Wild Encounters Mini Zoo

16/11/2024

A little sneak peak....

Preparations are now well underway for our Christmas experiences here at the Mini Zoo with table decor for our 'Breakfast with Santa' and Christmas scenes being finalised! The Wild Hart Cafe & Restaurant is starting to look super festive now! 😊 We still have availability for our Breakfast with Santa sessions and our Meet & Greets with Santa but certain dates on the breakfast especially are proving more popular and starting to fill!

If you fancy booking with us then check availability and book via the link here www.wildencounters.ie/christmas.

ASD friendly Meet & Greets with Santa on the 30th Nov! 😊

15/11/2024

Yum! 😍

14/11/2024

November is the month of deals here at the Mini Zoo and this weekend brings a new deal! :-)

This weekend (16th and 17th Nov), all children paying entry to the Mini Zoo get a free kid's burger meal at the Wild Hart Cafe & Restaurant! That's lunch sorted for the kids anyway! :-)

T+C’s apply. Offer only valid for the weekend of 16th and 17th Nov. Only valid during daytime Mini Zoo hours. Offer applicable to 1 free kid's burger meal per child paying general admission entry to the Mini Zoo. Offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offers or discounts.

Mini Zoo Open from 11am-4pm (last entry 3pm)

13/11/2024

COME AND MEET SANTA AT THE MINI ZOO THIS YEAR

We have 'Breakfast with Santa'. Recommended for ages 3yrs+. A truely indulgent morning starting with a magnificent breakfast of sausages, rashers, pudding, hash browns, potato squares, pancakes, syrup, waffles, muffins, chocolate sauce and fruit. Have fun with the elves and fill out your letters to Santa whilst you fill your bellies, and even possibly sneak in a chat with the main man himself while he wanders around chatting to his guests. After breakfast, you will get to visit our North Pole post office to post your letters, meet the elves hard at work making some toys in the workshop, before getting on the sleigh for a photo opportunity with your family & friends. One by one each group will then get to meet Santa for a more personal and intimate meeting and tell him about all the wonderful things you are hoping to get at Christmas, and Santa will have a gift to give to the children. As part of your morning you are also free to wander round the Mini Zoo, play on the outdoor play area and look out for the animals living here while waiting for/after your private meet and greet with Santa. There will also be some animal petting time after breakfast with one or two of the animal keepers for you to meet some of the fluffy bunnies and guineapigs from Fitz's Farm.

We also have our 'Santa Meet & Greet Experience' which is great for all ages, where you'll get to meet Santa and his happy elves along with visiting the rest of the Mini Zoo if you wish. Write your letters to Santa with the help of his elves in Santa's Toyshop and post them in the North Pole letterbox. Take a seat in Santa's sleigh and pose for a photo if you wish before heading on in to meet Santa himself, tell him all your Christmas wishes and have a picture with him. Includes a present for kids and entry to the Mini Zoo and animal petting time with the bunnies and guineapigs during daylight hours (those with later Santa slot bookings will have the advantage of more effective Christmas lighting in the decorations but are recommended to arrive 3pm or before if you wish to wander the Mini Zoo/have small animal petting time as part of your experience). Festive themed food available to purchase from the cafe also.

ASD Friendly Meet and Greet Sessions available too on 30th Nov. Check website for details of how we've made them more suitable!

Available by prebooking only! Book your experience with us at https://www.wildencounters.ie/christmas

We can't wait to see you all! 🙂

12/11/2024

Take a gander at our deliciously indulgent 'Breakfast with Santa' serving! A feast of sausages, bacon, hash browns, crispy potato chunks, black and white pudding, pancakes, waffles, muffins, fruit, golden syrup, chocolate sauce along with orange juice, tea, coffee and hot chocolate! (portion pictured is based on a serving for family of 4). If this doesn't make you want to book breakfast with Santa with us then we don't know what will! 😋🔥🥵

Check availability for our breakfast with Santa and santa meet and greets and book now at wildencounters.ie/christmas ASD Friendly Meet and Greet Sessions available on 30th Nov.

09/11/2024

Thanks so much for the mention and great words for the Wild Hart Cafe & Restaurant evening menu at the Mini Zoo! We're so happy you had an awesome experience with us!

Our Family Platter is a great cost effective solution to having a night out (or night in) with the family. For only €39 you get:
4 x quarter pounder burgers
4 x sausages
4 x crispy chicken goujons
4 x onion rings
2 x large portions of chips
2 choices of dip

A fabulous sharing feast to have with family or amongst friends, available for dine in or takeaway weds-sat evenings! Other menu options available too if that doesn't tickle your pickle! (Check the Wild Hart Cafe & Restaurant's social pages for details) 😋

Evening restaurant open from 5pm tonight (kitchen closes 8.30pm). Bring a bottle or two of your favourite wine or beer to have with your meal. Walk ins welcome but feel free to get in touch if you'd like to reserve a table with the restaurant on 0874304860

07/11/2024

ASD FRIENDLY MEET & GREET WITH SANTA SESSIONS ADDED!

Due to popular request, we have added ASD Friendly Meet & Greet Sessions with Santa at the Mini Zoo on Saturday Nov 30th!

Here's what we've changed to make these sessions more Autism friendly!
-We use soft lights and no flashing or flickering lights
-We keep any music to a low level
-We reduce the noise level of the elves in the experience
-We allow more time for groups to transition to the next area
-Our elves and Santa will be briefed to accommodate each group
-Our elves and Santa will follow the pace of the group, being as chatty or interactive as each group requires
-Each time slot is a private experience, it will be just you and your family/booked group meeting Santa etc.
-We will take information on your needs at the booking request stage. We want to make sure our experience is the right one for your requirements and so to ensure this we will give you a phone call to discuss your requirements further and make sure it is something we would be able to accomodate before confirming the booking. Your card will not be charged until your booking has been confirmed by us. If you would like to discuss any details prior to requesting a booking slot you can give us a call on 061 974951 where we would only be too happy to chat further about our experience!

