Bunratty Things to Do

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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.

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This house which was originally built in 1898 and was the home of the Hughes Brothers who produced HB ice cream - a household name in Ireland. They started a dairy industry in the 1800’s.

We ran out of time and only got to see this from the outside, but I understand that:

Hazelbrook House offers the visitor the unique opportunity to learn about the evolution of Ice cream making from the domestic dairy to the modern day production plant. The House features the history of the industrious Hughes Brothers family.

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This little church is an original Church of Ireland building, which was moved stone by stone from where it had been originally built in 1824 in Ardcroney, Co. Tipperary, and rebuilt in the Folk Park. It was opened to the public in 1998.

Great for families and anyone with an interest in the history of how irish used to live centries ago. This is the only main attraction in Bunratty.
The folk park is designed like an old irish village with thatched houses, mills, etc and people dressed in clothing from that century. They also have animals which the kids enjoy.
You can walk around the castle also. I advise you wear comfortable shoes also as you will be walking up narrow steep staircases. The castle is furnished to how it was in medieval times so interesting to look at how they lived in it.

If you have a spare evening I suggest going to the medieval banquet in the castle for dinner. You actually eat in the dining hall of the castle and you are met by castle servants etc (They try to keep it medieval for you). They have harpists who play for you and also the servants sing old traditional irish songs during dinner. Its quite entertaining. Although there was no irish dancing which was a downside. The food was exceptional. Plenty to go around the table and you have unlimited wine and water. I think it cost around 50euro pp so its not cheap but its a great night out and something different. There is also an 'Irish night' which you can choose also but thats held in a barn with traditional irish entertainment. Alot of people actually prefer this to the banquet. And theres irish dancing at this.

definitely recommend going to Bunratty Castle for a medieval dinner. what is more fun that drinking wine from a jug and also drinking your soup from your bowl. the only utensil you get is a "dagger".

this is fun for all ages!

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Bunratty Folk Park recreates rural and urban life in 19th century Victorian Ireland. There is an extensive array of vernacular buildings; visitors can for example view farmhouses of various economic backgrounds, a watermill, church and village street. Traditional jobs and crafts are also represented, milling, the forge, pottery, printing, baking, farming etc.

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The site on which the castle stands began as a Viking trading camp, around 970 AD. The first defensive fortress (an earthen mound with a strong wooden tower on top) was built by Robert De Muscegros, a Norman, in 1250 - his lands were later granted to Thomas De Clare who built the first stone castle on the site. His son, however was killed in a battle between the Irish and the Normans, and the castle and town were completely destroyed.

The castle was restored for the King of England but was laid waste in 1332 by the Irish Chieftains of Thomond under the O'Briens and MacNamaras. It lay in ruins for 21 years until it was rebuilt by Sir Thomas Rokeby but was once again attacked by the Irish and the castle remained in Irish hands thereafter. The powerful MacNamara family built the present structure around 1425 but by 1475 it had became the stronghold of the O'Briens, the largest clan in North Munster. The castle at this time was surrounded by beautiful gardens and was reputed to have a herd of 3,000 deer. he reign of the O'Briens came to an end with the arrival of the Cromwellian troops and the castle and its grounds were surrendered. It was then granted to various families, until the last left the castle in 1804 to live in a more modern house. The castle was purchased in 1954, restored and then opened to the public as a National Monument in 1960.

The Castle is furnished with mainly 15th and 16th century furnishings, and Medieval Banquets are held in the Castle year round.

The castle was great, not that much description though. You're forced to buy the enterance to the Folklore Park which is ok if you have the time. I didn't do the banquet but I definitely think the castle is worth seeing.