'Kidults' treat themselves to toys for Christmas

Louise Walsh

A toy shop owner who refuses to sell electronic devices says 30 per cent of his sales are to 'kidults' who travel from all over the country for childhood nostalgia.

Tony Duffy is still a child at heart, though he will turn 80 next year and has shunned the era of gaming, sticking instead to imaginative, creative and development toys for all ages.

Duffy's Toyworld in Dunleer, Co Louth is a go-to mecca for toys and some of this year's biggest sellers include the ring board, Monchichis and board games.

Tony manages to charm young and old each day alongside his daughter Audrey, and seven employees.

"It's wonderful seeing the faces of all ages light up in here when they see toys they may have had in childhood or wished that they were around in their childhood," he said.

Audrey says that 1000-piece jigsaw puzzles are a big hit with the older generation, as well as Lego Architecture sets such as Neuschwanstein Castle.

"Board games have made a big comeback this year with favourites like Trivial Pursuit, Ticket to Ride and Risk, but also Teifoc stone building toys are incredible," said Audrey.

"You can basically build a house with red bricks and cement and mortar, and if you want to change it up, the cement dissolves in water."

Tony's father started the business in 1938, selling household wares and paraffin oil, but when he died suddenly, Tony took over the business at the age of 19.

"The shop evolved over the years until we started to exclusively sell toys and I decided against stocking any electronics, preferring to concentrate on imaginative, creative and developmental toys.

"Everyone knows you won't buy a PS5 here," he said.

"Children should have wonder and awe in their lives. We sell dress-up uniforms here that are identical to the real professions. I find if a child wears, say, a nurse's uniform, then they are less likely to be afraid of them if they ever have to go into hospital. It's one less thing to fear."

In recent weeks, 'kidults' have been travelling from all over Ireland for their own Christmas fix.

"One woman came from Belfast and bought 23 Monchichis for herself. She collects them. In the last week alone, people have dropped in from Roscommon, Gorey, Athlone, Tullamore, Dublin and Donegal.

"About 30 per cent of customers are what we call kidults. They could be in their 80s, but I'd never call them a day over 29," he said.

"We do sell a lot through the website, but everyone just loves visiting a toy shop, whatever age they are. It keeps us young."