parkworld-online.com m
Charles Coyle and Cú Chulainn
on the w U
, Tayto Park didn’thave a t have
any major rides. Now Ireland’s only’s only theme park, which began life as a
any major rides. Now Ireland’s theme park, which began life as a
small family park adjoining a factory tour, is home to one of Europe’s ollercoasters.
our den
family has invested €26 million ($29m) over 10 new attractions for 2015, and how they hope this will put their park on the global map
entrepreneur and former potato farmer Raymond Coyle, tells Park World why his family has invested €26 million ($29m) in over 10 new attractions for 2015, and how they hope this will put their park on the global map
y Wo d why h
his in
The idea for whatt is now T
The idea for what is now Tayto Park came 17/18 years ago when we were on a family holiday staying with some friends in Belgium. Ray my fatherrr,
Ta
years ago when we were on a family holiday staying with some friends in Belgium. Ray, my father, went out one day see some buffalo. When he returned, he announced that he had bought 30 bison! My mother said, “Come aga
, went Cú Chulainn 44
out one day see some buffalo. When he returned, he announced that he had bought 30 bison! My mother said, “Come again?” Anyway, we got them over to Ireland, put them in a field, and people came from farIreland, put them in a field, and people came from far and wide to see them; they still do.
ain?” Anyway, we got them over to and wide to see tthem; they still do.
ollercoasters. Here general manager Charles Coyle, son of crisp (potato chip)Charles Coyle, son of crisp (potato chip) entrepreneur and former potato farmer Raymond Coyle, tells Park W
small family park adjoining a factory to r, is home to one of Europe’s top 10 wooden’s top 10 wood rollercoasters. Here general manager
Tayto park takes on the world!
ntil last year, T
€ ntil last year Tar,
yto park takes world
d! a
bits and pieces, but then my father did the deal in 2006 t to buy Largo Foods, owner of the Tayto and King crispsTayto and King crisps brands, who he used to supply with potatoes. Originally we were going to rename the site the Hunky Dory Indian Wa
We planned to build a visitor centre and some other bits and pieces, but then my father did the deal in 2006 o buy Largo Foods, owner of the Ta
planned to build a visitor centre and some other
brands, who he used to supply with potatoes. Originally we were going to rename the site the Hunky Dory Indian Way or something like that, because we also acquired the Hunky Dor the Hunky Dorys brand and had just launched a new “Buffalo” flavour. But the Tayto brand was now our i intellectual property too. It’s a family brand, a fun brand, and to launch a new attraction with a brand that has that kind of customer loyalty was a great help and we were sure that it would keep people coming back. e opened as Tay
ay or something like tha “Buffalo” flavour. But the T
ay or something like tha
ntellectual property too. I ’ and to launch a new attra that kind of customer loya
at, because we also acquired ys brand and had just launched a new
Ta t s a family brand, a fun brand, action with a brand that has alty was a great help and we
were sure that it would keep people coming back. We opened as Tayto Park in November 2010, and t that shows you what little knowledge we had at the time
Ta to Park in November 2010, and
hat shows you what little knowledge we had at the time – opening a park in winter, – opening a park in winter, in the middle of a recession!er, in the middle of a recession! We couldn’t get the loans from the bank at that stagee couldn’t get the loans from the bank at that stage so we had to do it all through capital investment and equity. That was a challenge, and no one arrived until Easter. Why would they? We learnt the hard way and now start each season ahead of Easter.
We
so we had to do it all thro equity. That was a challen r.
now start each season ah park down a countr
A lot of people always y roa
. Why would they?W
ough capital investment and nge, and no one arrived until nt the hard way and
A lot of people always ask us why we built a theme park down a country road in County Meath, and the
head of Easter s ask us why we built a theme ad in County Meath, and the
JULY 2015 LY Y 2015
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