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Maze of Ireland
How well do you know Ireland? Test yourself on the 32 counties in Rathwood's Maze of Ireland! The Maze is planted in the shape of Ireland and each county is built to scale... The only maze of it's kind in the country!
Santa Visits the Big Top 2021
You’ve been invited onboard the Rathwood Express train for a magical journey through Rathwood's festive forest.
Spotlight Productions, the team behind the Toy Show, have put together a magical spectacular themed around a child's imagination at Christmas with Santa, Mrs. Claus and all the elves.
Please note that Santa will not individually meet each group, he will be part of the show in the tent, this is the safest option for both customers and staff.
Santa is an older gent and we don't want to put him at any risk before his big gig on Christmas Eve, so social distance will be maintained throughout the performances.
What happens on the day?
You will follow Santa’s footsteps at reception to our check in desk. Once you are checked in, the magic starts. Our elves will keep you entertained in our waiting area until it's time to board the Santa Train.
You will then enter your pod and take a magical journey through the enchanted forest where you will see Santa’s reindeer. The train will drop you off at the newly refurbished and even bigger Rathwood Big Top. There's plenty of room for social distancing as we have restricted capacity for these events, and you will be safely and comfortably seated within your family pod.
The truly magical show produced by Spotlight Productions will let you and your children meet Santa, Mrs. Claus and all the elves in a musical spectacular themed around A Child's Imagination At Christmas.
After the show, you will walk to our Toy factory where each child will receive their present from Santa. You will then walk back to the train at the pick up point and it will drop you off at Candy Cane Lane!
Pricing:
Child €23.95-€26.95 Baby (under 12 months) €12.95-€16.95 Adult €14.95-€17.95
Booking fees apply.
Top Tips for visiting Santa in the Big Top:
- All visitors must arrive 15 minutes prior to your train time, our trains will leave on time.
- Buggies are prohibited on the train but we do have a storage area on-site till the end of the event.
- Please either show a printed ticket or your ticket on a mobile device at check-in.
- If you have purchased funfair tickets please collect these at Check-In.
- The Merry Tree Restaurant closes food service at 5.30pm providing a hot beverage service until 6. The Wood Shed Cafe provides hot chocolate for all trains after this point but does not have a food service.
- Rescheduling bookings: if you need to make an amendment to any booking please contact us on events@rathwood.com or 0599156285
- Following the guidelines as per August 2021, we ask that anyone over the age of 13 wear a mask to our event.
- PRE BOOKING FOR ALL RATHWOOD EVENTS IS ESSENTIAL
Covid-19 Guidelines
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With the Welfare of our visitors as a priority we have put the following procedures in place:
- Family Pods - Each family will enter their secure Family Pod on our train at the start of the event. Perspex screens are in place to keep the pods separate. Your pod on the train will be numbered and once you enter the big top you will then be seated in the same numbered pod and remain secure in this pod throughout the duration of the event. This controlled environment minimises any contact with others or unsanitised surfaces. Families will stay seated in this family pod throughout the event. The train will then collect you once the event is over and you will be seated in the same numbered pod for the remainder of the journey. Each booking must have a minimum of 3 people and a maximum of 6 to ensure safe capacity in each pod.
- Reduced Capacity - We have majorly reduced our capacity to facilitate appropriate social distancing and ensure the experience is comfortable & safe for all involved.
- Contact Tracing - We keep a record of everyone that is booked in for each time slot allowing for appropriate contact tracing.
- Money-back guarantee - No-quibble money-back guarantees up to 48 hours before the event. In the event of cancellation, all tickets will be refunded.
- Masks - We ask that all visitors observe HSE guidelines on mask-wearing while attending the event.
For more information please click here
Other Attractions on the day
Rathwood Express Train
Hop aboard the Rathwood Express Train! This train has been running for 25 years and is still one of the highlights of the Rathwood experience! Tour our extensive woodlands, feed the geese and look out for the animals along the way....
Deer Park
Rathwood is home to many forms of wildlife but our most popular is definitely our deer! Stroll down to say hello or give them a wave as you pass on the train... you won't be disappointed with these beautiful creatures!
The Ark Playcentre
The Ark Indoor Playcentre is state of the art play facility for children from ages 0 to 9. We have plenty to keep your children entertained while getting great exercise at the same time!
Restaurant
The MerryTree is a popular, relaxed restaurant serving Rathwood visitors from Breakfast (9:30am - 12), until 7:30pm each evening.
Beauty Salon
Specialize in brand favourites including Waxperts, Bellamianta spray tan & Dermalogica skin treatments.
Fashion
Country chic, glamourous, casual, active and outdoorsy.. our boutiques and fashion brands have plenty of character and style
