If you're already dreading the post-Easter slump when the kids are bouncing off the walls asking "what's next?", Emerald Park might just have the answer. The Ashbourne theme park is pulling out all the stops this April with not one but two exciting experiences that'll keep the family entertained well beyond the chocolate egg comedown.
First up is their beloved Hop & Hunt Easter extravaganza, returning from Thursday 2nd to Monday 6th April. But here's the real game-changer: they're launching something completely new called Emerald Park After Hours on Friday 18th April. Think date night vibes but with rollercoasters instead of restaurants.
Easter Egg Hunt Extraordinaire
Let's talk about Hop & Hunt first because it sounds like the kind of Easter activity that might actually tire the kids out properly. We're talking about one of Ireland's largest Easter egg hunts with over 12,000 chocolate eggs up for grabs. That's not a typo.
The setup is brilliant in its simplicity. You arrive, get handed a themed trail map, and off the kids go on an interactive adventure around the park collecting stamps at various locations. At the end? A delicious chocolate prize awaits, with the tantalising possibility of finding a special golden ticket surprise. It's like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory meets treasure hunt, and the kids will absolutely lose their minds over it.
But it's not just about the eggs. The event will include Easter-themed entertainment, arts and crafts, and games in their Big Top Tent, plus special animal experiences. Perfect for those of us who need the entertainment to last more than five minutes before someone starts asking if we're nearly done yet.
The best bit? Hop & Hunt is included with standard Emerald Park admission, so you're getting incredible value alongside access to all the usual attractions, zoo experiences, and family rides. No surprise add-on costs that make your wallet weep.
After Hours: For When You Need Adult Thrills
Now here's where things get interesting for us grown-ups who occasionally remember we're more than just taxi drivers and snack dispensers. Emerald Park After Hours will offer exclusive evening access to 12 high-energy attractions from 6:30pm to 10pm, all for just €25.
This isn't some watered-down experience either. You'll get access to the legendary Cú Chulainn Coaster (Europe's largest inverted wooden rollercoaster, in case you needed convincing), the ever-popular Viking Voyage, and attractions like Endeavour, The Rotator, Dino Dash, Flight School, Air Race, and Power Surge. Basically, all the rides that make your stomach flip in the best possible way.
The park is building on the success of their popular Halloween After Dark event, but this spring edition promises something completely different. There's something quite magical about experiencing these attractions as evening falls, without having to navigate around buggies and negotiate with overtired toddlers every five minutes.
You can grab food from the Argentinian Grill or Dino Bite, sweet treats from various cafés, or pick up souvenirs from the gift shop. It's like having the entire park to yourselves, which let's face it, is the stuff of parenting dreams.
Planning Your Emerald Park Adventures
Located just 20 minutes outside Dublin in Ashbourne, Co. Meath, Emerald Park is perfectly positioned for a day trip that doesn't involve hours of "are we there yet?" from the back seat. The Hop & Hunt experience runs from 11am to 4pm during the Easter holidays, giving you a solid chunk of entertainment time.
For the After Hours experience, last admission is 8pm, so you'll want to plan accordingly if you're arranging childcare. It's worth noting that this is explicitly a no-scare event, so you won't be jumping out of your skin at every turn.
Whether you're planning a family day out this Easter or looking for that rare thing called adult fun, April is shaping up to be pretty unmissable at Emerald Park. Tickets for both experiences are available now at EmeraldPark.ie.
Sometimes the best family days out are the ones where everyone gets something to look forward to. The kids get their chocolate-fuelled adventure, and you get the promise of grown-up thrills when bedtime rolls around. That sounds like a win-win to me.
