The Pirate Adventure Park at Westport House, Westport

We followed Google Maps to Pirate Adventure Park, which took us in the 'wrong' entrance, where there was a sign saying it's for house visitors only. So we drove for 20 minutes through the middle of Westport to get to the 'correct' entrance. Turns out it's literally the same car park, just the other side of a barrier. Then when you get in, there's no signage saying you have to go to the ticket office to get a wristband. This could at least be mentioned on the very lengthy booking confirmation email. Also, for a family of two adults and a three-year-old, we paid €70. For that price we expected a theme park, which is how this place is marketed. It is NOT a theme park, it's a small area with four rides, two of which are loosely pirate-themed. Our three-year-old was only big enough for two baby rides, even though his ticket cost €20, the same as what a teenager would pay. An older kid could probably just about get their money's worth if they spent all day on the log flume and the swing ride. Even still, the pricing is comparable to somewhere like Gulliver's Kingdom in England, which is an actual theme park with dozens of rides for all ages. There are two saving graces: one, the estate itself is beautiful (although entry to the house will cost you extra, yes I'm serious). And two, the staff are all absolutely lovely and very helpful, doing their best to make the most of this bizarre place that thinks it's a theme park but is really a stately home with rides. If the tickets were half the price, I'd be giving it five stars.

We drove 2 hours to get here only to be told they were closing early at 3pm because the ‘weather’, it’s wasn’t even raining. It’s advertised to be open until 8pm. We were told we had 30 minutes, to enjoy the park, but they would only give us a 10% discount, on what is already an extortionate price. Shocking service. Kids are gutted. We will never come back.