Volunteering
at Tara’s Palace

Thank you for your interest in volunteering at Tara’s Palace and Museum of Childhood.  Tara’s Palace Trust was established to create the Palace and Museum for the entertainment of children and the benefit of children’s charity.  The trustees are all unpaid volunteers and this and some back up we have allows us to give 100% of the money we collect on admissions and from sales to charity.  We are located in the Courtyard at Malahide Castle. 

We open 6 days a week from April to September and may do something special this Christmas also. We are closed on Mondays. The opening times are 10.00 to 1.00 and 14.00 to 17.00 on weekdays and 13.00 to 17.00 on Sundays and Bank Holidays.

The Fry model railway staff open the main premises each day, switch off the alarm and take the admission charge on our behalf so there are no problem in that area.  The museum also has a security camera system which is on 24 hours.  Its all very casual and relaxed and seldom very busy except when groups call.  The tour typically takes half an hour.   The type of work volunteers are involved in normally includes:-

• Welcoming visitors to the museum
• Telling them what there is to see
• Explaining some of the displays and pointing out interesting items
• Answering visitors questions
• Supervising the visitors and children – making sure nothing is damaged
• Taking money for the guide books or post cards that are on sale etc
• Keeping the place clean
• Writing up the daily log
• Recording anything that needs fixing
• Recording any visitors comments to help us to improve

There are tea and coffee making facilities in the museum for the volunteers and a toilet adjoining.  There is a restaurant in the Castle with a 50% staff rate which includes volunteers.  Training will be given in all aspects of the work and volunteers have proven in the past that they can master this very quickly.  The exhibits have information signs and there is a phone available and a list of numbers that can be called for advice or assistance if necessary.

A roster is created each month in advance and volunteers can select their own times with the minimum being a half day i.e. morning or afternoon. A minimum of one person must be on duty at a time but in the past we have had volunteers (friends) working in pairs for company and to meet for a chat and to spend some time together while contributing to the children’s charity. We can accommodate whatever is needed.

If you are interested and prepared to give it a try let me know your telephone number and I will contact you for the “open day” when you can come and see what we are about.  My email is info@taraspalace.ie