Christmas 2026 · Co. Galway
Santa, by the fire, in a real Georgian manor.
No queue, no shopping centre, no plastic grotto. Two families at a time, a story with Mrs Claus, and your own visit with Santa in the drawing room at Ballinderry Park.
Ballinderry Park, Kilconnell. This is the front door you will knock on.
The visit
Four rooms. One very good evening.
The manor is Georgian, and it has never needed much help to feel like Christmas. We light the fires, dress the tree, and let the rooms do the rest.
The front door, by lantern
Lanterns up the steps, a wreath on the door, and an elf in the hall with the list. Hot chocolate for the children and something warmer for you, in the hall.
A story with Mrs Claus
In the library, among the books. She reads, the children settle, and the biscuits go round. Nobody is hurried on.
The elves’ workshop
Round the long table in the dining room. A letter to write, a parcel to wrap, a decoration to make and take home for the tree.
Santa, by the fire
Your family on your own with Santa in the drawing room. He knows their names. A wrapped gift for each child, and a photograph to keep.
Book your visit
Nine days. Two families at a time.
That is fewer than five hundred families all season, so the good times go early. Tap a day, pick a time, tell Santa who is coming. About two minutes, and your time is held while you pay.
The Santa sleepover
See Santa. Then stay in the manor.
Add a night in the manor to any visit, the night before or the night of. A family room, a fire lit in the drawing room after the last visitors have gone, and a proper breakfast in the morning. It means you can come from Dublin, Cork or Belfast and not drive home in the dark.
On Saturday 5 and Sunday 20 December, Santa comes down to breakfast.
Add a night as you bookGood to know
Before you come.
- How long is the visit?
- About 75 minutes from the front door to the last wave. Your time with Santa is private to your family and is not rushed.
- What is included?
- Hot chocolate on arrival, the story with Mrs Claus, the elves’ workshop, your private visit with Santa, a wrapped age-appropriate gift for every child and one printed photograph per family. You are welcome to take your own photos too.
- How many families are there at once?
- Two families start every 15 minutes, so the manor never feels busy and Santa sees one family at a time.
- Can we stay the night?
- Yes, on any visit date: the night before, or the night of your visit. A family room in the manor is €295 bed and breakfast and sleeps up to 4, with cots free. On the two Santa sleepover nights, Santa joins breakfast the next morning. Add it as you book.
- Is there a sensory-friendly session?
- Yes. Friday 18 December is a quieter evening with fewer families, low lighting, no music and no waiting. Tell us anything that would help when you book.
- Is the manor accessible?
- The whole visit happens on the ground floor. Tell us when you book and we will plan the easiest way in and around for you.
- What if we need to change our time?
- Change free of charge up to seven days before, subject to availability. Inside seven days we will always try. If we have to cancel for weather, you choose a new time or a full refund.
- Where are you?
- Ballinderry Park, Kilconnell, Co. Galway. Under an hour from Galway city, about half an hour from Athlone and fifteen minutes from Ballinasloe. Parking is at the manor.