Welcome to Ireland!
BUNRATTY
CASTLE
Bunratty
(Bun Raite) Castle overlooks the River Shannon. The castle is in
excellent condition and well worth the visit, but it's a prime
tourist attraction and besieged by tour buses. With the Folk Park
and Durty Nelly's pub nearby, the area is starting to resemble a
medieval theme park, but the historical reality shouldn't be
mistaken for a Disney world creation. Durty Nelly's pub, about 75
feet from the castle, will surely ruin any good photograph of the
castle, but it does serve some excellent food in the dining area.
The
Vikings built a fortified settlement at this spot, a former island
surrounded by a moat. Then the Normans came: Thomas de Clare built
the first stone structure on the site in the 1270's. The present
castle is the fourth or fifth structure to occupy the location
beside the River Ratty.
The
castle was built in the early 1400's by the McNamara family, but
fell shortly afterwards to the O'Briens, kings of Thomond, who
controlled the castle until the 17th century. Admiral Penn, father
of William Penn, resided here for a short time.
Today,
the castle's Great Hall hold a very fine collection of 14th to
18th century furniture, paintings, and wall hangings. The Great
Hall also hosts "medieval banquets" complete with maids
playing the harp, court jesters, food a la the middle ages, and
mead (a honey wine favored by the Irish in the middle ages).
Dunguaire Castle
Banquet
Dunguaire
Castle sits on the shores of Galway Bay, famed in song and story.
The castle is 500 years old and in that time has had a chequered
history. In this century it was purchased by Oliver St. John
Gogarty, a writer and surgeon. This was the time of the great
Celtic revival in Irish literature exemplified by the works of
writers such as Synge, Yeats Shaw and O'Casey. This then is the
theme for the entertainment: the myth and legends of a time past.
While
you enjoy fine food and wine, the castle entertainers will inspire
you with the profound, the humorous, and the incisive words of
these literary giants. An evening of superb music, song and
storytelling awaits you on the majestic shores of Galway Bay.
Click Here to Advertise on
Irelandtourism.com
HOME
| HISTORY |
AT
LAND | DINING
OUT | HOTELS
GUESTHOUSES |
SERVICES | ATTRACTIONS
GOLF |
ADVERTISE | CONTACT |
|
