On this day… An entry in the entertainment trade newspaper, The Era, dated 23rd June 1894, describes the arrival at Dublin’s World Fair of the marionette company, Chester and Lee’s Imperial French Marionettes: “Worlds Fair, Dublin. Chester and Lee’s Imperial French marionettes commenced their season’s engagement on Monday last and are drawing large crowds, the marionettes being well […]

On this day… An Irish Times advertisement on 18th May 1936 advertises the appearance of Delvaine’s Marionettes (later became Delvaine’s Royal Marionettes) at the Olympia Theatre. Although regarded as an English puppet company, it was actually founded by an Irishman, Daniel Fanning. Daniel Fanning first became involved with puppetry while selling programmes, with his brothers and sisters, for D’Arc’s Marionettes were appearing at Dublin’s […]