This study explores the significant yet under-researched history of puppetry in Ireland. Through detailed case studies of four influential puppet theatre impresarios - Randal Stretch, Lambert D’Arc, Nelson Paine, and Eugene Lambert - the study uncovers the impact of puppetry on Irish cultural and social life over three centuries. It demonstrates how these practitioners innovated within their art form, influenced mainstream theatre, and contributed to the international development of puppetry. Despite particular interest in the puppet theatre from many Irish literary figures, including Jonathan Swift, George Bernard Shaw and Oscar Wilde, the influence of this art form in Ireland has been understated. This dissertation highlights the absence of significant academic or historical consideration of this particular performance art in Ireland – even to the extent that it is mistakenly accepted that Ireland does not have a significant history of puppet performance. As a professional puppeteer of 40 years, the author brings a unique perspective to considerations of production and practice, providing a practitioner’s insight to the impact and significance of puppet performance within Irish cultural history. The dissertation includes a contextual chapter on puppetry performance, based on the author’s professional experience and informed by academic and professional sources. The primary research for this work comprises detailed research across an extensive range of archival sources. The work uncovers previously unavailable and unreferenced archival sources that provide a fresh perspective on the puppet theatre in Ireland across three centuries. The core of this dissertation is a set of four journal articles on each of the chosen case studies, which have been published in international peer-reviewed academic journals over a period of three years. The completed thesis seeks to build on the validation provided by the peer review and publication of these articles. Specifically, this work successfully challenges the misconception that Ireland lacks a significant puppetry history, showing instead that Irish puppetry has been a vital and influential art form. The dissertation highlights the adaptability of puppet performance to changing environments and its role in satirical, experimental, and children's performance. This work underscores the need for a comprehensive history of Irish puppetry, illustrating its importance and impact both domestically and internationally.