Date

29th November 2025 to 14th December 2025

Itinerary

Dublin - Maynooth & return

Price

TBC

The Santa Special is a return journey by vintage train from Dublin Connolly, with an on-board visit from Santa, to tell him your Christmas wishes, and selection box gifts for children. There will be plenty of opportunity for photographs with the man in red beside the train.

As usual, Santa and musicians will be passing through the train. There will be mince pies and mulled wine available from the dining car.

The train will be made up of steam locomotives No.131 or No.171 "Slieve Gullion" hauling our heritage coaching stock, complete with the usual facilities of snack car serving a variety of hot and cold items throughout the day alongside our renowned bar car with draught and craft beer available.

Note: The evening train will have the same experience, but hauled by a diesel locomotive.

The whole trip lasts around 2 hours.

PLEASE READ - Answers to Important Questions

Departing Dublin Connolly
(Approximate times - will be updated as soon as confirmed)
Date Train
Depart
Locomotive  Tickets
Sat 29-Nov 1 10:00
Steam
 
2 13:30
Steam
 
3 16:20
Diesel
 
Sun 30-Nov 4 10:10
Steam
 
5 13:30
Steam
 
6 16:20
Diesel
 
Sat 06-Dec 7 10:00
Steam
 
8 13:30
Steam
 
9 16:20
Diesel
 
Sun 07-Dec 10 10:10
Steam
 
11 13:30
Steam
 
12 16:20
Diesel
 
Sat 13-Dec 13 10:00
Steam
 
14 13:30
Steam
 
15 16:20
Diesel
 
Sun 14-Dec 16 10:10
Steam
 
17 13:30
Steam
 
18 16:20
Diesel
 

Note: Trains will arrive in Maynooth approximately 40 minutes after departure from Dublin and leave again after 30 minutes.

Please Note
Check out our Frequently Asked Questions before contacting us.
Tickets/seat allocations will be advised prior to the train date.
As space is very limited, where possible parents are asked not to bring prams and buggies.
Unfortunately, as our carriages date back nearly 60 years, they are not wheelchair accessible.
If travelling as a group, please make one booking to be allocated seats together.