Santa’s Magical Cabin and Jack and Jill Foundation bring festive joy to Limerick up to December 23

Santa’s Magical Cabin brings festive joy to Limerick from November 15 to December 23 2025. Santa’s Magical Cabin at The Santa Experience in Jetland Shopping Centre, Limerick. Picture: Olena Oleksienko/ilovelimerick

Santa’s Magical Cabin partners with Jack and Jill for 2025, bringing festive joy and vital support to families across Ireland

Santa’s Magical Cabin is once again sprinkling Christmas magic for Jack and Jill families, announcing a renewed partnership for 2025 that will see complimentary Santa visits gifted to families supported by the Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation across its six locations nationwide.

Visitors booking through the Santa Experience website will also have the opportunity to donate to Jack and Jill, helping to fund vital in-home nursing care and respite support for children with severe learning disabilities often associated with complex medical needs.

This marks the second year of the partnership, which began in 2024 with complimentary Santa visits generously donated to Jack and Jill families. The initiative quickly became a highlight of the festive season for Jack and Jill, giving families a joyful, inclusive Christmas experience at a time that can be especially demanding for parents caring for a child with additional needs.

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This year’s festive season got off to an extra-special start at The Jetland Shopping Centre, Limerick, as Carter Purcell aged 3 from Corbally in Limerick became the very first visitor to officially open Santa’s Magical Cabin nationwide. Carter, joined by Mum, Nikita, Dad, Alex and big brother AJ aged 5, was given this honour as he represents the 21 children currently being supported by the Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation in Limerick and the 456 children currently supported by the charity across Ireland.

Parents Nikita and Alex know first-hand what this partnership means for families like theirs. Their younger son, Carter, receives support from Jack and Jill.

Speaking at the launch, Nikita said, “Jack and Jill are a lifeline for our family. Our little boy Carter has very intense care needs given his condition, and without Jack and Jill, I honestly do not know where we would be today. The support has allowed us to do simple things that other families might take for granted, like catching up on sleep, taking a little time for ourselves or giving our other son, AJ, the attention he deserves. For families like ours, Jack and Jill is more than support. It is a moment of calm in the chaos, a chance to breathe and feel hope again.”

Jack and Jill currently support 456 families in communities across Ireland with up to 100 hours of in-home nursing care per month. For many of these families, Christmas can be a time of uncertainty, and the simple gift of making memories together becomes even more meaningful. Santa’s Magical Cabin shares that belief, making this partnership a natural fit.

Michaella McMahon, Fundraising Manager at Jack and Jill, said, “Christmas is about being together at home. For many of our families, that wish is not guaranteed, and the support they receive from Jack and Jill nurses is what makes that precious time possible. Having Santa’s Magical Cabin champion our work again this year is incredibly special. Their generosity helps us continue to provide the care that keeps children at home, where they belong.”

Ger Clarke, from Santa’s Magical Cabin, added, “Family and community sit at the heart of everything we do. Creating magical moments is our passion, and supporting Jack and Jill aligns beautifully with that. We are delighted to welcome Jack and Jill families again this year and encourage all visitors to join us in supporting this remarkable charity. Together, we can make a real difference for families who truly need this vital service.”

Jack and Jill is a nationwide charity that funds and provides up to 100 hours per month of in-home nursing care and respite support to families caring for children, up to the age of seven, with severe learning disability often associated with complex medical needs.

Typically, these children may be tube fed, oxygen dependent, may not sleep, take seizures, need a lot of medication and require around-the-clock care. Understandably, their parents can be exhausted and need a break, which is where Jack and Jill comes in. Jack and Jill’s service operates seven days a week, with no means test, no red tape and no waiting list. Another key part of the service is end-of-life care for all children up to the age of seven, irrespective of diagnosis, empowering parents to take their child home to die at this most difficult time.

The award-winning and original Santa’s Magical Cabin returns for the Winter 2025 season across six venues nationwide in association with Dunnes Stores. Families are greeted by an elf guide who leads them directly to Santa Claus in his magical cabin.

Thanks to the Santa Needs to Know forms, Santa will already know personal details about each child and will present each one with an age-appropriate gift. Energetic elves entertain families throughout, explaining how Santa, the reindeer and the North Pole team prepare for Christmas. A professional photographer is available to capture all the magical moments.

As well as Limerick’s Jetland Shopping Centre, Ennis Road, Santa’s Magical Cabin will be across the country with locations in Dunnes Stores, Ilac Centre, Dublin 1; Dunnes Stores, Kilnamanagh, Tallaght, Dublin 24; Dunnes Stores, Patrick Street, Cork; The Kyle Centre, Portlaoise; and Dunnes Stores, Ennis Town Centre!

With this year’s season running from November 15 to December 23, 2025, opening times vary by location and can be checked online.  Admission is for €14 for Children, including a gift, Adults €7, baby options available, and a Special Santa invitation is €15.

Photography Packages include €18 for the first print, €12 for each additional print, and €40 for a digital USB plus one printed photo.

Pictures: Olena Oleksienko/ilovelimerick