Dublin Zoo hires eight year old as official playground tester
Eight-year-old Donnchadh Horgan has begun his role inspecting three new playgrounds at Dublin Zoo.
FTMQ News, written by our newsroom0 views
Eight-year-old Donnchadh Horgan from Crumlin in Dublin took up his position as the first official playground tester at Dublin Zoo on October 5, 2026. RTE reported that he inspected three brand-new playgrounds at the facility. [1]
According to RTE, the zoo invited children to apply for the role by submitting a letter explaining why they should be selected. Horgan won the position after sending hand-drawn pictures of the zoo alongside a poem, which convinced staff he was suited for the job. [1]
Dublin Zoo is located in Phoenix Park in Dublin, Ireland, and is one of the city's most popular attractions. Designed by Decimus Burton in 1830, the zoo opened the following year and focuses on conservation projects and breeding programmes. [2]
Horgan tested the new equipment on the morning of October 5, 2026. RTE reported that upon taking up the role, Horgan said he felt excited and a bit nervous. [1]
In short
- Donnchadh Horgan, aged eight, became the first official playground tester at Dublin Zoo.
- Horgan was selected after submitting hand-drawn pictures and a poem to the zoo.
- Dublin Zoo opened in 1831 in Phoenix Park, Dublin.
Sources
Every paragraph above points to the numbered items it rests on. Read the originals here.
- [1]'I'm excited' - Meet Dublin Zoo's new playground testerRTE, 1h ago (the report this story comes from)
Background
- [2]Dublin Zoo on Wikipedia
Our newsroom writes these reports with the help of software, from the 2 sources listed and nothing else, and checks them against those sources. Facts can still be wrong or move on; the originals are the record. Spotted a mistake? Write to daniel@monsterkong.com.
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