Kathryn Holmquist was impressed when she took her family to try the rides at the National Aquatic Centre, which opened in Dublin this week
It might only be a day out, but it feels like a mini holiday when you step into the National Aquatic Centre, Europe's largest indoor water park.
Built at a cost of €62 million by Dublin Waterworld and Campus Stadium Ireland Development, the National Aquatic Centre has the wow factor that makes the children speechless as soon as they see the stunning building.
Looking like a mother ship, the west Dublin centre was designed by Scott Wallace of S&P. It is signposted from the M50 Blanchardstown exit.
Some 20,000 people of all ages have passed through since the opening, on Monday, coming from as far away as Cork and Mullingar. They spent an average of two and a half hours in the water. There are eight rides. The king of them all is the Master Blaster, the type of water roller coaster voted America's best thrill ride three years in a row. Imagine being swallowed by a serpent, then being propelled through 150 metres of tunnel, only to be spat out at the end, and you've got the idea. "Super freaky" is my family's verdict.
Other rides snaking through the park include the Dark Hole Flume, a terrifying 150-metre water slide in complete darkness, and the Green Giant Flume, also 150 metres, which rushes you along as you sit on a tube. The Flow Rider is a surfing machineand the Wave Pool reproduces metre-high waves that sweep swimmers off their feet. The park is supervised by 17 lifeguards at all times. You must be at least 1.1 metres tall - or three feet, seven inches - to go on the rides.
For toddlers, there's a beach, an imaginative pirate's ship and other gentle activities. An unexpected attraction was the walk-in family dryer where an entire family can dry off in hot air, under heat lamps and without the use of towels, for the cost of €2 extra.
Clean, efficient and friendly is the best way to describe the atmosphere, where eight-month-olds smiled as broadly as 80-year-olds and the ever-vigilant lifeguards ensured that overexcited teenagers got up to no nonsense.
Opening hours 11 a.m.-10 p.m. from Monday to Friday and 10 a.m.-10 p.m. at the weekend. The queues start before opening, so be prepared to wait 30 minutes for admission.
Cost Off peak (Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.) €25.60 for two adults and two children or €9 per adult and €7 per concession (children, students and OAPs). Peak (all weekend and after 3 p.m. from Monday to Friday) €30.60 for two adults and two children or €10 per adult and €8 per concession. The competition pool costs €7 per adult and €5 per concession, 6 a.m.-9.30 a.m. from Monday to Friday.
Membership €1,200 per family of four, including use of the gym - junior and individual memberships have already sold out.
Concessions Community groups can apply for discounts through the community-access programme of Campus Stadium Ireland Development, the landlords of the aquacentre, which is run by a private company, Dublin Waterworld.
Dining A bagel restaurant sells a filled-bagel and drink for €7.45. A burger restaurant offers a kid's meal of burger, fries and cola for €4. Chip butties are €3.35; soda machines charge €1.50. Doner kebabs are €4.95.
Location National Aquatic Centre, Snugborough Road, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15, 01-6464300, www.nac.ie