Titania's Palace
Encyclopedia
Titania's Palace is a miniature castle that was hand-built in Ireland by James Hicks & Sons, Irish Cabinet Makers who were commissioned by Sir Neville Wilkinson
from 1907 to 1922.
Wilkinson's daughter Gwendolyn claimed to have seen a fairy
running under the roots of a tree, in a wood beside their home at Mount Merrion House. It is said that Gwendolyn felt sorry for the fairies, who have to live in underground caves.
The palace consists of 18 rooms and salons, which contain hand-carved mahogany
furniture. There are 3000 tiny works of art and miniatures from around the world on display inside the palace. The palace was purchased at auction in London in 1978 by Lego, and was displayed in Legoland
, Denmark
until 2007. In 2006 Count Michael Ahlefeldt-Laurvig-Bille
made a loan agreement with Lego to display Titania's Palace at Egeskov Castle
in Denmark
from 2007.
The underbidders at the London auction were deeply disappointed at Titania's Palace being lost to Ireland. They commissioned a new palace, a Dollhouse called Tara's Palace, which is on display in the Tara's Palace Museum of Childhood, located in Powerscourt Estate
, near Enniskerry
, County Wicklow
, Ireland
.
Neville Wilkinson
Major Sir Nevile Rodwell Wilkinson, KCVO was a British officer of arms, British Army officer, author and a dollhouse designer.-Early life and military career:...
from 1907 to 1922.
Wilkinson's daughter Gwendolyn claimed to have seen a fairy
Fairy
A fairy is a type of mythical being or legendary creature, a form of spirit, often described as metaphysical, supernatural or preternatural.Fairies resemble various beings of other mythologies, though even folklore that uses the term...
running under the roots of a tree, in a wood beside their home at Mount Merrion House. It is said that Gwendolyn felt sorry for the fairies, who have to live in underground caves.
The palace consists of 18 rooms and salons, which contain hand-carved mahogany
Mahogany
The name mahogany is used when referring to numerous varieties of dark-colored hardwood. It is a native American word originally used for the wood of the species Swietenia mahagoni, known as West Indian or Cuban mahogany....
furniture. There are 3000 tiny works of art and miniatures from around the world on display inside the palace. The palace was purchased at auction in London in 1978 by Lego, and was displayed in Legoland
Legoland
Legoland is a chain of Lego-themed theme parks. They are not fully owned by Lego Group itself; rather they are owned and operated by the British theme park company Merlin Entertainment.The chain currently consists of:* Legoland Billund...
, Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
until 2007. In 2006 Count Michael Ahlefeldt-Laurvig-Bille
Michael Ahlefeldt-Laurvig-Bille
Michael Preben Count Ahlefeldt-Laurvig-Bille is a Danish count and landowner, which since 1994 has lived in Egeskov Castle close to Kværndrup.-References:...
made a loan agreement with Lego to display Titania's Palace at Egeskov Castle
Egeskov Castle
Egeskov Castle is located in the south of the island of Funen, Denmark. The castle is Europe's best preserved Renaissance water castle.-History:Egeskov's history dates to the 14th century...
in Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
from 2007.
The underbidders at the London auction were deeply disappointed at Titania's Palace being lost to Ireland. They commissioned a new palace, a Dollhouse called Tara's Palace, which is on display in the Tara's Palace Museum of Childhood, located in Powerscourt Estate
Powerscourt Estate
Powerscourt Estate , located near Enniskerry, County Wicklow, Ireland, is a large country estate which is noted for its house and landscaped gardens, today occupying 19 hectares . The house, originally a 13th century castle, was extensively altered during the 18th century by German architect...
, near Enniskerry
Enniskerry
Enniskerry is a village in County Wicklow, Ireland. It had a population of 2,672 at the 2006 census.- Location :...
, County Wicklow
County Wicklow
County Wicklow is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Mid-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Wicklow, which derives from the Old Norse name Víkingalág or Wykynlo. Wicklow County Council is the local authority for the county...
, Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
.