This is SO much better than a birthday card.

A West Cork-based business is creating incredibly detailed 3D paper models of Irish houses, businesses and streets.

Tiny Ireland is the brainchild of furniture maker and boatbuilder Anke Eckardt, who came up with the idea when she was making a miniature version of Ballydehob for her son’s model railway.

Making paper prototypes had long been Anke’s way of exploring a woodworking project before actually getting out the timber, but now her enchanting model making kits allow less than crafty fans to create their own nostalgic paper models, featuring anything from the church where they tied the knot (The Honan Chapel is already available in the shop) to the pub where they first met…

A tiny,tiny @CorksHiB to make while you’re enjoying your Friday after-work pint! #CorkCity #papercraft pic.twitter.com/LZEocfT2Uo

— Anke Eckardt (@TinyIreland) December 2, 2016

Each kit, all of which are designed, printed and packaged in Cork, contains miniatures printed on 220gsm card, ready to cut out and assemble. All you need is a scissors and some glue.

Thank you @TinyIreland we just love our new Tiny Model of @MetropoleCork #met120 @trigonhotels pic.twitter.com/4WTTfpJBd3

— Metropole Hotel Cork (@MetropoleCork) December 7, 2017

While the Tiny Ireland online shop sells A4 and A5 kits of fun Irish landmarks for as little as €4.50, Anke also accepts special orders.

One custom design saw her create a series of paper pubs, one for each table at a wedding reception in Dingle. The models were lit using an LED light inside each one, creating a magical centrepiece.

“As I design and paint my miniature streets, I try to capture the essence of the colourful, vibrant Irish towns which we all love.” says Anke. “Months of preparation go into each of my gift kits: beginning with a visit to the town itself, talking to the locals and researching about its history.”

I love all the green bottles lined up in the windowsill of O’Callaghan Walshe’s Restaurant in #Rosscarbery
Expanding the collection! pic.twitter.com/noHDOXh136

— Anke Eckardt (@TinyIreland) February 14, 2017

Light, neat and easy to post, Tiny Ireland models make a brilliant gift – visit the Tiny Ireland website to order some adorable Cork landmarks to pop in the post.