Ireland has its fare share of castles to visit from the infamous Blarney Castle to Ashford Castle and many more.
One such castle not to be missed is Bunratty Castle, situated in County Clare and overlooking the River Shannon on the banks of the River Ratty.
Bunratty (Bun Raite) Castle, is a major tourist attraction, attracting visitors from all of the world, with its 19th century recreated folk park and the nightly medieval banquets.

Bunratty castle was built in 1425 and restored in 1954. The Castle is a cross between the earlier Norman Castles and the later Gaelic tower houses. It is a rectangular tower with three main floors and four, six-storey corner turrets. The castle is in excellent condition and well worth a visit, but it's a major tourist attraction and should be treated as one, expect to see a lot of tour busses..

While at Bunratty Castle, be sure to sign up to participate in the medieval banquet. Held throughout the year in the castle's Great Hall the medieval banquets are a fun and enjoyable adventure for young and old alike.. You can listening to harp music and watch the court jesters perform as you eat a four course meal (medieval recipes). You can even sample mead - a honey wine which was popular in medieval times.

Today, the castle's Great Hall holds a very fine collection of 14th to 18th century furniture, paintings, and wall hangings.

The folk park is a recreation of what life was like in the 19th century, with farmhouses, cottages and shops each adorned with the furnishings of the time. Its more like a living museum than a recreation, the roofs are thatched, the walls are whitewashed, animals are keep in pastures and fields, bread is baked and people walk the dirt streets in costumes of the time.
It will amaze you to see just how far we've come in Only a 100 years.


Location:

Located on the N18 Limerick/Ennis Road.

Open Folk Park:
January to March; November to December: 09.30-17.30
(Last Admission to Folk Park 16.15)

April to May; September to October: 09.00-17.30
(Last Admission to Folk Park 16.15)

June to August: 09.00-18.00
(Last Admission to Folk Park 17.15)

Castle:
Open Year Round (last admission 16.00)
Closed Good Friday and December 24 - 26
Admission Adults Euro 10.00;
Child Euro 5.60;
Student Euro 7.90
Special Group Rates and Family Tickets Available.

Mediaeval banquets nightly at 17.30 and 20.45 (subject to demand)

Limited Wheelchair Access.


Where to Eat & sleep:

The Barn Kitchen & Mac’s Pub
Bunratty Folk Park, Bunratty, Co. Clare.

Barrington’s Lodge (88 beds)
George’s Quay, Limerick, Co. Limerick.
Telephone : (061) 41 52 22

Limerick Youth Hostel
(66 beds / 40 seats restaurant)
1 Pery Square, Limerick, Co. Limerick.
Telephone & Fax : (061) 31 46 72

Other attractions in the area are:
Quin Abbey
Mooghaun Ring Fort
Knappogue Castle
Craggaunown
Fenloe Lake & Abbey
Cratloe Forest Park
Cratloe Woods House
Dromoland Castle
Bunratty Mead & Liquer Company


Do take part in the medieval banquet, it is one of those once-in-a-life-time experiences which you will not forget..

Slainte