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Castle · Ennis, Clare
Bunratty Castle & Folk Park
Stone castle dating from 1425, restored and furnished with 15th- and 16th-century pieces, and next to it a park that recreates a 19th-century Irish village, with farmhouses, shops and the main street.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Bunratty Castle & Folk Park
Bunratty Castle was built around 1425 by the MacNamara family on the banks of the River Ratty, near the Shannon estuary, on a site that had Viking and Norman fortifications. It soon passed to the O'Brien family, earls of Thomond, who made it their seat. Abandoned in the 19th century, it was bought and restored in 1954 by Lord Gort, who furnished it with 15th- and 16th-century pieces.
The castle is a four-story tower house with corner towers. The visit climbs narrow, steep stone spiral staircases up to the great hall, with tapestries and a wooden ceiling, the chapel, the chambers and the tops of the towers, from where you can see the Shannon estuary. In the evenings the castle often hosts medieval banquets, with period music and service, during certain seasons.
Beside it is the Folk Park, a park that recreates rural and village life in 19th-century Ireland. There are over 30 buildings, some brought from other parts of the country and reassembled: farmhouses with thatched roofs from different regions, a mill, a smithy, a school, a doctor's house and a main street with a shop, a pub, a post office and Georgian houses. In some buildings there are people demonstrating old crafts and recipes.
The park also has walled gardens, farm animals and woodland paths. Being about 5 km from Shannon Airport, Bunratty is a common stop on the first or last day of a trip.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About 2h30 to 3 hours for the castle and the Folk Park.
Best time
In the morning, before tour groups arrive, or mid-afternoon. In season (April to October) there are more activities in the park. Evening banquets run in certain seasons and require reservations.
How to get there
It is in Bunratty, beside the N18, about 20 km south of Ennis, 5 km from Shannon Airport and 15 km from Limerick. Buses between Shannon and Limerick stop in the village. There is parking at the entrance.
Tip
Start with the castle and climb to the top of the tower to see the estuary. The spiral staircases are narrow and steep, and there is no elevator. Leave the Folk Park for afterwards and take it easy.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Bunratty Castle & Folk Park
Is the castle original?
The structure is that of the castle from around 1425. It was restored in the 1950s and furnished with original 15th- and 16th-century pieces from other sources.
What is the Folk Park?
A park next to the castle that recreates a 19th-century Irish village, with farmhouses, shops, a school and a main street.
Is Bunratty near the airport?
Yes, about 5 km from Shannon Airport, which makes it easy to visit on arrival or departure day.
Is the castle visit accessible?
The castle has narrow stone spiral staircases and no elevator. The Folk Park has easier paths.