When maestro Eugene Lambert opened his puppet theatre in Monkstown, Co Dublin in 1972, he launched a dynastic enterprise unique of its kind in Ireland. Of his 10 offspring, eight have worked in the theatre, and four are still involved in its productions. For children, it is a magical place.
But puppetry is not the exclusive preserve of the very young, and international companies now beat a path to the Lambert door in what has become an established annual festival.
For nine days, from today, puppeteers from Great Britain, The Netherlands, France, Germany, Israel, Bulgaria and, of course, Ireland, will entertain all ages in a variety of venues in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown. And, to top it all off, there will be a nightly Festival Club in the Lambert Theatre.