Go Kids

Visit Santa:IT USED TO be that the only place to find Santa was in large department stores, but that has changed with tourist destinations transforming their venues into Christmas markets, and grottos for Santa.

While these can be expensive – expect to pay at least €10 a child, and often more – they do at least provide a day out. Some lend themselves to the transformation more than others and are genuinely curious places to go.

In Co Clare, part of the Aillwee Caves, near Ballyvaughan, becomes Santa’s grotto for the month of December with a workshop, elves and the natural mystery and wonder of being in such a spectacular natural phenomenon. To book, tel: 1890-245593.

Some venues have included a worthwhile charity element into the Santa experience.

At the Clanard Court Hotel in Athy, there’s a two-hour Magical Trail where children visit alpacas, donkeys, reindeer, sheep, geese and pygmy goats before getting a tour of Santa’s house from Mrs Clause.

This is best suited to very small children and it’s pricey, especially for larger families at €15 per child (including present) and €6 per adult. The “giving back” bonus is that during the month of December, the trail hopes to raise €20,000 to divide between the Jack Jill Children’s Foundation and Age Action Ireland.

If your children find visiting Santa a little scary – some do – a trip to the Phoenix Park in Dublin to spot Santa’s reindeer before they are pressed into service is a treat. And it’s free.

* To find out where on the tourist trail Santa can be found, see discoverireland.ie or discovernorthernireland.com.