Museum of Childhood presents the story of children's rights in Ireland at Offaly Library

THE Museum of Childhood Ireland proudly presents Seen and Heard, a powerful and participatory event on Saturday August 16^th at Birr Library exploring the evolution of children’s rights in Ireland from Medieval times to the present day.

This Heritage Week, discover how Birr became the birthplace of one of the earliest child (and international humanitarian) protection laws - the fascinating Cáin Adomnáin.

Cáin Adomnáin, also known as the Lex Innocentium (Law of Innocents), dates back to the Synod of Birr in 697 AD. The law gave protection to women, children, clerics and other non-arms-bearing people in times of strife and was the first such known law in the history of Western Europe. A copy of the book is on permanent display in Birr Library.

In the morning, from 10.30am-12.30pm, there will be free drop-in creative workshops for children of all ages with artist Fergal McCarthy. In the afternoon, from 1.30pm-3.00pm, join a panel of historians and children's rights advocates who will trace the fascinating development of children's rights; from early Irish law to the present day.

The Museum of Childhood Ireland has worked with artist Fergal McCarthy to create a thought-provoking exhibition which will be on display in Birr Library for Heritage Week 2025, from August 16th-23rd. This work incorporated outreach and fact-finding through school visits with children in Birr and Dublin and workshops with local Birr groups Biorra le Gaeilge and Elm Grove House, IPAS Centre and was carried out using the Lundy Model of participation. The exhibition highlights fascinating children's rights milestones through imaginative and curiosity-sparking drawings by the artist and collaborating groups.

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Event Highlights

Seen and Heard Drop-In Workshops (10.30am-12.30pm)
Children can take part in free creative drop-in workshops with Fergal McCarthy that delve into the history of children's rights in Ireland. Have your voice heard by sharing the rights you believe should be added and contribute your own artwork to the evolving Seen and Heard exhibition. A specially-created suitcase - filled with interactive games and hands-on activities about children's rights - will also stay with the exhibition in Birr Library until Saturday August 23rd, offering ongoing opportunities for discovery and engagement throughout Heritage Week. Free and open to all ages. No booking required.

Seen and Heard Panel Discussion (1.30pm-3pm)
In addition to the exhibition and workshops, the Museum of Childhood Ireland will host a Seen and Heard Talk: From Cáin Adomnáin to Today - Exploring the Evolution of Children's Rights in Ireland. A panel of historians and children's rights advocates will trace the development of children's rights from early Irish law to present day protections and future ambitions. Free but booking required

Majella McAllister, Chairperson at the Museum of Childhood Ireland, noted: "Heritage Week 2025 at the Museum of Childhood Ireland, Músaem Óige na hÉireann celebrates the profound Irish tradition of valuing children's voices. Exploring our Foundations through our 'Seen and Heard' programme, honours our cultural legacy of child advocacy whilst creating space for young people to become the storytellers of their own experiences. By bridging historical perspectives with contemporary youth expression, we're not merely preserving the past - we're nurturing active citizenship and ensuring that our heritage remains vibrant, relevant, and truly representative of all generations."

Venue: Birr Library, Wilmer Road, Birr, Co. Offaly
Date: Saturday August 16^th 2025
Admission: Free
Seen and Heard Drop-in Workshop Access: No booking required – open to all ages
Seen and Heard Panel Discussion: Free but booking essential via museumofchildhood.ie

This event is kindly funded by the Ireland Funds and supported by Birr Library.

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The event takes place as part of Heritage Week 2025, the theme of which is ‘Exploring Our Foundations’. This theme invites us to delve into the building blocks of our heritage; not just the structures, but the landscapes and cultural activities that have shaped us. See more about Heritage Week from the Heritage Council’s dedicated website, here: https://www.heritageweek.ie/

For more information and to reserve tickets for the Seen and Heard Panel discussion, visit: https://museumofchildhood.ie/seen-and-heard/