Newbridge House & Farm — Attraction in Fingal

The park and grounds themselves are wonderful. We've been a few times, always lovely. However this review refers specifically to the farm. I would give zero stars if I could. We revisited the farm part for the 1st time in several years today, and it was depressing as hell. Dishevelled looking animals, some in over crowded enclosures, like in the shit stained walls of the "aviary". Or the 2 adult and 2 baby goats in an enclosure barely large enough to turn around. A donkey that 100% needs to see a vet. The saddest looking cow I've ever seen, inside a shed, bored, unattended and desperate. On that note, all the time we were there, not a single sight of a worker / carer. All the paddocks etc looked like they had not been cleaned for at least a day, I suspect a lot longer. Dirty straw, shit everywhere, and yes I know it's a farm. But anyone with a brain, can see when it's lack of care over a normal working farm. It was just awful, and I'm furious I helped fund it by paying for 3 massively over priced tickets for what you get by the way. It was a stark contrast to some years ago, pre-Covid when the animals looked well cared for, alert and engaging. I do not know what has happened? But I would plead with you not to fund / support this farm in it's current state. We left saddened and disheartened that we could do little to help the poor creatures being paraded out into awful conditions for idiots ( I include myself in that today ) to go and stare at. No staff, no sign of any care, and we have decided to never go to anything like this again. Main take away...

September 1st 2024. Paid a first (and last) visit to Newbridge Farm today with some visitors from the UK. The Walled Gardens were closed today and when we inquired as to why, we were told that an Abba tribute act were due to play there. However the advertising posters showed that this event wasn't due for another week. As we passed by the walls there was some form of activity taking place as we could hear someone shouting loudly within but it certainly wasn't a tribute band..Despite this closure there was no reduction in the entrance fee charged to compensate. The female toilets next to the 'tractor' were an absolute disgrace. Of the three one was 'Out of order'. The second couldn't be flushed and the third was sitting in a disgusting pool of water. If this is the best the present management can do then it's probably time for a complete re- think on...

Today our members went on an outing to Newbridge House and farm in Donabate in north county Dublin, the first such outing since the Pandemic began. The house is situated in beautiful countryside, and the period interior is kept in pristine condition, it contains all the paraphernalia of it’s time and the artwork is top class. Our guide for the day was a young lady, Niamh Reilly who gave us a brilliant insight as to how such a big house functioned in its day outlining the hierarchy of staff. Most importantly she was most knowledgable of the history of family who owned the house and whose current members sometimes reside there. The farm is still operational with a variety of animals to be seen, a beautiful Victorian walled garden, a playground for Children and a really nice cafe on site. The weather was also beautiful and this venue is highly...