Photos of Irish Barbie dolls © Kathryn E. Darden

 Left - Right: Princess of Ireland, Legends of Ireland: Bard, Spellbound Lover, Fairy Queen and Irish Dance Barbie dolls

Mattel made the first  Irish Barbie as part of their Dolls of the World (DOTW) series in 1984. They have revisited the Irish theme three times since then in the DOTW series. In 1995 the second DOTW Irish Barbie doll was made, followed by the Irish Princess in 2002 and the Irish Dance Barbie in 2007.

The Irish theme was popular enough for Mattel to create an entire series dedicated to the Legends of Ireland series featuring Barbie as historical and mythical figures from Ireland's history including an Irish Bard, Faerie Queen, Iseult, Deirdre of Ulster, and Aine, the Irish Goddess of Love. These dolls make delightful additions to St. Patrick's Day displays and decorating.

Dates are the years the dolls were sold according to www.barbiecollector.com. To see photos, click on the links or see the slideshow below. 

IRISH DOLLS OF THE WORLD

DOTW Irish Barbie (1984) -  The first Irish Barbie doll wore a simple long green skirt, a long-sleeved white lace blouse, a green shawl, and white cap with lace trim. W/Red

DOTW Irish Barbie (1995) - The second Irish Barbie doll issued wore a kelly green dress trimmed with white lace at the sleeves, skirt, and collar. This doll also came with a white lace cap and green pumps. W/Red

DOTW Princess of Ireland Barbie (2002) - Barbie is a Celtic princess in an olive green gown with Celtic trim. She wears a gold Celtic brooch on her forest-green cape and a gold crown.  W/Red

DOTW Festivals Of The World: Irish Dance Barbie (2007) - Barbie is dressed for a traditional Irish dance competition wearing a two-toned green costume for step-dancing.  W/Red

DOTW Kelly and Friends Gift Set (2005) -  This adorable Pink Label Kelly set features a little Kelly from Ireland as well as dolls from France and Switzerland.

 LEGENDS OF  IRELAND

The Bard Barbie (2004) - Mattel rewrites history with The Bard. Barbie joins an all-male profession playing her gold harp and wearing her mist green gown. W/Red

Faerie Queen Barbie (2004) - Ireland is home to the legend of the Faerie Queen, and Barbie assumes the role with the second doll in the Legends of Ireland series. Barbie is dressed a peridot-colored, chiffon gown with a glittering taffeta underdress and a crown, scepter, and faerie wing. W/Red

Brunette Faerie Queen (2004) - This Platinum Label Limited Edition brunette version was a Toys R Us Exclusive limited to 500 dolls. W/B

The Spellbound Lover Barbie (2005) - The third doll in the Legends of Ireland Collection, Barbie is Iseult from the medieval tale of Tristan and Iseult. Spellbound Lover Barbie wears a blue-green and gold gown, a red velvet cape, gold brooches, a gold belt, and a gold circlet upon her head. W/Red

Deirdre of Ulster Barbie (2007) - Released as a Toys R Us Exclusive, Deirdre of Ulster is a Platinum Label doll and the fourth doll in the "Legends of Ireland" Collection. Inspired by the tale of Deirdre of Ulster, Deirdre wears a Celtic-inspired moss green gown.

Aine Barbie (2008) - Known as the Faery Queen of Munster, Aine, Goddess of Love is a Silver Label Barbie doll who wears a flowing green gown with gold trim, earrings and crown.