This article is from page 62 of the 2007-12-11 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 62 JPG
THE Santa Experience at Bunratty Castle and Folk Park will feature on RTE Nationwide on Monday, December 17 next when presenter Michael Ryan and an RTE Nation- wide film crew will be welcomed by the Shannon Castle Entertainers who will perform traditional Christ- mas carols for the crew.
The Bunratty Santa experience has been running for the past five years and is an important part of Shan- non Heritage’s calendar of events for the home market. The Folk Park has been transformed into a Christ- mas wonderland with activities and Christmas characters in every nook and cranny. Over 8,500 visitors from
all over will attend this year’s event. Although the Santa visit part of the experience is now booked out, visi- tors can still come to the Folk Park and enjoy the festive atmosphere. Also we will have the well-known Lambert Puppet Theatre putting on a performance of the Magic Toy Shop Puppet Show on December 28 to 30. Tickets are still available for this. The Folk Park Christmas experi- ence is designed for all the family, they can call in to see Mrs. Claus in her Kitchen as she prepares for Santa’s trip – making sure his clothes are ironed and he has plenty of food for his journey. A traditional Irish story teller is on hand to enthral both young and old as he recalls colour- ful tales of Christmas long ago. The
village street is decked with holly, and festooned with fairy lights and adorned with a Christmas tree. New this year is a polar bear exhibit which is causing quite a stir with visitors.
A troupe of Santa’s Elves will be on hand to welcome visitors and there are indoor play areas. Christmas themed shops selling traditional fare will ensure that visitors can get in a bit of last minute shopping. If the re- tail therapy is proving too much then a complimentary glass of mulled Wine awaits the adults in Corry’s Pub on the village Street.