A working farm turned wildlife park near Curraghchase, where lemurs, meerkats, alpacas and wallabies share the fields with picnic tables, indoor play areas and nature trails. It is a relaxed, hands-on family half-day about 20 minutes from Limerick city.
Stonehall's ongoing conservation work centres on the lesser horseshoe bat, which has grown from around 20 bats in 2006 to 81 in 2012. The colony lives in a preserved cottage in the park and is monitored by bat experts each year.
The park hosts a wide variety of wild and domestic animals from around the world, including llamas, alpacas, ostriches, emus, rheas, wallabies, meerkats, ring-tailed lemurs and a large collection of parrots and birds of prey. Feeding and viewing is spread across the grounds, so allow time to walk the whole circuit.
An indoor area takes the weather out of the day: meet chipmunks, chinchillas, parrots and Speedy, the resident leopard tortoise. It is a good stop when a shower passes over.
A purpose-built indoor play area with a bouncy castle, ride-on go-karts and tractors for children, plus picnic tables where adults can sit. All of this is included in the entrance fee; the play area is for children under 10.
Trails run along the wooded edge of the farm, where you may spot a red squirrel, wild flowers, native trees and other wildlife. The trails are wheelchair friendly.
Bring your own picnic and eat at tables in the play area or in the grounds, or take afternoon tea in the traditional-style tea rooms, which serve teas, coffees, lattes, a range of 12-inch pizzas and confectionery.
Parties cost no more than the normal admission per person: tables are reserved for you, party slots run 11am-1pm or 1.30-3.30pm, and you bring your own food. School tours, scouts, guides and other groups should book by phone on 087 9093286.
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