Old-time Christmas fun at the folk park

Shannon Heritage has launched two new Christmas events at Bunratty Castle and Folk Park to meet the growing demand for pre-Christmas entertainment.

The Princess & the Dragon Wizard mini panto and dinner takes place this Saturday and Sunday evening at 5pm while a special Christmas Evening event at the Castle takes place on Friday and Saturday at 8pm.
Shannon Castle Entertainers will be involved in both events, putting on a series of fun panto with dinner events for all the family and performing a selection of Christmas carols at the evening at the castle events.
“This year more than ever, people want to take their minds off the doom and gloom and what better way to do this than by revisiting your childhood panto experience and sharing it with your children,” said John Ruddle, chief executive, Shannon Heritage.
A whole host of pantomime characters are involved in The Princess & the Dragon Wizard mini panto. It tells the story of Princess Cora, whose father, the King, has died. She is due to inherit the castle but instead is thrown into the castle dungeon by her evil uncle the Dragon Wizard and his daughters Capall and Madra. They want to rule the kingdom and need Cora out of the way. But help is on hand in the guise of Prince Oisín, our superhero with a modern day twist and a host of other pantomime characters.
The dining experience incorporates a mulled claret reception on arrival, followed by a three-course dinner with wine. To add to the festive atmosphere, the Shannon Castle Entertainers, dressed in evening attire, will be on hand to perform a selection of favourite Christmas carols and popular classic Christmas songs.
In addition to these events, Santa Claus will be at the folk park until Tuesday next. “This event is proving hugely popular and is already sold out, with many people on a waiting list. This is why we have decided to open it up for people to come and enjoy the Christmas atmosphere in our Santa village. They won’t be able to see Santa but they can enjoy the range of other activities,” said Mr Ruddle.
The folk park village street has been decked with holly and festooned with fairy lights, and the village Christmas tree adorned for the occasion. The young and not so young will be treated to a puppet show and they can join in the fun by chatting to the surprise Christmas characters who wander the village street.