History of The Moving Crib

Banner image for the “History of The Moving Crib” page. Features nostalgic imagery of the Moving Crib scenes, with the title text “History of The Moving Crib”. Celebrates over 60 years of this beloved Dublin Christmas tradition located at 42 Parnell Square West.

The Moving Crib, located at 42 Parnell Square West in Dublin City, has been a beloved attraction for over sixty years, entertaining children during the festive season. The Moving Crib was the brainchild of Fr. Louis Coffey in 1956.

Set Up

In 1956, Fr. Louis Coffey envisioned bringing the Bible to life for children in Ireland through the creation of The Moving Crib, incorporating advanced mechanical figures with a Christmas theme. Initially featuring a simple stable scene, the attraction quickly grew in popularity, drawing a staggering one hundred thousand visitors in its first year. Expansion over subsequent years, led by master craftsman Frank Pringle, saw the addition of intricately crafted scenes, including a remarkable Noah’s ark. Notable contributions by artists like Cormac Larkin further enhanced the visual storytelling of the Moving Crib, solidifying its status as a beloved Dublin tradition.

Take a virtual tour of what The Moving Crib looks like now below!

Just click the arrows pointing in the direction you would like to go and drag the screen around for the full interactive experience!

Take a look at what’s planned for this Christmas Season here