‘I went to the Wonderlights in Malahide Castle

‘I went to the Wonderlights in Malahide Castle - and it was breathtaking’

Wonderlights has returned to Malahide Castle and Gardens with a brand new lights spectacle enchanting visitors this festive season.

Its current show, ‘The Night Sky’ is running until the 3 January 2023 and consists of a 1.8 kilometre walking trail, complete with a vast mixture of flaring lights, depictions of nature and sound effects.

I booked tickets for a slot at 8pm, one of the last scheduled time slots of the night, and it did not disappoint. I was struck instantly by the colours even before commencing the walk, as the welcome sign itself beams down on visitors.

The spectacular entrance (Róisín Butler)

Although we showed up 45 minutes before the booking time I selected, the main courtyard is filled with a range of food stalls to keep people occupied. Benches are scattered across the area for hungry diners, with toasted sandwiches, tasty pizzas and plenty of sweet treats on offer.

Festive folk can also try some mulled wine, although it does cost a hefty €8 per cup. The hot chocolates proved to be a more affordable option, as a standard cup with marshmallows totalled €3.90.

A standard hot chocolate with marshmallows (Róisín Butler)

Kids could also purchase light-up toys for roughly €10 to bring with them on the enthralling experience. However, there is little need for add-ons as the lights were truly spectacular.

This year’s theme revolved around the solar system and the magical role the night sky plays in our perception of the universe. There were many colourful flairs of lights from start to finish on the walking route.

However, the lit-up animals were equally impressive attractions. There were polar bears, foxes, reindeer and even unicorns on offer to showcase the beauty of nature to visitors.

One of numerous animal designs on the grounds (Róisín Butler)

One of the most impressive parts of the spectacle was an immersive audio-visual display near the beginning of the route. Haunting silhouettes and designs were beamed on to the wall of an old house located within the grounds, accompanied by a voice over that regaled visitors about the beauty of the night sky.

The attraction is ideal for families but also appeals to couples, friend groups and even those who wish to visit on their own. Entry times begin every 15 minutes from dusk onwards, with selected dates available until January 3 2023.

Tickets cost €20 for adults, while a discounted fee for OAPs and students is up for grabs at €16.50. Further information is available on the Wonderlights website.

The attraction is also offering a 15% discount on tickets for post-Christmas visits right up until the close of the show. Just enter promo code POSTXMAS when booking tickets.

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