In 1979, Barbara and Nanke Ulrichs moved to the west of Ireland from Berlin to settle down with their family. A year later, together with their business partner Jürgen Faulstich they opened a wooden toyshop in the center of Loughrea and a wholesale business, Wooden Heart Toys Ltd. They imported, distributed and sold German wooden toys and gifts in Ireland. At the time there was no real demand for wooden toys in Irish households and so Wooden Heart pioneered the market. As the first a supplier and wholesale distributor of wooden toys and gifts nationwide, Wooden Heart defined the wooden toy market in Ireland.
In 1982, Barbara and Nanke Ulrichs opened up a store in Galway on the corner of Cross Street and Middle Street, while Jürgen Faulstich continued in Loughrea under the new name Kinderbox – only to move to Cork to take over Pinnochio’s, which now is owned by Wyon and Crystal and to this day remains one of the most visited toy and gift shops in the country.
In 1985, Wooden Heart opened a branch in Ennis and four years later in Limerick, but due to their growing family, Barbara and Nanke decided to focus their attention solely on their Galway outlet, and 1990 moved the flagship store to its current location on Quay Street. Here, with their three sons and their staff they kept Wooden Heart at the forefront of selling high quality wooden toys and gifts in the heart of Galway.
Step by step, each of the three floors was opened to the public. The bottom floor is designed to showcase specialised gifts and collectibles, as well as a selection of toys for children of all ages. On the first floor chess sets, globes and educational toys fill the shelves and since 2009, in a specially designed space a toy village is open for public viewing. The top floor is a showroom for nursery furniture and decorative items.
Opening Hours:
Monday - Friday: 10am - 6pm
Saturday: 10am - 6pm
Sundays & Bank Holidays: 11am - 5pm
Photos taken by Boyd Challenger, for more information and photos check out his website here
