ELVES, animals, and most importantly Santa Claus, are all getting ready to take part in Ireland’s largest Christmas parade, which is set to roll through Bunratty on this Thursday (November 28) as the village is transformed into a winter wonderland.
More than 400 leaping, laughing, singing parade participants will wind their way through the village to the courtyard of Bunratty Castle where the annual switching on of the Folk Park’s Christmas lights will take place.
Santa, on a spectacular horse-drawn sleigh drawn, has invited everyone to come out and welcome him as he arrives for his Christmas stay in the Bunratty grotto.
The procession will feature more than 100 elves, Christmas characters, the Tulla Pipe Band, animals from the Folk Park, and members of the All-Ireland winning Clare senior hurling team. In the evening, the sounds of Christmas will be provided by the Bunratty Brass Band and two local choirs.
The parade marks the beginning of Christmas at Bunratty, with 35,000 people expected through the gates of the 26-acre visitor attraction during the festivities.
Santa Claus will be opening the doors to his grotto on the Village Street on Friday (November 29). Visitors will have full access to Bunratty Folk Park Trail of Lights Experience and can enjoy puppet and magic shows and traditional Christmas tales with Bunratty’s resident Seanchaí, drop into the festive themed shops, meet and greet in the Ice Queen’s Cottage, and take a ride on the Polar Express.
The ‘Breakfast with Santa’ event and Christmas-themed castle banquets also return for 2024.
Charlotte Rebers, head of operations at Bunratty Castle and Folk Park said that “we wanted to do something completely different this year by bringing the entire community together to celebrate the magic of the Christmas season. Months in the making, this parade will light up the village.”
Following the parade, Bunratty Castle and Folk Park will present a donation to this year’s nominated charity, Down Syndrome Clare.
More information on bunrattycastle.ie.
