Snakes make Patrick’s Day return

ST PATRICK may have banished snakes from Ireland – but they are set to return to Bunratty Folk Park his national feast day.

John Ruddle, chief executive of Shannon Heritage which manages Bunratty, said the snakes should prove a big hit with young visitors. “We wanted to organise an event to give people another entertainment choice to enjoy after their local parade finishes.

“A fun-filled programme of activities and events has been organised for the afternoon. This event complements our annual calendar of events designed especially for the domestic market.”

Among other events planned by Shannon Heritage during the year are an egg hunt at Craggaunowen visitor attraction on Easter Sunday and a cartoon capers event on Easter Monday at Bunratty Folk Park.

Other Folk Park events include a traditional harvest festival, a Halloween event, and the Santa experience at Christmas.

The village school at the Folk Park will be the only school in Ireland to be open for lessons on St Patrick’s Day. But the organisers guarantee that all students attending school that day in the Folk Park’s replica schoolhouse will be voluntary.

To mark the national holiday the village school teacher will give fun Irish language classes at the 19th century themed school house.

There will be live performances by Bunratty Folk Park’s traditional Irish Night entertainers, with two shows starting at 2pm and 4pm.

In addition to this, visitors will be able to enjoy a time travel journey back to the 15th century at medieval Bunratty Castle, and see what life was like in rural Ireland more than 150 years ago.

The event will run from 1pm to 5pm and normal admission fees to Bunratty Castle and Folk Park will apply with no additional cost for the St Patrick’s Day entertainment.

Family tickets, for two adults and up to six children, are €38 and are available on the website www.shannonheritage.com.