BUNRATTY

CASTLE

AND FOLK PARK

BUNRATTY CASTLE

AND FOLK PARK

POCKET IRELAND › Place Guides › Bunratty Castle and Folk Park

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Standing stoically on the banks of the Ratty River in County Clare, the 15th century Bunratty Castle is the most complete and authentic medieval castle in Ireland. It is combined with the Folk Park that spans 26 acres. It’s a "living" village that captures the sights, sounds, and smells of Ireland during a time of immense social change.

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The Castle

The castle's interior is a masterclass in restoration. Unlike many hollow shells, Bunratty is furnished with the Gort Collection, consisting of over 450 pieces of medieval furniture, tapestries, and works of art that recreate the look and feel of the castle at its zenith.

The Great Hall
The centerpiece of the castle, featuring a high vaulted ceiling and a massive oak table, which still hosts medieval banquets today.

The Solar
A private room for the Earl, offering a rare glimpse into the domestic comforts (and luxuries) of medieval nobility.

The Dungeon
Down a narrow, low-ceiling spiral staircase from the Great Hall you can find the dungeon which is essentially a deep pit (there’s no getting out!) where they through their prisoners.

Mind Your Step!

The spiral staircases are authentic—meaning they are narrow, steep, and uneven. Wear comfortable, grip-sole shoes and take your time ascending to the battlements for the panoramic views of the estuary.

The Folk Park

This is an impressive and large village or reconstructed (original and replica) buildings from Ireland’s past. The air is thick with the scent of burning peat “turf”, and the village street feels bustling and inhabited, offering a vivid contrast between the simple lives of rural labourers and the rising middle class of the Victorian era.

The park is meticulously divided to reflect the strict social hierarchy of the time:

The Village Street
A fully reconstructed urban thoroughfare featuring a doctor’s house, a pawnbroker, a drapery, and a post office. The shops are stocked with authentic products of the era, from medicinal bottles to stiff Victorian collars.

Rural Farmhouses
The park hosts a variety of relocated cottages, ranging from the Byre Dwelling (where families lived in the same room as their animals for warmth) to the prosperous Golden Vale Farmhouse.

Bunratty House & Walled Garden
At the top of the social ladder sits this Georgian residence, built in 1804 for the Studdart family. It features a stunning Regency-style walled garden, a manicured oasis of heritage plants that feels worlds away from the thatched cottages below.

Native Breeds
The park is a sanctuary for native Irish animals. Look for the massive, gentle Irish Wolfhounds, Meabh and Saoirse, who are often found lounging near the village, as well as Red Deer and Tamworth pigs.

For Families

If you are visiting with children, the Fairy Trail in the woods is a whimsical diversion, but the real highlight is often the Viking Playground, which features a massive wooden ship.