Games and Toys

Skipping and Ball

Cartoon picture of a girl playing skipping and a boy playing ball.

Courtesy of Dublin City Public Libraries and Archive.

Skipping and Ball
Courtesy of Dublin City Public Libraries and Archive.

Skipping and Ball

Cartoon picture of a girl playing skipping and a boy playing ball.

Courtesy of Dublin City Public Libraries and Archive.

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A Crolly Doll from the 1960s

Colour photo of a doll made in the 1960s by the Crolly Doll factory, Annagry, Co. Donegal. The doll is made of rigid plastic, with moveable limbs. She has long, light brown rooted hair tied back at either side. Her eyes are moveable. She is wearing a long blue dress with a white lace yoke and white shoes.

By permission of Crolly Dolls, Meenacrieve, Annagry, Co. Donegal.

A Crolly Doll from the 1960s
By permission of Crolly Dolls, Meenacrieve, Annagry, Co. Donegal.

A Crolly Doll from the 1960s

Colour photo of a doll made in the 1960s by the Crolly Doll factory, Annagry, Co. Donegal. The doll is made of rigid plastic, with moveable limbs. She has long, light brown rooted hair tied back at either side. Her eyes are moveable. She is wearing a long blue dress with a white lace yoke and white shoes.

By permission of Crolly Dolls, Meenacrieve, Annagry, Co. Donegal.

Enlarge image

When you meet friends to play, what games are your favourites? Games like squares, kerbs and tip the can are popular nowadays.





However, many street games have survived from as early as the 1950s and before, and are still played today. Skipping is one of the classic children's games. Here we will take a look at how it was played in Donegal.





We will also examine one of Donegal's favourite exports: the Crolly Doll. In the 1950s and 1960s, these dolls were one of the most sought-after toys an Irish child could have.





Ask your parents whether they ever owned a Crolly Doll or remember these toys. Among other things, you will be able to tell them about how and why the original factory was founded in Crolly.