Bunratty Castle

Hear ye, hear ye! The Bunratty Castle is a castle that will immediately transport you to the medieval world of yesteryear. Visit its banqueting rooms, its bedrooms, and reach the top of its crenellated towers: you will then be entitled to a wonderful panorama of the Shannon!

History of Chateau of Bunratty

A Castle many times built

For lovers of medieval history, Bunratty Castle (known as Bunratty Castle), is one of the best known relics of Irish History. Built on the banks of the river Shannon, in County Clare, the castle is arranged under the elm tree of a 3-storey rectangular tower with 4 crenellated turrets of 6 storeys each.

If ever this Norman architecture seduces you, you should know that the castle has actually been rebuilt several times, because of the many battles wiped out by the fortress …

Here is an overview of the main dates in the history of Bunratty Castle:

• 1270: Robert Muscegros built the first fortress in the form of a wooden turret surrounded by fences. The construction is entirely made of wood, and allows to dominate the Shannon River and the surroundings.
  A few years later, Thomas de Clare takes possession of the land, and decides to destroy the first construction, to rebuild it, this time in stone.
• 1318: Wars of possession rage at this period, and Richard de Clare, then heir of Thomas de Clare, is brutally murdered during a battle opposing him to the O’Brien family (at the battle of Dysert O’Dea). During the battle, the castle as well as the village of Bunratty are totally destroyed.
• 1332: Years after the battle, the King of England orders the fortress to be rebuilt. In vain… The O’Brien and McNamara clans commanded a new assault and destroyed Bunratty Castle once again.
• 1353: Under repeated pressure from the King of England, Sir Thomas Rokeby, an English nobleman, rebuilds the castle. No sooner is its construction completed than the Irish storm it again and seize it.
• 1425: the McNamara clan decides to rebuild the castle in Norman and Welsh architecture. This castle is the last version of the construction and has been perfectly preserved. The castle belonged to the McNamara family for more than 50 years, before belonging to the O’Brien clan.

Visit Bunratty Castle

Visit of the different Rooms and Towers of the Castle

A true treasure of medieval times, Bunratty Castle is a castle that has been recently restored. After paying the entrance fee (about 10 euros per person), you can visit the many rooms and bedrooms of the castle.

Each room has its own furniture as well as sumptuous tapestries, dating from the XIVth century. You will also note the presence of perfectly preserved clothes, dating from the time of the McNamara, builders and first owners of the castle. We particularly advise you the visit of the dining room, as well as the exploration of the towers: they will lead you to the top of the crenellated turrets and will offer you a panorama overlooking the Shannon River, as well as the great plains of the region.

If you also feel in a festive mood, Bunratty Castle organizes medieval banquets every evening, where tourists dress in period clothes and enjoy an evening of medieval ambience characterized by opulent meals, savored in a musical atmosphere worthy of the old days. If you are interested in this activity, we advise you to book in advance: the popularity of these meals is such that the waiting list is often long! (To contact them, see below for their address and phone number).

Still so much to discover!