Would you pay €34 to see Santa?

Big differences in prices to see the big man in red

HOW much would you be willing to shell out for your child to meet Santa?

Today, a special survey undertaken by the Irish Daily Mail looks at the varying costs involved in seeing jolly old Saint Nick – from the budgetpriced grottos on Cork’s Patrick Street, to the €34-perchild charge facing parents at the Aillwee Caves in Co. Clare.

IT’S that time of year when parents want their little ones to get a glimpse of Santa before he pops back to the North Pole for his Christmas Day deliveries.

But an Irish Daily Mail survey has revealed that the costs involved can vary enormously, with some trips to see Father Christmas costing as little as €5, while others will set you back almost €35.

If a photo of your loved ones perched on Santa’s knee in a shopping centre floats your festive boat, then you’ll end up paying either nothing or very little. If, however, a more full-on festive experience is more to your liking, then you’ll expect to pay more.

So far, it would appear that for venues that charge for the pleasure of meeting Santa, Dunnes Stores on Cork’s Patrick Street and Dublin’s Ilac Centre are among the cheapest. That said, places including Kildare Farm Foods Open Farm in Co. Kildare and Arnotts on Henry Street, Dublin, offer you the chance to see Santa for nothing.

In the case of the iconic Arnotts store, you can avoid a long queue by taking advantage of the ‘Santa Q’ ticketing system that texts you 30 minutes before it’s your turn to see him.

Cork is one of the cheapest places to see Santa. While The Santa Experience at Griffins, Co. Cork, will cost €23 for your first child, adults can go in for free.

At the Aillwee Caves in Co. Clare, a child’s ticket to see Santa is €34 while adults pay €16. Manager Nuala Mulqueeney defended the ticket price by pointing to the scale of the attraction which employs more than 100 elves.

She told the Mail: ‘All of the children’s visits to Santa are personalised and this really is what makes the difference.

‘Santa has information particular to each child and he really is delighted to have the time to catch up with everyone from year to year.’

‘All children’s visits are personalised’