A Guide to Bunratty Castle and Folk Park
Read our travel guide on Bunratty Castle and Folk Park in Ireland. Includes tips on what to expect, how to get there, where to stay, or when to go.
Bunratty is a beautifully preserved medieval castle near Limerick and one of the top attractions in County Clare.
This National Monument of Ireland is a great place to visit for all history lovers and a great addition to every Ireland itinerary.
Bunratty is the most complete and authentically restored castle in Ireland.
After touring a large part of the Wild Atlantic Way for several days, we needed a change of scenery.
Therefore, we were quite excited to visit some cities and castles in the next couple of days. And Bunratty Castle was exactly what we were looking for.
So here's everything you should know about Bunratty Castle before you go.
How to Visit Bunratty Castle
As the title of our post suggests, there are two main attractions in the complex, a medieval castle, and a folk park.
Bunratty Castle
The first castle at Bunratty was built in 1250, but the structure you can see today is from the 15th century.
Troughout history, a total of four castles were built on this spot.
In 1953 the castle was purchased and restored by the 7th Lord Gort, who put a roof on it and saved it from ruin. Today, it's managed by OPW.
History dates back even further, though, as a Viking trading camp stood in this area in the 10th century.
The castle grounds also include the 19th-century Victorian-themed Folk Park, which is especially popular with families with kids.
Unlike some other places we visited during our Ireland road trip, parking is not an issue here, as there is a large free parking area in front of the castle.
We visited Bunratty late in the afternoon on an especially rainy day, so the idea of spending more time than necessary in the park's garden was not very tempting.
Therefore we headed directly to the castle, which has rich furnishings, many chambers, and artworks.
In fact, it's said that Bunratty has the finest collection of medieval furniture in Ireland.
The castle has a Great Hall, a main hall, and a dungeon. It houses 14th to 17th-century furniture, wall tapestries, antlers, and paintings.
If you've enjoyed Donegal Castle or Blarney Castle, you will like Burnatty as well.
Folk Village
After the castle, we wandered along the network of paths in the Folk Village, featuring the replica of cottages, farmhouses, stores, a doctor's house, a school, and traditional streets.
As we soon found out, there is a lot to see, as this is a living village, plus you can explore the interiors.
There are over 30 buildings within the grounds, so it's actually not a bad experience, even on a wet day.
If you're interested in how traditional village life looked like two centuries ago, this is a great place to visit. It's not for everyone, though.
However, it wasn't very lively on the day of our visit (weekday in shoulder season).
If you're looking for a quiet walk along the proper 'gardens,' we really enjoyed Birr Castle, about an hour's drive from here.
On any other day, we would have probably stayed longer, but as we were really tired, we headed back to our car and, after a short drive to our hotel, called it a day.
Not surprisingly, strolling along the reconstructed Irish village is more fun on a warm, sunny day.
Bunratty Castle Medieval Banquet
By the way, if you're enthralled by the medieval setting, Bunratty Castle Medieval Banquet offers a unique entertainment and dining experience.
Obviously, this activity is not cheap, but quite popular. You should reserve tickets in advance as well.
We wanted to keep our Ireland budget at bay, so we skipped this experience.
Opening Hours
Bunratty Castle is open from 9 AM to 5:30 PM from March to December.
Don't forget that the last admission to the castle is at 4 PM, though the park remains open till 5:30 PM.
In the off-season, which is January to March in this case, the castle is open only from Thursday to Sunday, usually from 9 AM to 5 PM.
Entrance Fee
The entry fee to Bunratty Castle is €15.25 per adult.
When visiting with a family, you might consider purchasing a family ticket with a discount.
It's not exactly a cheap visit, but it's on par with similar attractions in Ireland, such as Kilkenny Castle or Powerscourt.
Tickets
You can purchase the ticket through the official site or via Viator. Either way, it's recommended to make your reservation in advance.
How Much Time Do I Need
In general, you will need about two hours for Bunratty Castle.
If the weather is good, chances are you will want to explore the gardens more thoroughly and stay longer.
In fact, it's not difficult to spend an entire morning (or afternoon) here.
When to Go
Bunratty Castle is open all year round, so you should be able to see it at whatever time of the year.
As usual, each season has its pros and cons, so check out our guide on when to visit Ireland first.
