The Toy Soldier Factory & Visitor Centre, in County Cork, offers free admission and is one of the only places in the world to see tin soldiers being cast the same way that they have been since the 17th century. It is a working factory where you can watch real workers and real processes. They have casting demonstrations of figures for visitors and you can watch as the painters paint the figures.
The factory produces hundreds of different black rubber moulds that allows you the opportunity to join in on a painting workshop. The factory offers 'We Make and You Paint It' workshops. Choose a character or mould and the staff will cast the figure right before your eyes. These workshops can be enjoyed by both adults and children alike. Visitors may find themselves unleashing creativity they may not have realised they had. Workshops available include fairies, ballerina, toy soldiers, monsters, elves, bunnies and seasonal ornaments.
The gift shop is filled with hand painted soldiers and themed chess sets as well as fantasy creatures and leprechauns. All figurines are hand painted at the factory. The Toy Soldier Factory & Visitor Centre also stock puzzles, pewter gifts, Papo figures, Irish heroes like Michael Collins, Brian Ború and Hugh O' Neill. They manufacture a huge range of figures from JR Tolkien’s books, The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. All the creatures, from the mightiest dragon to the tiniest hobbit are available in hand painted or a pewter finish.
A trip to the Toy Soldier Factory & Visitor Centre is both an educational and fun experience for all the family.
- Visit Ireland and Europe's only toy soldier factory.
- Cast a figure and you can paint it in a 'We make and You Paint It' workshop.
- Reserve a table in the creative workshop area.
- Browse a large selection of toy soldiers, Lord of the Rings miniatures, connoisseur chess sets, fairies, animals, fridge magnets, Christmas decorations and famous Irish heroes in the showroom.
