Bunratty Castle and Folk Park is an engaging historical experience, taking visitors on a live tour of old Ireland through a replica historical village, replica cottages, animated presenters and costumed towns people.

Plan for a full day out – you’ll need the time to take everything in as you meander along walled pathways, garden walks and cottage exhibits. There’s lots going on here for all ages and the little ones will love the large playground and also the new fairy village which has proved to be a huge hit with visitors.

Bunratty Castle itself is within the folk park and it’s a fantastic experience to see it up close and then climb the stairs and wander through various rooms picking up snippets of history along the way.

This is 800 years of history as the castle was built around 1425. Just take that in for a moment! During the 16th and 17th Centuries it was an important stronghold of the O’Briens- Kings and later Earls, of Thomond or North Munster.

You can climb tight spiral stairways on the turrets leading to the main floors and continue upwards to see other small rooms and lodgings. One can only imagine the castle residents doing the same thing by candle light many generations ago. Climb all the way to the top for nice views across the Shannon and surrounding landscape.

On the day we visited, the weather was glorious which obviously added to our day. It was truly a wonderful day out and there were new experiences around every corner. Coming out of the castle we sat by the rose garden and it was just one of those days where you did’t want to leave.

There’s a large dip in the ground here which proved a big attraction for the kids – they really will find fun in everything!.

We met a little goat wandering about (another happy kid!!) who was very friendly and well used to all the attention he was receiving for our own children. We heard this little guy just roams around freely all day and then jumps back over his wall in the evening when visitors have left!. 

The kids took turns feeding it leaves and grass and he would have kept eating all day! We came across a larger paddock where the rest of the goat family were gathered so more time was spent here feeding again. Let’s just say they’re not shy!

Parking is free at Bunratty Castle, it’s a busy place with coaches arriving throughout the day but the car park is quite large so there’s lots of spaces available. It’s also well sign posted inbound so you’ll find no trouble getting there. We traveled from the Castle Oaks Hotel in Castleconnell and it was about 30 minutes drive – main roads all the way and you’ll drive over the Shannon too which is very scenic.

Bunratty Castle & Folk Park

Entry to the Bunratty Castle and Folk Park is via a beautiful foyer and gift shop. There’s plenty on offer here both small and large items but maybe wait until you’re exiting so you have less to carry. You’ll get a little info pamphlet as you enter and there’s some really fascinating details and statistics in this. As we said, there’s 800 years of history here!

We had a really beautiful day here. There is so much to see and it’s a real insight to gaze into beautifully restored cottages. In some buildings you’ll meet live presenters working away dressed in period costume.

One of our first stops was the Blacksmith – a busy person in those days as both agricultural and personal transport were mainly horse drawn. We also called in to see some lovely ladies making bread the old fashioned way. Beautiful smells of fresh bread and a busy kitchen really add to the experience.

In all my travels there is still to this day, something calming to me about the smell of turf burning on an open fire. It conjours up memories of visits to relations houses in the country when we were growing up. There is a strange kind of peace with the aroma it brings – of times past, childhood, family and more. For me, burning turf completely changes the atmosphere of a room.

Throughout the park you’ll meet other presenters dressed in period outfits of the day. You’ll also hear some beautiful Irish ballads and folk songs drifting through the trees and hedges – crafted by the the small group of presenters playing instruments of the day which adds a real authentic vibe as you stroll by beautifully restored thatched cottages.

We happened across what might be described as the main street in Bunratty Folk Park, the detail is superb and you are transported back almost a Century as you browse beautifully restored shop windows, cottage gardens, goods carts and more. I popped into the little pub / public house and the detail here was absolutely superb too.

Strolling along rock walled lane ways, we walked through a beautiful landscaped walled garden that was in full bloom. We stole a few quiet minutes under a beautiful flowered archway and snacked on some lunch  – it was a glorious day out and the kids scoffed on their lunches too as they looked into each others back packs to see who had what!

Moving on we said hello to some more animal residents – a beautiful pony stretched over the wall to say hello and the kids fed him some left over apples. It was a lovely experience which the mammies and daddies captured on our devices for future pondering.

Fairy Village

The Fairy Village is a new addition to the park and we spoke to the management team who have told us it is proving to be very popular.  There’s some beautiful items dotted throughout a small wooded area and it gives a real woodland fairy village athmosphere to the place.

The little ones will love it and be sure to check out the little fairy houses by the river bank – there are real fairies living in there don’t you know! 

At time of writing, there are plans to expand this area so expect more great features to magically spring up around the river bank!

Bunratty Castle and Folk Park is managed by Shannon Heritage and they’ve done a great job here. What started as a management company offering themed medieval banquets at Bunratty Castle over 50 years ago, has now grown into a professional organisation managing several large estates throughout Ireland.

What did DayOut.ie think?

Days out are made of this!

Fergal Walsh is our senior writer and action man, Tough Mudder(er), secret shopper, day out visitor and co-founder of the DayOut web site.

Highly recommended!

An award winning Internet Manager, Fergal has worked across the Irish Internet industry since the year 2000. He’s a parent, adventurer, blogger and writes daily for the DayOut web site

“Bunratty Castle is a time capsule of old Ireland and I came away with a great love of heritage, family and where we’ve come from. Those were harder times but families survived, they obviously encountered their own hardships and losses but they also made the best of what they had. It would be untrue to say that nobody thrived. It was also a  humbling experience to see what people they had, how we once lived and how far we have all come.

It was truly a lovely day out with family and friends and we recommend it anyone visiting in the area to take time and experience a day where you can rewind the years, enjoy the slower pace of your day. You might just not be in such a rush to get back to the real world!”

Bunratty Castle and Folk Park

Bunratty West,
Bunratty,
Co Clare

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