Emerald Park might not be the biggest theme park in Europe, but for coaster fans it’s quietly becoming a must-visit. I did it as a day trip from the UK: flying out of Stansted early morning, landing in Dublin, and flying home that evening. From the airport, a taxi to the park cost around €60 each way — split between four of us, it worked out at about £27 each for a 30-minute journey. If you want to save, you can do the same trip on two buses for as little as €8 return, though at the expense of time.
The day started in the best possible way — our group had secured Early Ride Time on The Cú Chulainn Coaster. For 30 glorious minutes the wooden giant was ours, and we managed 12 back-to-back rides without leaving the station. Honestly, it set the tone for the whole day.
Ride Highlights & Ratings
The Cú Chulainn Coaster — 10/10
This ride alone justifies the trip. Comparable with the likes of Wodan at Europa-Park or Troy at Toverland, it’s relentless from the first drop and just keeps going. The unique 90-degree corner is unlike anything else I’ve ridden, but the whole layout flows so well that I found myself laughing through every lap.
- Front row: unbelievably exposed, the track stretching ahead as you crest each hill.
- Back row: a complete airtime machine, especially getting whipped over the lift hill and drops.
Simply put, Cú Chulainn is the heart and soul of Emerald Park.
Na Fianna Force — 8/10
This new suspended thrill coaster is buttery smooth and wonderfully intense. Think Nemesis, but with lap bars instead of restrictive over-the-shoulder restraints. The comfort makes a huge difference, and I loved the fluid motion of its three inversions. I only rode it once during the day due to queues (just one train running), but I’d happily queue again for more.
The Quest — 6/10
A family boomerang coaster that intertwines with Na Fianna Force in the new Tír na nÓg area. It’s not intense — and it’s not meant to be. As a family coaster, it does its job well, with the duelling visuals of both tracks twisting together.
Viking Voyage — 10/10
If you know Valhalla at Blackpool, imagine the Irish outdoor version. You will get soaked — three drops, plenty of splashes, and no hiding spots in the boat. The theming is solid, and I liked the fact they provide off-ride (unattended) bag storage to keep valuables dry. Definitely one of the most fun water rides I’ve been on in Europe.
Final Thoughts
Looking back, I spent most of my day re-riding the coasters, especially Cú Chulainn. That ride alone makes Emerald Park worth the trip — it’s unique, thrilling, and endlessly re-rideable. With the addition of Tír na nÓg, the park has proved it can offer serious steel to complement its wooden legend.
For me, this was the perfect one-day adventure. I’ll absolutely return — but only if Cú Chulainn is running, because that coaster is the beating heart of Emerald Park.