Travel Information

Bunratty Castle and Folk Parks is one of Ireland’s premier attractions. The attractions trace the country’s history. Visitors will see representations of Irish life at a 19th century Irish village to extravagant medieval banquets set in a 14th century castle. The Bunratty Folk Park is spread across almost 26 acres of land and is filled with authentic reproductions of traditional country cottages as well as homesteads. There are also typical Irish houses, stores, shops. Visitors will also witness reenactments of typical street scenes during Victorian era Ireland. Other attractions that have been constructed in the park are Loop Head’s thatched roof cottages where the roofs are roped down as a protection from the strong Atlantic winds, Traveller Wagons used by Ireland’s nomadic people, Bunratty House, an archetypal Georgian sprawl of 19th century landed minor gentry, a post office, grocer’s store, and a typical Irish village pub. Also to be seen are the typical “characters” in traditional Irish life: the Bean an Ti (the woman of the house), farmers, schoolteachers, and policemen are all in full traditional costumes and serve as guides to visitors. They tour them and explain how the Irish lived. There are demonstrations of traditional Irish crafts and processes like butter making, bread making, stonewall building and traditional farming methods. The highlight of the area though is Bunratty Castle, the imposing tower of which dominates the whole area. Bunratty Castle was built at around 1425 and served as the stronghold of the O’Brien Clan, and eventually the High Kings of Munster, and still much later, the Earls of Thomond. Restored completely in 1954, the castle is famous for its medieval bancquets, which is held two times every night all year round. Traditional Irish entertainment is provided for the duration of the banquet. Bunratty Castle is a required stop in a traveller’s car trip through England. Renting a car is the best option for touring Ireland and its many attractions. Many car hire companies offer competitive car hire packages for tourists who want to rent a car.