PRIMARY TIMES STAR AWARDS 2011 WINNERS

THE best of what Ireland has to offer families is revealed in the results of this year’s Primary Times STAR Awards, as voted for by parents of children under 12 in this country.

Readers of Primary Times – the largest free family magazines & website in Ireland www.primarytimes.ie – voiced their views on the country’s most family friendly firms and scored their favourites on customer service, facilities, choice and value for money.

The results of these unique awards, which attracted more than 2,000 entries from parents, provide a vital snapshot of what’s tops with families in a harsh economic climate - and give the worthy winners a well-deserved round of applause.

The country’s Best Family Visitor Attractions reveal - by region - who is tops with families searching for service and value, as well as entertainment. Dublin Zoo, Imaginosity and the National Aquatic Centre came first in Dublin while Tayto Park, the National Stud and Lullymore Heritage Park are loved by Leinster families. Fota Wildlife Park, Killarney National Park and West Cork Model Railway scored with families in the South, while families in the West rated the Aillwee Caves, Bunratty Folk Park and Westport House.

Fun-loving Dubliners voted in their hundreds to ensure Fort Lucan scooped the regional title in the Best Play & Activity Centres category. The Jungle Den in Naas lifted the Leinster accolade, City Limits in Galway got full marks in the West and Cork’s Monkey Maze came first in the South.

The all-important party venue was another hotly-contested category. Leisureplex grabbed the Best Party Venue title in Dublin, Lullymore Heritage Park took the Leinster crown, Perks Entertainment Centre in Youghal scored tops in the South while City Limits in Galway scooped the West title.

With the witching season fast approaching, it’s illuminating to look at the Best Halloween Events league. Spooky goings-on at Dublin Zoo secured the venue another regional title, Causey Farm made Leinster families shudder, freaky fright nights at Fota Wildlife Park got full marks in the South and things that go bump in the night at Bunratty Folk Park scored tops in the West.

And with Christmas not too far behind, the results of the Best Santa Visits are a must. Dublin families voted in force for 7Up Christmas on Ice, Leinster loves Lullymore Heritage Park while Fota and the Aillwee Caves cleaned up in the South and West.

Summer camps shone in their specialist category and the national top five according to PT readers are GAA Cúl Camps, Let’s Go, FAI Soccer, IRFU Rugby and Starcamp. By region, Dublin Zoo claimed the top spot; Talented Kids Performing Arts was first in Leinster, Fota claimed another title for the South while the Delphi Adventure Centre topped the table in the West.

And if you want to know where to book that perfect family break, the Top 10 Family Friendly Hotels awards are essential reading. Top spots in the country went to The Galway Bay Hotel; Gleneagle Hotel, Killarney; Fota Island Resort; Hodson Bay Hotel, Athlone; Quality Hotel, Clonakilty; Kelly’s Resort Hotel, Rosslare; Quality Hotel, Killarney; Dingle Skellig Hotel; Hotel Westport and the Quality Hotel, Youghal.

Other categories also voted for by parents throughout the country were Best Pet Farms - for a full list of regional and national winners in the Primary Times 2011 STAR Awards see below

FULL LIST OF 2011 PRIMARY TIMES STAR AWARDS WINNERS

Best Party Venues:

Dublin – Leisureplex

Leinster – Lullymore Heritage Park

South –Perks Entertaiment Centre, Youghal

West – City Limits, Galway

Best Pet Farms:

Dublin – Airfield

Leinster – Newgrange Farm

West – Turoe Pet Farm

South – Leahy’s Open Farm

Best Play & Activity Centres:

Dublin – Fort Lucan

Leinster – Jungle Den Naas

South – Monkey Maze, Cork

West – City Limits, Galway

Best Halloween Events

Dublin – Dublin Zoo

Leinster – Causey Farm

South – Fota Wildlife Park

West – Bunratty Folk Park

Best Santa Visits

Dublin - 7Up Christmas on Ice

Leinster – Lullymore Heritage Park

South – Fota Wildlife Park

West – Aillwee Caves

Best Summer Camps: National Camps Top 5

GAA Cúl Camps

Let’s Go!

FAI Soccer

IRFU Rugby

Starcamp

Best Summer Camps: Regional

Dublin – Dublin Zoo

Leinster – Talented Kids Performing Arts

South – Fota Wildlife Park

West –Delphi Adventure Centre

Best Family Visitor Attractions – Top 3 in each region

Dublin – Dublin Zoo, Imaginosity, National Aquatic Centre

Leinster – Tayto Park, Irish National Stud, Lullymore Heritage Park

South – Fota Wildlife Park, Killarney National Park, West Cork Model Railway

West – Aillwee Caves, Bunratty Folk Park, Westport House

Best Family Friendly Hotels – Top 10

Galway Bay Hotel

Gleneagle Hotel Killarney

Fota Island Resort

Hodson Bay Hotel Athlone

Quality Hotel Clonakilty

Kelly’s Resort Hotel, Rosslare

Quality Hotel Killarney

Dingle Skellig Hotel

Hotel Westport

Quality Hotel Youghal