Emerald Park Reopens on Saturday 25th March

Emerald Park, one of Ireland's most beloved destinations, is set to reopen its doors on Saturday, March 25th, 2023. The theme park and zoo, located in Ashbourne, has undergone some exciting changes during its closure, including a new name over the entrance and two thrilling new rides for young adventurers in the Junior Zone.

The Junior Zone, designed for kids aged three and up, now features Balloon Chase and Crazy Bus, two brand-new rides that are sure to excite and delight. Meanwhile, the zoo has welcomed several new arrivals, including energetic squirrel monkeys and two stunning sub-species of big cats: Bira, an endangered Amur tiger, and Freya, a critically endangered Amur leopard. These majestic creatures have come to the zoo as part of the prestigious European wildlife conservation management programme, the EEP.

Throughout the park, visitors will notice new signage welcoming them to Emerald Park and encouraging them to treasure their time there with loved ones. General Manager Charles Coyle will officially open the park on Saturday with the help of Clare and Shane McHugh and their three children, Ellie (6), Ben (4), and Tom (2). Ben receives in-home nursing care from the Jack & Jill Children's Foundation, the chosen charity of Emerald Park for 2023.

Overall, it's an exciting time for Emerald Park and its visitors, with plenty of new experiences and attractions to discover.

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 on March 25th on what is set to be the most exciting reopening weekend yet for the beloved theme park. Our food outlets are back, including a real guest favourite  – the Twisted Chip! We are also delighted to announce the brand-new addition of not one but two Ben & Jerry’s scoop shops! Enjoy your favourite ice cream the way it was originally intended. Both new Ben and Jerry’s scoop shops will coincide with the introduction of Ireland’s best known & much-loved ice cream brands to Emerald Park as part of our new sponsorship with Unilever Ice Cream for 2023.

 Viking Voyage will not re-open this weekend due to ongoing upgrades on the ride, we look forward to its reopening with updates coming soon.

General Manager of Emerald Park, Charles Coyle said today 

“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 (March 25th/26th) pre-book online in advance and save up to 20%:

All Access ticket €39 (pre-book online)

Junior zone ticket €35 (pre-book online)

For information, interviews and tickets www.emeraldpark.ie

About the Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation

The Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation is an Irish children’s charity that funds and delivers in-home nursing care and respite support for children with severe to profound cognitive delay, up to the age of 6. This may include children with brain injury, genetic diagnosis, cerebral palsy and undiagnosed conditions. Another key part of the service is end-of-life care for all children up to the age of 6, irrespective of diagnosis.

Jack and Jill's mission is to empower parents to care for their child at home in communities across Ireland because there is no care like home care for a Jack and Jill child. The charity mobilises a crew of community nurses and carers, operates seven days a week, with no means test, no red tape and no waiting list and over 2,800 families have been supported since Jack and Jill’s establishment 26 years ago.

The charity must raise over €6 million per annum to keep its vital service going, and currently supports over 400 families with up to 80 hours of home nursing care per month at a cost of €1,440 per month, or €17,280 per year. The support is often described as ‘a gift of time’ or a ‘lifeline’, giving parent carers and siblings a break from their 24/7 care regime, safe in the knowledge that their child is well cared for at home, where they belong. 

For more information, visit jackandjill.ie.