You can find information and availability on all of our Santa experiences here at the Mini Zoo at https://www.wildencounters.ie/christmas including our meet & greets and breakfast with santa!

06/11/2024

ENTRY FOR A FIVER THIS WEEKEND!
That's right! For this weekend (9th and 10th Nov), general admission entry will ONLY be €5 per person to the Mini Zoo! What an excuse to make a little trip out to us if it's been on your list for a while! An absolute DEAL for a fun day out! 😁

🐍🦝🐢🦚🐇🦃🦜🦎🕷🐣🐰🐷🦉

T+C’s apply. Offer only valid for the weekend of 9th and 10th Nov. Offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offers or discounts. Under 2yrs free entry.

Open from 11am-4pm (last entry 3pm)

05/11/2024

Now that Halloween is done and out the way work begins on our Christmas experience here at the Mini Zoo for 2024! So. Many. Christmas. Trees. 🥵 Haha!

Looking for the perfect Christmas experience for your family this year? Check our two experiences out at https://www.wildencounters.ie/christmas. You can check details, availability and even book online through the link. Or you can give us a call, book and pay over the phone to avoid the online booking system fee! :-) some dates are filling up fast so do get in touch if you want to book to see Santa with us! :-)

04/11/2024

03/11/2024

We've had a lot of queries asking if the restaurant is inside or outdoors! Rest assured it is indeed fully enclosed with the heating on during these cooler evenings, meaning you can enjoy a relaxed and comfortable meal with us whatever the weather! 😊

The restaurant is back open again Weds - Sat from 6pm! Make a plan to dine with us this week! 😊

02/11/2024

Its getting closer and closer until Santa himself will be here at the Mini Zoo this Christmas! Who's excited!?!? We know we sure are as Santa's elves have been busily dropping off supplies for the main man's visit! 🎅🏻🎄🎁⛄

Why not join us this festive season and get into the holiday spirit with family and friends on the lead up to the big day with one of our two Santa Experiences!

- Breakfast with Santa (recommended for 3yrs+)
- Meet & Greet With Santa (suitable for all child ages)

For more information on each of the experiences including pricing, availability and booking etc please visit our website (link address in comments)

01/11/2024

Remember guys we're currently offering 10% off during our evening dining at the Wild Hart Cafe & Restaurant (). A perfect excuse to spend the evening with us and don't forget to bring a bottle of your favourite wine or beer to have while you enjoy your meal! (Hot and soft drinks available to purchase in house)

Show this post to one of the servers to redeem your discount. Get in touch if you'd like to reserve a table for tonight or tomorrow on 0874304860. Open from 6pm tonight and 5pm tomorrow. Last hot food orders 8.30pm. See you all soon. :-)

31/10/2024

Happy Halloween from all of us at Wild Encounters Mini Zoo and Wild Hart Cafe & Restaurant! 👻🎃🦇

Asia the Burmese python and friends have been out and about all week for our creepy and scaly encounters for a bit of animal themed Halloween fun! It's on at 2.45pm if you did fancy adding a little extra to your spooky day before the trick or treating this evening begins! We have a few light hearted decorations around the place to add to the theme! 😊 Halloween costumes are more than welcome to be worn by our young (or older) guests if they wish! 😊

And if you're looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of trick or treating this evening then our cafe & restaurant will be open from 6pm with a frighteningly delicious menu at not so scary prices for dine in or takeaway! 😋 Come check it out at the Wild Hart Cafe & Restaurant!

30/10/2024

Available on the evening dining menu at the Wild Hart Cafe & Restaurant! Come check it out, it's absolutely mouthwatering delicious!

Try our mouthwatering double bacon cheeseburger! Two 4oz beef burgers, bacon, cheese, lettuce, tomato and onion rings all sandwiched between a brioche bun. Chips and house slaw accompany this absolute beast of a burger and is guaranteed to leave you satisfied! At only €14 it's an absolute bargain! Plenty of other menu options too if that doesn't tickle your fancy. The Cafe & Restaurant is open tonight through to Saturday from 6pm (5pm Sat) for dine in or takeaway! Bring a bottle of wine or beer to have with your meal and come give us a try! Last orders for hot food at 8.30pm.

30/10/2024

Draco didn't want to miss out on the Halloween fun this week! 😂

29/10/2024

Winter is always a harder time of year for places like us. Not as many visitors are coming in due to the colder and more erratic weather, but the costs for us remain the same or even higher with so many animals to keep fed and warm! Did you know though by coming and eating out or getting takeaway from our newly designed evening menu at the Wild Hart Cafe & Restaurant you can still help to bring in the vital funds we need to keep doing what we do! You get a delicious meal in our cosy indoor restaurant area whilst also supporting the care of the animals that live here whatever the weather outside may be! Bring a bottle of your favourite wine or beer along to have with your meal and make an evening of it! AND as an extra bonus, we're giving you 10% off your evening meal! Just show this post to the wait staff to redeem your discount! Valid on evening menu only until 16th Nov. Please note the mini zoo itself is closed during the evening dining. For more info on evening dining with us such as our menu, opening times, reservations etc please follow our Wild Hart Cafe social media pages on facebook and instagram and get in touch! :-) and please share the post so we can get the word out to as many as possible 😊

28/10/2024

The Mini Zoo is open every day of the mid term from 11am-4pm (last entry 3pm). Along with the other daily keeper talks, come meet some of our reptiles and bugs every day at 2.45pm. A great activity alongside this Spooky week! :-D