What funfairs are on in Dublin?
Dublin has no permanent funfair, but it regularly hosts several travelling funfairs. The most famous funfair in Dublin is Funderland, a large event that appears at the RDS during winter and sometimes in other seasons. You can also find smaller, temporary fairs during city festivals like St. Patrick's Day.
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Funderland: Dublin's biggest travelling funfair
Short answer: Funderland is the largest and most well-known funfair that visits Dublin, usually during the winter and sometimes in spring or summer at venues like the RDS.
When people think of a funfair in Dublin, they're almost always thinking of Funderland. It's a massive travelling event that has been a part of Dublin's Christmas tradition for over 40 years. It brings a huge collection of rollercoasters, thrill rides, and family attractions to the city for a limited time.
Winter Funderland at the RDS
The main event is Winter Funderland, held at the Royal Dublin Society (RDS) in Ballsbridge. It usually runs from mid-December to early January. This indoor and outdoor event features everything from high-octane rides for teenagers to smaller carousels for young children. It also includes an ice rink and a continental food market, making it a complete festive day out.
Other Funderland events
While the winter event is the most consistent, Funderland sometimes appears at other times of the year. In the past, they have held spring or summer events at different locations. It's always a good idea to check their official website for the latest dates and locations, as these can change from year to year.
Are there other funfairs in Dublin?
Short answer: Yes, smaller funfairs and pop-up attractions often appear as part of larger city festivals or in local communities, though they are less frequent and smaller than Funderland.
Beyond the big Funderland events, you'll find other opportunities for funfair fun, though on a smaller scale. These are typically tied to specific holidays or local celebrations. They don't have the giant rollercoasters, but they offer a great atmosphere.
Festival and seasonal fairs
During major city-wide events like the St. Patrick's Festival in March, a funfair is often set up in the city centre. These are temporary and offer a more limited selection of rides, usually focusing on family-friendly attractions like a Ferris wheel, waltzers, and hook-a-duck stalls. Local summer festivals in Dublin's suburbs might also feature a small handful of rides.
Pop-up attractions
Occasionally, smaller travelling funfairs will set up in local parks or car parks for a week or two, especially during school holidays. These are advertised locally with signs and posters. They're a good option for an hour or two of fun with younger kids without the crowds and scale of the larger events.
How much does a funfair visit cost?
Short answer: Costs vary, but expect an admission fee of around €3-€5, with individual rides costing €4-€6 each. All-you-can-ride wristbands are often available for about €35-€50 and can offer better value.
Budgeting for a funfair trip is important because costs can add up quickly. Most larger fairs in Dublin operate on a pay-as-you-go system or offer an unlimited ride option.
Admission vs. ride costs
Most fairs charge a small admission fee just to enter the grounds. This fee, typically under €5, does not include any rides. Once inside, you must buy tickets or tokens for each attraction. Individual rides usually cost between 10 and 12 tokens, with token value being around 50 cents each. This means a single ride can cost €5-€6.
Are the wristbands worth it?
For teenagers and thrill-seekers who want to go on many rides, the unlimited ride wristband is almost always the best value. If you plan on going on more than 7 or 8 rides, the wristband pays for itself. For families with very young children who will only go on a few small rides, or for adults who are just accompanying them, it's cheaper to buy individual ride tokens.
Tips for your visit
Short answer: Plan ahead by checking height restrictions online, decide on your budget before you arrive, and remember that the food and game stalls are a big part of the experience.
A little planning goes a long way to making your funfair visit smooth and enjoyable. Knowing what to expect can save you time, money, and frustration.
Visiting with young children
If you have small kids, the day is all about managing expectations. A good rule of thumb is to check height restrictions online before you go, especially with younger kids, to avoid disappointment at the gate. Many of the bigger rides have a minimum height of 1.2 or 1.3 meters. Go earlier in the day to avoid the biggest crowds and the long queues that can be tough for little ones.
What to expect from the food and games
The funfair experience isn't just about the rides. The food stalls and carnival games are a classic part of the fun. You'll find candy floss, hot dogs, and doughnuts, but expect to pay a premium. The games like ring toss or hook-a-duck are rarely easy to win, so treat them as a bit of fun rather than a serious attempt to win a giant prize.
Pros and cons of Dublin funfairs
Short answer: The main pros are the exciting atmosphere and variety of rides, while the cons include high costs, large crowds, and the fact that they are temporary and weather-dependent.
| Pro | Con |
|---|---|
| Provides a wide variety of rides for all ages. | Can be very expensive, especially for a family. |
| The atmosphere is often festive and exciting. | Extremely weather-dependent for outdoor events. |
| It's a great social outing for teenagers and groups. | Can get extremely crowded, leading to long queues. |
| Events like Funderland are a long-standing tradition. | They are temporary and not available year-round. |
| Offers more than just rides, with food and games available. | Food, drinks, and games are often overpriced. |
Common funfair mistakes to avoid
Short answer: The most common mistakes are ignoring height restrictions before you go, buying the wrong ticket type, and visiting at crowded peak times.
