Tayto Park – one of Ireland’s most popular tourist attractions – has had a planning application for a €25m (£19.8m, $33.6m) expansion and world-class roller coaster approved by the local council.

Meath County Council granted permission to develop a new entrance, car parking and visitor facilities as well as the roller coaster and additional new rides. The wooden roller coaster, to be designed and built by US wood-coaster specialists Gravity Group, is set to be one of the largest in Europe, reaching heights of 32m (105 ft) and speeds of 100kph (62mph).

Tayto Park general manager Charles Coyle told Attractions Management that the coaster will be part of a first phase development, and explained the thinking behind the decision to opt for wood. “The first reason is that wooden roller coasters appeal to a broader age range than a steel coaster, from kids of eight up to 16, which suits us as we’re a family park” he said. “The second reason is that it’s more aesthetically pleasing in an outdoor park like this in such beautiful surroundings. And they’re also a really different and exciting type of ride.”

In a country where coaster thrills are scarce, theme park fans are welcoming the news that the ride could be open by Q1 2015. Tayto Park’s visitors can also look forward to a Zamperla Air Race and a dark ride by Sally Corp or Mack, with plans to break ground on the attraction within the next month.

The educational amusement park – which features a variety of animal exhibits, a tour of the Tayto crisp factory and a variety of adventure activities and rides – was Ireland’s sixth most-attended paid attraction in 2013, with 450,000 visitors. The park forecasts the 18-hectare expansion could help bring visitor numbers up as high as 850,000 by 2019.

Tayto Park, which opened in 2010, is part of Largo Foods, owners of the Tayto crisp brand. Possibly Ireland’s most iconic snack, Tayto has been around since 1954 and the snack’s anthropomorphised potato mascot – Mr Tayto – is shared with Tayto Park.