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Cork adventure company Zipit opens fourth location in latest expansion

Cork adventure company Zipit opens fourth location in latest expansion

Irish Examiner20 hours ago

Cork-headquartered adventure business Zipit has announced the opening of its newest park, located in Wicklow, marking the growing company's latest expansion.
With locations already in Farran Forrest Park in Cork, Tibradden Wood in Dublin and Lough Key Forest Park in Roscommon, Zipit Djouce Park in Wicklow will mark the company's fourth addition. The latest venture will be located on a former golf course fairway on the edge of the Wicklow park.
The new course is currently being built by Funcha, one of Europe's leading adventure park developers.
Speaking on the latest location, Zipit said it offered "wide-open skies and uninterrupted views", providing a different experience from Zipit's traditionally forested courses.
Zipit was acquired by Cork-based Cool Runnings Events in 2021, leading to the merging of two family businesses.
Headquartered in Little Island, Cool Runnings is known for both zip-lining and for its seasonal ice rink attractions in Cork and Dublin and has been operating since 2007.
In May, Zipit sought to expand its operations further, submitting plans to the county council for a new adventure centre in East Cork. In its application, the growing company sought planning permission to install an adventure activity course on Fota Island.
The proposed course will include a net adventure area, multi-activity area, tubing course, zip lines, a low ropes area, and ancillary activities.
Permission is also being sought for a single-storey reception cabin and a single-storey staff welfare cabin, toilet facilities and all associated site and ancillary works on land at Fota Island, Carrigtwohill. The proposed site lies within the curtilage of Fota House, which is a Recorded Protected Structure.
Cork County Council are due to decide on the case by July 1, 2025.
Speaking on the Wicklow course, Cian O'Callaghan, Head of Sales and Marketing at Cool Running Events, said: 'We're incredibly excited to launch our newest course in Djouce. This area of Wicklow offers a stunning backdrop for outdoor adventure."
"This course is Zipit's first that's accessible to kids as young as three, and we can't wait to see the excitement on the younger adventurers' faces as they take part in Ireland's newest adventure course'.

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