Bunratty village is in County Clare, Republic of Ireland, approximately half way between Limerick City (17 kilometres) and Shannon Airport (12 kilometres). It is a picturesque village famed for being home to its spectacular 15th century Bunratty Castle, and its Folk Park, a 19th century reconstructed Irish Village. Bunratty is one of Ireland major tourist destinations, with an estimated 350,000 visitors a year enjoying the excitement of medieval Ireland. The village is strategically placed for touring the western regions of Ireland, and is also well supplied with a wide variety of restaurants, pubs, shops and other attractions, to make a visit a comfortable, interesting, and memorable experience. Some of the famous landmarks worth a visit are, Durty Nellies, a 400 year old pub, built besides the castle, originally the watering hole for the castle guards!! The Bunratty Village Mills, which includes Blarney Woollen Mills gift shop, for excellent shopping, Kathleen’s Irish Pub to enjoy traditional music, song and dance!!
Nestled in the heart of Bunratty Village, where it has stood for nearly 600 years, the Castle has survived assaults, wind, rain, and neglect. Strategically located on the banks of the Owenagarney River, Bunratty Castle stood watch over its own anchorage and the local ford, around which the village grew. The present castle was built 1425, being the 4th structure, and second stone castle on this site!! The first structure was established in 970, as a Viking trading camp, later, in 1250 it was replaced by the Normans, with a wooden tower on an earthen mound. In 1318, Richard De Clare built the first stone castle, at which time the village supported 1000 people, and was a thriving market town. Later it was reduced to rubble during the 1330’s when the Irish Chieftains of Thomond rose up against the English. Built again in 1425, it has survived to this day, and if walls could talk, what a great tale they could tell!!
The present castle has been fully restored and refurbished to be one of Ireland’s finest medieval castles. Daily tours are available for the main areas, where you can see the authentic furnishings, armorial stained glass, tapestries and works of art, with other parts of the castle, such as the royal chambers, open for guided tours only. At night the castle comes alive, with nightly medieval banquets and entertainment, creating a great atmosphere not to be missed!!
While you are in Bunratty you must see the reconstructed 19th century Irish village. It covers a massive area and includes typical old village streets, filled with houses, shops, Post office, blacksmiths forge, School, Doctors, farmhouses and old machinery. Making the whole effect more realistic, the place comes to life with baking, candle making, pottery and basketry all being done as you walk around. It’s one of those experiences not to be missed.
Bunratty is a village with much to offer, and should be on your must see list!!
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