VISITOR CENTRES:FIRST THERE was Tayto opening its adventure park beside its factory in Ashbourne, Co Meath, complete with cheese and onion car park and buffalo ridge. Now Butlers Chocolates is getting in on the act, throwing its doors open to the public, and just in time for midterm break.
Its new visitors centre opens next Monday at its headquarters in Clonshaugh, Co Dublin. Called the Butlers Chocolate Experience, the attraction is offering group tours for families and schools – though individual chocoholics will be welcome too.
The 90-minute tour covers every aspect of chocolate making, with a step-by-step tour of the chocolate making process. Visitors will then be able to decorate their own Butlers bear with professionals on hand to make sure they don’t make too much of a mess with the molten chocolate.
But never mind the decorating: how many chocolates can you actually eat on the tour? Lots, according to Butlers chairman Mairead Sorensen, who says the centre has a good combination of entertainment and retail, as well as a new Butlers cafe on site, the company’s 15th.
“Butlers HQ in Clonshaugh has always been a centre of innovation, so being able to share our history and expertise with the public is great,” she says.
The headquarters is close to the M50/M1 junction near the airport, with plenty of parking available. The Butlers Chocolate Experience is open from 9am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday.
* To book call Claire on 01- 6710599 or e-mail experience@butlers.ie The cost is €12.50 per person.