- Ignoring height restrictions: Don't promise a child they can go on a specific ride before checking the height rules. It's the fastest way to cause tears. Always check online first.
- Buying the wrong ticket type: Families often waste money by buying wristbands for everyone when only the teenagers will use them enough. Do a quick calculation: if someone will go on fewer than 8 rides, individual tokens are usually cheaper.
- Going at peak times: Arriving on a Saturday afternoon guarantees the longest lines. Try to visit on a weekday if possible, or right when it opens on a weekend, to get on the popular rides before the big crowds arrive.
- Forgetting cash: While many vendors now take cards, some smaller game stalls or food carts may be cash-only. It's smart to bring a small amount of cash just in case.
Alternatives to a funfair
Short answer: Good alternatives include Emerald Park for a full theme park experience, Dublin Zoo for a relaxed family day, and indoor activity centres for rainy days.
If there isn't a funfair in town or you're looking for something different, Dublin and its surroundings have other great options for a family day out.
- Emerald Park: Located in County Meath, this is Ireland's only theme park and zoo. It's a permanent attraction with rollercoasters and a zoo, making it a great alternative if you want a full-day experience. It's better for a planned big day out.
- Dublin Zoo: A classic family day out in the Phoenix Park. It's less about thrill rides and more about animals and a relaxed atmosphere. This is a better choice for families with younger children who aren't interested in fast rides.
- Indoor activity centres: For a rainy day, places like Jump Zone or local play centres offer hours of fun without worrying about the weather. They are best for keeping energetic kids active when an outdoor funfair isn't an option.
Quick recap
- Dublin's main funfair is the travelling Funderland, which usually appears at the RDS in winter.
- Smaller fairs pop up during festivals like the St. Patrick's Festival.
- Budgeting is key: decide between pay-per-ride tokens or an unlimited wristband based on how many rides you'll go on.
- Always check height restrictions online before you go to avoid disappointing younger children.
- For a guaranteed day of rides, Emerald Park is the closest permanent theme park.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a permanent funfair in Dublin?
No, Dublin does not have a permanent funfair or theme park. All funfairs, including the popular Funderland, are temporary travelling events that set up for a few weeks at a time.
How much does Funderland cost?
Costs can change each year, but you can typically expect a small entry fee (around €3) and then pay for rides. Individual rides cost about €4-€6 worth of tokens. Unlimited ride wristbands are usually available for around €35-€50.
What age is Funderland suitable for?
Funderland caters to a wide range of ages. There are gentle carousels and small attractions for toddlers and young children, as well as large rollercoasters and thrill rides designed for teenagers and adults.
Where is the biggest funfair in Ireland?
Funderland is considered the largest travelling funfair in Ireland. When it sets up for its winter season at the RDS in Dublin, it is the biggest funfair event in the country at that time. The only permanent theme park is Emerald Park in County Meath.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a permanent funfair in Dublin?
A: No, Dublin does not have a permanent funfair. The city instead hosts several excellent travelling funfairs at different times of the year, with the largest and most well-known being Funderland at the RDS. You can also find smaller, temporary fairs set up for events like the St. Patrick's Festival or in local parks during school holidays, but there is no single year-round location for funfair rides.
How much does a day at a funfair dublin cost?
A: The cost varies, but you should budget for admission fees and the price of rides. Most fairs charge a small entry fee of around €3 to €5, and then individual rides typically cost between €4 and €6 each. For better value, especially for teenagers, all-you-can-ride wristbands are often available for approximately €35 to €50, which is more economical if you plan on enjoying more than seven or eight different attractions during your visit.
Is a Funderland wristband worth the money?
A: A wristband is worth the money if you plan on going on a lot of rides. The unlimited ride wristband is almost always the best value for thrill-seekers who will go on more than eight attractions, as it pays for itself. However, for families with very young children who will only go on a few small rides, or for adults who are just accompanying them, it is cheaper to buy individual ride tokens as you need them.
What are the main things to watch out for at Dublin funfairs?
A: The biggest things to watch out for are ride height restrictions and visiting during busy peak times. It is very important to check the height rules online before you go to avoid disappointing children, as many of the bigger rides have a minimum height requirement of 1.2 or 1.3 meters. Arriving on a Saturday afternoon will almost guarantee the longest queues, so try to visit earlier in the day or on a weekday to avoid the biggest crowds.