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Bunratty Castle
Caisleán Bun Ráite
Ireland · County Clare, Munster · Near Limerick
Built 1425 · Tower house
Quick Facts
- Hours
- Last admission one hour before closing. Medieval banquets held nightly (separate booking required).
- Tickets from
- €14
- Duration
- 2–3 hours
- Best time
- Year-round
- Nearest city
- Limerick
Highlights
- ✦Most complete medieval castle in Ireland
- ✦Authentic 15th-century furnishings and tapestries
- ✦Bunratty Folk Park — a reconstructed 19th-century Irish village
- ✦Nightly medieval banquets with traditional music
- ✦Located minutes from Shannon Airport
Skip the queue with a guided tour
Skip-the-line tickets & expert guides
Bunratty Castle is the most complete and authentically restored medieval castle in Ireland, standing on a low mound above the Ratty River where it has dominated the surrounding landscape since 1425. Built by the MacNamara family and later seized by the O'Brien Kings of Thomond, the castle's Great Hall, solar, and battlements are furnished with original 15th- and 16th-century artefacts, tapestries, and paintings. Adjacent to the castle, Bunratty Folk Park recreates a 19th-century Irish village complete with farmhouses, a forge, a post office, and a working Victorian-era street. Each evening the Great Hall is transformed for medieval banquets — a theatrical feast with traditional Irish music that has been running for over 60 years.
History
A fortress has stood at Bunratty since Viking times. The present tower house was built around 1425 by the MacNamara clan and subsequently acquired by the O'Brien Kings of Munster, who made it their chief seat. It passed through English colonial hands after the Cromwellian period and fell into disrepair. Major restoration began in the 1950s under the direction of Lord Gort and the Irish Tourist Board, guided by historians who filled the rooms with period-appropriate furnishings. The first medieval banquet was held in 1963, launching a tradition that continues to this day.
How to Visit
Bunratty is located on the N18 motorway, 14 km from Limerick city and 8 km from Shannon Airport — making it a convenient first or last stop on an Irish trip. Regular bus services connect Shannon and Limerick to Bunratty. Ample parking is available on site.
Frequently Asked Questions
An evening of traditional Irish food, wine, and live music performed in the Great Hall, evoking the feasts of the castle's O'Brien kings. Booking in advance is essential.
Location
Bunratty, Co. Clare, V95 HD35, Ireland
Nearby Castles
Tours & Tickets
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Entry from
€14/ adult