A visit to the magical new ‘Elf Training Camp’ Santa Experience at the GAA Museum in Croke Park is one Christmas list ‘goal’ not to be missed.
Santa and his elite team of elves from the North Pole are using GAA HQ as their base ahead of the busy Christmas season before starting preparations for the big ‘Final’ on Christmas Eve. Every helper at this Camp is a member of the North Pole GAA Club, which is the most Northerly and magical GAA club in the world.
Upon arrival at the GAA Museum, you’ll meet your Christmas Guide before you jingle on your merry way to the Elf Dressing Room where you can see the Elf stars togged out in their Christmas training gear. You will then sneak pitch side to the sound of cheering crowds for a Croke Park ‘Elfie’ opportunity.
You’ll also have time to ‘chill’ out in the GAA Igloo Clubhouse and you can test your own hurling, camogie and football skills in the North Pole Skills Zone. An All-Star Elf will even check your skills score card and will share some insider knowledge on which treats to leave out on Christmas eve for Santa and his reindeer.
Finally, all successful trainees will be rewarded with a visit to Santa, in his Grotto, where all children will receive an age-appropriate gift.
The Santa Experience also includes free admission to the GAA Museum, where visitors can see the original Sam Maguire and Liam MacCarthy cups and discover two floors of interactive exhibits which chart the journey of Gaelic games from ancient times to the present day. Younger visitors can also pick up their Junior Explorer passport and follow a specially-designed children’s route through the museum.
After working up an appetite, finish off the perfect day with light refreshments and a festive snack in the museum’s Blackthorn Café. And before you leave, you can even pick up a stocking filler reminder of your big day in the GAA Museum Gift Shop.
Santa and his elves will arrive at the GAA Museum on Saturday November 23 and there’s the chance to visit on select dates until Monday, December 23. Dates sell quickly, and pre-booking online is essential to avoid disappointment.
The Santa Experience lasts approximately one hour and tickets are priced at €10 for adults, €16 for children 2 years and over, and €8 for children aged 13-23 months. Children under 1 go free. The event is both wheelchair and buggy accessible, and there is free parking adjacent to the GAA Museum which is located on the Cusack Stand side of the stadium (entry off the Clonliffe Road via St Joseph’s Avenue).
For dates, tour times and booking, see www.crokepark.ie/santa
