A visit to Glendeer Pet Farm is a fantastic day out for all the family. There’s over 50 species of animals and birds to see, home made cakes to enjoy and in December the pet farm is transformed into Ireland’s answer to Lapland! The farm, which is near the N6 west of Athlone, is a six-acre open farm with over 50 species of animals and birds, a coffee shop with home made cakes etc. There are indoor and outdoor play and picnic areas, a restored 1850’s cottage, souvenir shop, nature walk and free coach and car parking. Children get a little bag of food to feed the animals as they make their way around the farm. The animals include llama, emu, ostrich, Vietnamese pot belly pigs, ponies, donkeys, three species of deer (including reindeer), Jacob sheep, goats, Jersey cow, Scottish Highland heifer, rabbits, guinea pigs, puppies, peacocks and other rare birds and domestic fowl. The children can also spend some time on slides, swings, seesaws and very popular glider swing while the adults enjoy a refreshing cup tea or coffee. For the month of December, Glendeer is transformed into Ireland’s Lapland with thousands of lights. Santa arrives by sleigh on the first evening which is Saturday the 1st at 5 pm. You can visit him with his live reindeer any evening up to December 23rd. Groups of 20 and over by appointment during the day. Self-catering accommodation is available on the farm during the summer. While staying in self-catering you have free access to the open farm. From Easter weekend to the end of September, Glendeer Pet Farm is open from Monday to Saturday 11 am to 6 pm and Sundays from 12 noon to 6 pm. In December Ireland’s Lapland is open from Monday to Friday, 5 pm to 8 pm and Sunday 3 pm to 8 pm. Groups of over 20 can visit by appointment during the day. To contact Glendeer Pet Farm, contact (090) 64 27147 or visit www.glendeer.com.
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