Emerald Park set to reopen to the public this weekend

The theme park formerly known as Tayto Park in Ashbourne, county Meath reopens this Saturday, March 25, with the brand new logo of Emerald Park.

One of the most popular theme parks in Ireland, the newly-revamped facility has two new junior rides as well as some new arrivals to the zoo including one of the world’s most endangered species of big cat.

The team at Emerald Park, Ireland’s only theme park and zoo, have been working tirelessly over the past few months to transform the beloved Ashbourne theme park. New signage across the park welcomes guests to Emerald Park and encourages everyone to treasure their time at the park with family and friends.

The Junior Zone, for young adventurers aged 3+, has expanded to include two brand new rides, Balloon Chase and Crazy Bus. Both rides are the first additions to the Junior Zone in three years and are set to thrill little ones as they discover the park.

The zoo has welcomed a number of animals over recent months. Including energetic squirrel monkeys and striking arrivals, Bira, an “Endangered” Amur tiger and Freya, a “Critically Endangered” Amur leopard. The two stunning sub-species of big cats have come to the zoo as part of the prestigious European wildlife conservation management programme, the “EEP”. The zookeeping team are delighted to say the new additions have settled in well and got straight into the swing of things at Emerald Park!

Charles Coyle, General Manager of Emerald Park will cut the green ribbon on Saturday to officially open the park with help from Clare and Shane McHugh from Maynooth, Co. Kildare, with their children Ellie (6), Ben (4) and Tom (2). Ben receives in-home nursing care from the Jack & Jill Children’s Foundation, which is the chosen charity of Emerald Park for 2023.

Carmel Doyle, CEO of The Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation said, “At Jack and Jill, we are all about giving families the gift of time through the in-home nursing care hours we fund and provide, so that the families under our care can take a much-needed break. We’re thrilled at being selected as charity partner by Emerald Park and we have no doubt this will be an adventure-filled partnership that really puts the fun into fundraising. On behalf of the 400 families under our care today, right across the country, we’d like to wish the Emerald Park team all the very best as they embark on this exciting new chapter, and we are very happy to be part of their story.”

All of the Park’s favourites including Cú Chulainn, Dino Dash and World of Raptors will be ready for guests young and old this weekend on what is set to be the most exciting reopening weekend yet for the beloved theme park. All food outlets are also back, including a real guest favourite – the Twisted Chip!

Emerald Park management are also delighted to announce the brand-new addition of not one, but two Ben & Jerry’s scoop shops. Both shops will coincide with the introduction of Ireland’s best known and much-loved ice cream brands to Emerald Park as part of their new sponsorship with Unilever Ice Cream for 2023.

Viking Voyage will not re-open this weekend due to ongoing upgrades on the ride, but it is set to open in the coming weeks.

General Manager of Emerald Park, Charles Coyle said “we are excited to reopen the Park for the 2023 season and welcome guests new and old to Emerald Park to enjoy everything that the Park has to offer throughout the 50 acres of fun. We’ve been working hard behind the scenes to upgrade the park and we hope that everyone who comes through our doors will enjoy treasured moments big and small in the Park”

To celebrate the opening weekend, guests are asked to pre-book online in advance and save up to 20%.

All Access tickets are priced at €39 (pre-book online) while Junior zone tickets are €35 (pre-book online).