Launch of 2013 Halloween Fest, Charity Day, New town access, Winter Wonderland
Westport House has a very exciting line up for the autumn-winter season ahead, on the back of picking up two prestigious awards as the Best Halloween Event and Best Family Attraction in the West for the second year running at the Primary Times Star Awards 2013. Please view all the attractions and activities Westport House has to offer on www.westporthouse.ie but for now here’s an overview of all the Autumn Winter season has to offer…
Free Entry to the ‘Best Family Attraction in the West’
Charity Day at Westport House, 20 Oct, in aid of Mayo Roscommon Hospice
Westport House & Pirate Adventure Park is opening their gates free of charge for all on the 20th October in aid of the Mayo Roscommon Hospice. This is a great opportunity to make a donation to such a worthy cause while also spending quality time at one of Ireland’s most beautiful historic homes and activity parks.
With over 30 architecturally stunning rooms inside the historic house open to the public along with 480 acres of majestic parkland with lake, terraces, wonderful gardens and magnificent views of Clew Bay and Croagh Patrick, it really is worth a visit! The Pirate Adventure Park will also be open to the public with its splash-tastic Pirates Plunge, Pirate Queen Swinging Ship, 30 ft Cannon Ball run slide, swan pedaloe boats, Westport House Express train, go karts, Pirates Den indoor soft play area, pitch & putt, bouncy castles, playgrounds and much more!
Westport House’s newest adventure activity, The Sky Challenge, will also be available free of charge to all the brave souls who dare to try it on the day, courtesy of Westport House’s adventure partners, The Adventure Islands. Finally, West Equine Group will provide pony rides and demonstrations of cross country jumping complimentary to all who come along on the day.
Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation cares for and supports the physical and emotional needs of patients and their families living with life threatening illnesses. The service enables patients to live out the remainder of their lives in comfort and dignity with palliative care provided free of charge to all.
Westport House’s Hospice Day promises to be a fantastic day out for all the family, and is in aid of a fantastic cause, so come on me hearty, get on board.
For more information see www.westporthouse.ie or www.hospice.ie
Gateway to a whole new history!
Westport House is delighted to announce that they are re-opening an old historic gate and pathway between Westport town centre and Westport House, which was closed over 60 years ago, to re-establish a direct link with the popular Heritage town. This exciting project involves building a pedestrian entrance from the centre of Westport town via Church Lane to allow direct access into the Estate as was always historically intended. It further cements how intrinsically linked the town and estate are, and it will benefit townspeople and businesses alike by providing direct access to an impressive 120,000+ visitors annually. The knock on effect of this re-established access is positive for everyone, with visitor numbers also predicted to increase at the estate. As a result of this Westport House expects to take on an extra 14 employees. Westport House will focus all efforts on the new gate which will open during full operating hours i.e. when Westport House & Pirate Adventure Park are open. It will necessitate the closure of the Hotel Westport gate into the attraction. The formal opening of these gates will be celebrated on October 20th in conjunction with our Open Day in aid of Mayo Roscommon Hospice.
Head West for ‘Ireland’s Best Halloween’ Fest
As anticipation builds for Halloween, rumours flourish of ghoulish goings on at the historic Westport House in Co. Mayo. Their annual Halloween Fest, which runs for the duration of the mid-term break (October 26 to November 3) from 11am to 5pm daily, is the perfect place to go for fiendish family fun. It’s so devilishly good that it was awarded as the Best Halloween Event in the West!
The 18th century historic house will be transformed into a (not too) scary haunted house for the week (suitable for little ones), and the attractions and activities on offer are guaranteed to cast a spell over your little witches and warlocks! The cauldron of festive fun includes the White Witch’s story time, and ghastly face painting with Lord of the Darkness so has something for even the little ones.
For that added bubble, boil and trouble make sure you try out the frighteningly good family workshops throughout the day: Carve your very own Jack O’Lantern to ward off evil spirits when you get home (additional charge of €2.50 for your pumpkin); or Zombie shuffle your way to the formal Large Dining room of Westport House and learn all the moves to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” music video.
If all this Hallowe’en fun has worked up an appetite, then trick or treat your way to Westport House’s ‘Spooky Spoons workshop’ where you’ll learn some gruesome new recipes and decorate your own cupcake with snakes and spiders webs and maybe even eye of newt?
You and your little monsters will have a hauntingly good time as you experience the thrills ‘n’ chills of our Pirate Adventure Park.
Travel into another world on the mysterious Westport House Express train ride and have more fun than you can shake a broomstick at while on board the swinging ship and pedal Go Karts before a final wicked trip on the log flume water ride. The park is open from 1pm to 5pm daily.
Make sure you get in the spirit of things by dressing up in Halloween costumes!
Fireworks Extravaganza & Fancy Dress
If you’re in Westport House for the October bank holiday weekend, you will definitely get a treat (no tricks promise) with an explosive Fireworks Extravaganza and haunting Halloween dance on the front lawn of Westport House. Make sure you dress to impress and look scarily good as you could be in with a chance to win some fantastic prizes in the costume competition – adults too! The Fireworks Extravaganza is only €5 per person or €4 for annual pass holders.
Winter Wonderland of the West
Westport House will be sprinkled with magical Christmas dust and transformed into a magical Winter Wonderland every weekend from Saturday November30th until Christmas Eve in 2013. Make sure you bring all the family to meet Santa, Mrs Claus and their Elves!
Having a merry little Christmas begins the moment you step into the stunning history 18th century house, with its cosy fireplaces, friendly staff, and stunning décor setting a truly festive tone even before you visit Santa and his elves at Santa’s Grotto. Whether kids have been naughty or nice, they will receive a special gift from Santa and not forgetting that parents deserve to be treated too there is a warming glass of mulled wine on arrival and a juice for the little ones.
There’s plenty more to enjoy from magical storytelling and sing-songs by the fireside with Mrs Claus, to festive face painting with their cool as ice snow(wo)man and Little Drummer Boy workshops. Make sure you visit the Elves Workshop where kids can paint their own Christmas tree decoration to hand proudly on their tree at home or to give as a gift to someone special this Christmas.
Once you’ve unwrapped everything to enjoy in the House, you can take a ride on the Westport House Express train through the frost kissed grounds and watch out for festive surprises around each corner, while you snuggle up with complimentary blankets.
As part of the 2013 Winter Wonderland Westport House are renewing their tradition of a Christmas Wish Tree where families are invited to write their wishes and for every family wish we will donate €1 to the Mayo Roscommon Hospice they hope will be generously supported, as people remember that true meaning of Christmas is all about giving.
Tickets are priced at €10 for infants under 2 €20 for children aged 2 up, and €10 for adults. Babies under 1 year go free for their first Christmas. Pre-booking is essential on www.westporthouse.ie .
Photos are available for download from DropBox at https://www.dropbox.com/sh/l9fa34qbrxxr2c8/jnQufey64t