Desmond Guinness for the 18th century Print Room of the Palace and for a Turkey carpet
Mrs. Cottie O Reilly, founding Trustee for her valuable assistance in many areas, for the Prints for the print room
Mr Daithi Hanly founding trustee for important miniature books in the Palace Library
Lady Miranda Iveagh for the principal children’s nursery of the Palace
Mr. Jack Bennett founding Trustee and former chairman for a gypsy caravan that was repaired by Noel Nutley, for a pair of turned Irish peat buckets, for miniature logs and much other assistance
Ms Jane Williams founding trustee and Honorary President for the magnificent library of Tara’s Palace and for the donation of a collection of miniature books including the Shakespeare collection, a Bible and a diary from the year 1850.
Mr Matt Mc Nulty founding trustee and Chairman for Oriental Room of the Palace, for a pair of miniature silver candlesticks, for a miniature Persian carpet from Saudi Arabia and for the miniature chandeliers in the principal rooms and other artifacts.
The Trustees of Tara’s Palace Trust are deeply grateful to Mrs. Terry Browne, Mrs. Anne Spencer and Mrs. Helen Temple who acted as curators and helped in many other ways to make the museum a success in its initial phase
The Trustees of Tara’s Palace Trust are deeply grateful to sisters, Stephanie and Amanda Stafford for their contribution to its charitable work for children. “The Present” was written by Stephanie, while her sister Amanda, wrote the poem and created the illustrations.
The Shelburne Hotel for the sponsorship of the book launch reception in the newly restored and refurbished historic Constitution Room.
The Trustees are deeply grateful to the following local residents of Malahide and Fingal who acted as volunteer guides and curatorial assistants at various times:-
Grainne Peacock, Sheila Johns, Majorie Erskine, Lucy Hughes, Janet Quinn, Josey Nolan, Madge Kinahan, Pat Hurley, Bernie Erraught, Geraldine Clarke, Marie Gannon, Laura Hand, Caroline Hurley
Mr Philip O Neill of Christopher O Neill and Sons of Carrickmines for the wonderful marble cantilever staircase and front hall modelled after Castletown House
Mrs. Angela Louden-Browne for the donation of her furnished dolls house, Fairfax House.
Mr. Pat Liddy for the donation of his Basilica – “Youthful Imagination” which he built as a boy in the 1960’s
Mrs Sonia Rogers for the “Garden Room” of Tara’s Palace
Newbridge Silver for the “Silver Room” of Tara’s Palace
Mrs Ann Rehill for “Tara’s Bedroom” of Tara’s Palace
Mr. Ken Rohan of Rohan Holdings for the “Large Drawing Room” of Tara’s Palace
Gowan Motors for the “Chapel” of Tara’s Palace
Grattan Property Company for sponsoring Oscar Wilde’s Mothers House that is on display in the museum
O’ Sullivan Antiques for the “Music Room” of Tara’s Palace
L’Ecrivan restaurant for the “Great Kitchen” of Tara’s Palace
Mealy’s Auctioneers for the “Library” of Tara’s Palace
Independent Newspapers for the “Lower Drawing Room” of Tara’s Palace
Johnston Antiques for the “Dining Room” of Tara’s Palace
Ms Sarah Ramsden for the “Linen Room” of Tara’s Palace
Harry and Rita Crosbie for the 17th century “Pine Paneled Room” of Tara’s Palace
Pantry Franchise Ireland for the “Men’s Sitting Room” of Tara’s Palace
O’Flaherty Holdings for Tara’s Palace “Garage”
Anonymous Donor for the “Ivory Room” of Tara’s Palace
Mr. Brian Coyle for Tara’s Palace “Garden” designed by Paddy Bowe
Ms Jane Louise O’Grady-Walshe for the “Nanny’s Room” of Tara’s Palace
Ms Leda Shaula, Cordaella for the “Day Nursery” of Tara’s Palace
Esther Sexton Antiques
Daphne Flannery
Karen Tracy
Shane Ryan
Connaghton-Deeny
Ms Margaret and Joan Charlton for the donation of an antique doll
Mr Gerald Mc Donnell for the donation of an illustrated guide to Titania’s Palace
Mrs. P. Heaviside of Plockton, Ross-Shire, Scotland for the donation of an antique girls dress
Mrs. Mary Maguire from Navan, Co. Meath for the donation of a 1960’s pram
Mr. Noel Nutley for the loan of models of the Dublin Lord Mayor’s Coach, a Reading Gypsy Caravan and Catalogue
Mrs. Norma Williams for the loan of a Silver Cross Pram.
Panasonic, Sandyford Industrial Estate gift of a vacuum cleaner for use in cleaning the Museum
Mr Leo East for assisting with repairs and restoration work
Crafty Fox for Model horse, glass case and glass shelving
Paddy Bear – Craft Shop for the donation of 3 Miniature Houses
Ms. Caroline Hurley and Mrs. Pat Hurley for the cleaning of the dolls dresses
Mr Michael Maughan for a Japanese doll from the Honda Company
Mrs Duffy for a collection of children’s toys in perfect condition and some antique Christmas decorations
Kinsealy Garden Centre for donation of decorations for our Halloween display.
Supervalu, Malahide for donating decorations and sweets for events held in the Museum.
Dunnes Stores, Portmarnock for donating an Easter Egg as a prize in our Easter competition.