Due to long and warm days, summer is the most popular time to visit Bunratty.
However, spring and autumn allow you to escape the crowds, as many places are still fairly quiet.
Still, Bunratty is one of the best castles in Ireland, and you should be prepared that you won't have this place for yourself.
In winter, the castle is open only on certain days, so plan your trip carefully.
Don't forget that weather in Ireland during the winter is usually not very pleasant.
And even though the weather is not that important when visiting Bunratty, the situation will be completely different at places such as Connemara National Park, Wicklow Mountains, or Beara Peninsula.
What to Pack
Regardless of the season, bring comfortable shoes, a small daypack, and a rain jacket.
Here you will find our Ireland packing list for more inspiration.
How to Get There
Bunratty Castle is located between Limerick and Shannon in County Clare, just off the N18.
The easiest way to get to Bunratty is by car, though it's not the only option.
Driving in Ireland is not as difficult as often said, especially in this area.
Even though this is not a Skellig Ring or Slea Head, the public transport is still not as convenient as we would like it to be.
If you decide to rent a car in Ireland, check out our guide first.
Car
Limerick is less than 20 kilometers east of Bunratty, and the journey takes about 15 to 20 minutes, depending on the current traffic.
Shannon Airport is about 13 kilometers west of Bunratty.
The drive from Ennis via M18 takes about 30 minutes. Galway is about an hour north of Bunratty.
The trip from Cork takes about two hours. You will need almost three hours to get from Dublin to Bunratty.
Travel Resources:
When renting a car, we use Rentalcars.com.
Parking
There is a free parking area right next to Bunratty Castle.
Bus
Bus 343, run by Bus Eireann, runs between Ennis and Limerick and stops at Bunratty, Shannon, and Shannon Airport.
Still, we would probably consider this option only when visiting the castle on a day trip from the city.
Train
There is no train to Bunratty, but you can catch a train to Limerick.
So if you're in Galway, Killarney, or Kilkenny, this option might be worth looking into.
Plane
There is an airport in Shannon, where you can rent a car and drive to Bunratty yourself.
Alternatively, you can catch bus 343 that goes to the castle (and then to Limerick).
Where to Stay
When visiting Bunratty Castle, there are three obvious choices for where to spend a night.
You can stay directly in Bunratty village, which is a great idea if you want to visit the castle first thing in the morning.
Shannon has an airport, though the majority of international travelers will land at Dublin Airport.
Limerick is the largest city in this area, so it's the best option for visitors looking for some action.
If you have a car, you can make spontaneous decisions and stay in one of the quiet bed and breakfasts in the countryside.
Here are the best hotels in the Bunratty area.
Bunratty | Bunratty Castle Hotel - Situated just across the road from Bunratty Castle, this hotel has a hard-to-beat location, spacious rooms, an indoor pool, free parking, and an on-site restaurant and bar.
Shannon | Park Inn - Ideally located just steps from Shannon Airport, this hotel is a great option for those arriving in this area by air. It has spacious, clean rooms, comfy beds, an on-site restaurant, and a fantastic location.
Limerick | George Limerick Hotel - This boutique hotel is situated in Limericks' city center, boasting an eclectic mix of contemporary style and comfort. It has beautiful rooms, great facilities, an on-site restaurant, and welcoming staff.
Staying Safe
Bunratty Castle is generally a safe place to visit.
When driving there, don't leave your valuables inside your vehicle.
This is a general travel tip, regardless of whether you're in Bunratty, driving along the Ring of Kerry, or visiting the Cliffs of Moher.
For more information on this topic, read our tips on staying safe in Ireland.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
Is Bunratty Castle and Folk Park Worth Visiting?
As this is one of Ireland's top historical landmarks, Bunratty Castle is worth visiting, especially if you like medieval castles, history, and living villages.
It's one of the best places to visit in County Clare, and if you ever make it all the way to Limerick, this castle should be on your list.
However, the grounds seemed too commercialized to our taste, but that's just our opinion.
Obviously, there are tons of castles in Ireland, and unfortunately, you can't see them all, especially when pressed for time.
So if you're focusing, for instance, on the Cork area, it makes sense to visit Cahir Castle, Blarney Castle, or Rock of Cashel instead, as they offer a similar experience without making a massive detour.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
