Bunratty Manor Hotel

Animals in the Folk Park

by grandmaR

Although it isn't very friendly for mobility impaired, due to having non-paved walking surfaces, the folk part is not only interesting for older folks, but also for teens and children. The children should particularly enjoy the animals

Schoolhouse

by grandmaR

This school was originally built at Belvoir in East Clare in the early 19th Century. It is typical of the type of school that would have been in existence around the year 1900.

The teacher role played and smacked her pointer down on the desk for emphasis. She also fed the fire in the fireplace with peat (photo 2).

There was something written on the blackboard about hedgerow schools (photo 4) and a model of a hedgerow school (photo 5). I couldn't read all of it because part of it was erased. Apparently education (whether this was in religion or in Gaelic or was any kind of education at all) was illlegal for Irish Catholic. The Hedgerow schols were out in the fields in lean-tos under the Hedgerows where they could hide from the English.

Bunratty Castle

by Ash59

This picture shows one of the towers of the Castle that overlooks the north of the surrounding area of Bunratty. I took the picture because of the strange “v” shape along the side of the tower. These are actually steps, recessed into the side of the tower! It would appear that, originally, the tops of the towers were not accessed via stairways inside but via the battlements. I certainly would not have like to climb those open stairs when it was winding and wet!

Medieval fun

by Nicky-IRE

"Bunratty Castle"

This is a medieval castle where you can attend banquets and eat with your hands in typical medieval style while listening to fantastic singers and harp players. The beautiful blonde in the picture is my cousin Jenny who sings there.

Extra photos of Bunratty Castle Folk Park

by Ash59

"Bunratty Castle folk park cottage sitting room"

The sitting room where a well to do farmer would have taken tea in the late 19th century

"Bunratty Castle folk park cottage bedroom"

This picture was taken in the farmhouse that was the first building set up in the park. Note the sleeping quarters set up in the loft that could only be accessed by way of a stepladder. How different to the separate bedrooms that we access via stairs, now-a-days.

"Bunratty Castle folk park cottage statues"

The people who owned this cottage origianlly were obviously religeous, as can be seen by this very nice corner unit, showing various religeous statues.

"Bunratty Castle Folk Park Shop"

This little shop with its thatched roof sells locally made Irish linen and is worth a visit if you re looking for something special (bit more expensive than can be found elsewhere but is the goods that you can buy elsewhere hand made or mass produced? I don't know)