Bunratty Castle
About Bunratty Castle
Bunratty Castle (Irish: Caisleán Bhun Raithe, meaning Castle at the Mouth of the Ratty) is a large tower house in County Clare, Ireland. It lies in the centre of Bunratty village (Irish: Bun Ráite), by the N18 road between Limerick and Ennis, near Shannon Town and its airport. The name Bunratty, Bun Raite (or possibly, Bun na Raite) in Irish, means the 'bottom' or end of the 'Ratty' river. This river, alongside the castle, flows into the nearby Shannon estuary. From the top of the castle, one can look over to the estuary and the airport.
Bunratty Castle is now a very popular tourist attraction, due in a large part to the proximity of the airport. The interior has been furnished by Lord Gort with tapestries and artifacts from various eras in the castle's history (none or few are belonging to the castle). Some of the sights include the 'great hall', dungeons and four towers with spiral stairwells. Medieval-style banquets are held twice every evening in the great hall. The castle is also a popular attraction for wedding parties from the closest main city of Limerick hoping to make their special day even better with the beautiful surroundings.
Alongside the castle is an extensive folk park, particularly popular with families, tourists and schools. This features reconstructions of historical cottages and buildings, recreating the general feel of the 19th century with a period style village main street. Old tools, furniture and artefacts are displayed, with the village kept alive by some inhabited shops, an old home bakery and peat fires in cottages.
Bunratty Castle is now a very popular tourist attraction, due in a large part to the proximity of the airport. The interior has been furnished by Lord Gort with tapestries and artifacts from various eras in the castle's history (none or few are belonging to the castle). Some of the sights include the 'great hall', dungeons and four towers with spiral stairwells. Medieval-style banquets are held twice every evening in the great hall. The castle is also a popular attraction for wedding parties from the closest main city of Limerick hoping to make their special day even better with the beautiful surroundings.
Alongside the castle is an extensive folk park, particularly popular with families, tourists and schools. This features reconstructions of historical cottages and buildings, recreating the general feel of the 19th century with a period style village main street. Old tools, furniture and artefacts are displayed, with the village kept alive by some inhabited shops, an old home bakery and peat fires in cottages.
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First To Review:
Nov 8, 2008
Well worth the trip. Outside of the castle there are lots of old outhouses with medievel schools, homes etc.. which you can go inside, sometimes they can even be interractive, for example the school, they might have a teacher inside who will get you to do some simple arithmatic. The castle itself is wonderful and as other people have said here, they do this wonderful Medievel Fiest which is fantastic. All the staff dress in medievel costumes. You sit at these long wooden benches. More food than you can imagine, mead to drink, entertainment...it's truly a night to remember. Finally, outside of the castle there are a number of interesting shops including Blarney Woolen Mills if you wanna buy yourself a nice Irish woolen jumper!
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