Join us and set off on an exciting adventure through the magical setting of Stradbally Woodlands. Get to meet Santa and Mrs Claus and their band of merry elves. Check out our Steamin’ Brews Coffee Hut and enjoy a hot chocolate while you take a wander through the stalls of our Christmas Market.

Join us and set off on an exciting adventure through the magical setting of Stradbally Woodlands. Get to meet Santa and Mrs Claus and their band of merry elves. Check out our Steamin’ Brews Coffee Hut and enjoy a hot chocolate while you take a wander through the stalls of our Christmas Market.

The Stradbally Woodland Railway opened in 1969 as the first volunteer-run heritage railway in Ireland. Situated in the woods of the Stradbally Hall estate, the railway stemmed from an earlier idea which saw an original Guinness Brewery steam locomotive steamed while mounted on blocks for the August 1968 National Steam Rally. A short section of 1ft 10½in track was laid for the 1968 event and the engine pulled several passenger carriages.

In 1969, the line was relaid to 3ft gauge following the arrival of our steam locomotive, the pride of the fleet, 1949-built Andrew Barclay 0-4-0WT No 2/LM44 Róisín.

Róisín spent her working life on the bog railways of counties Laois and Offaly for Bord na Móna alongside her sister steam engines, Nos 1 and 3. Róisín has now called Stradbally her home for over 50 years and she’s been lovingly cared for by our small but dedicated Irish Steam Preservation Society volunteers since the day she arrived.

This year Róisín will have the very important job of hosting Santa, Mrs. Claus, lots of busy elves and lots of lucky families, as they journey through the magical setting of Stradbally Woodlands!