Well, dinner last night was a fiasco, but we woke up rested and ready to go this morning.
Today's adventure was Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, a location only a few kilometers from our hotel.
A brief history of the castle, quoted from the Shannon Heritage website:
"The site on which Bunratty Castle stands was in origin a Viking trading camp in 970. The present structure is the last of four castles to be built on the site. Robert De Muscegros, a Norman, built the first defensive fortress (an earthen mound with a strong wooden tower on top) in 1250. His lands were later granted to Thomas De Clare who built the first stone castle on the site. About this time Bunratty became a large town of 1,000 inhabitants."
"In 1318 Richard De Clare, son of Thomas was killed in a battle between the Irish and the Normans. His followers were routed and the castle and town were completely destroyed. The castle was restored for the King of England but was laid waste in 1332 by the Irish Chieftains of Thomond under the O'Briens and MacNamaras. It lay in ruins for 21 years until it was rebuilt by Sir Thomas Rokeby but was once again attacked by the Irish and the castle remained in Irish hands thereafter."
"The powerful MacNamara family built the present structure around 1425 but by 1475 it had became the stronghold of the O'Briens, the largest clan in North Munster. They ruled the territory of North Munster and lived in great splendor. The castle was surrounded by beautiful gardens and it was reputed to have a herd of 3,000 deer."
"Under Henry VIII's 'surrender and re-grant scheme, the O'Brien's were granted the title 'Earls of Thomond' and they agreed to profess loyalty to the King of England. The reign of the O'Briens came to an end with the arrival of the Cromwellian troops and the castle and its grounds were surrendered."
"Bunratty Castle and its lands were granted to various Plantation families, the last of whom was the Studdart family. They left the castle in 1804 (allowing it to fall into disrepair), to reside in the more comfortable and modern Bunratty House."
"Bunratty returned to its former splendor when Viscount Lord Gort purchased it in 1954. The extensive restoration work began in 1954 with the help of the Office of Public Works, the Irish Tourist Board and Shannon Development."
"It was then opened to the public in 1962 as a National Monument and is open to visitors year round. It is the most complete and authentically restored and furnished castle in Ireland."
The castle is a self-guided tour though all the rooms, most are furnished. You can climb up to the parapets and enjoy the views from the top of the towers.
The castle is full of gorgeous woodwork and stained glass windows.
Within the grounds of the castle is the folk park, where 19th Century life is vividly recreated. Set on 26 acres, the impressive park features over 30 historic buildings.
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| Villager's House |
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| Schoolhouse |
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| Shannon Farmhouse |
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| Golden Vale Farmhouse (baking demonstration) |
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| Doctor's House |
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| Vertical Mill |
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| Ardcroney Church, moved stone by stone from County Tipperary |
Touring all the buildings and grounds in the Folk Park took the majority of the day. We left around 4pm and headed back to the hotel, making a quick stop to check out Cratloemoyle, a castle ruin we could see from the hotel.
We decided to go to the pool when we got back to the hotel, since it was within the children's swimming hours. The girls were required to have a fabric swim cap in order to use the pool. Apparently there is some sort of sanitary law that requires spas and hotels to have long hair covered while swimming.
After our swim (or soak in the hot tub for those of us over 18), we went to the pub for dinner. There was a sporting match on television and we spent 15 minutes trying to figure out what sport it was. We finally figured out it was hurling. The match was County Limerick vs County Claire and quite interesting to watch.
Now we are back in the room and ready to pack the suitcases for our departure in the morning. We will be driving back to Dublin and catching a plane to Cardiff, Wales! I can't believe how quickly the days are going by.
Rural
farmhouses, village shops and streets are recreated and furnished as
they would have appeared at that time according to their social
standing, from the poorest one roomed dwelling to Bunratty House a fine
example of a Georgian residence for the gentry - See more at:
http://www.shannonheritage.com/BunrattyCastleAndFolkPark/BunrattyFolkPark/#sthash.wMVbGg7p.dpuf
Rural
farmhouses, village shops and streets are recreated and furnished as
they would have appeared at that time according to their social
standing, from the poorest one roomed dwelling to Bunratty House a fine
example of a Georgian residence for the gentry - See more at:
http://www.shannonheritage.com/BunrattyCastleAndFolkPark/BunrattyFolkPark/#sthash.wMVbGg7p.dpuf
In 1318 Richard De Clare, son of Thomas was killed in a battle between the Irish and the Normans. His followers were routed and the castle and town were completely destroyed. The castle was restored for the King of England but was laid waste in 1332 by the Irish Chieftains of Thomond under the O'Briens and MacNamaras. It lay in ruins for 21 years until it was rebuilt by Sir Thomas Rokeby but was once again attacked by the Irish and the castle remained in Irish hands thereafter. - See more at: http://www.shannonheritage.com/BunrattyCastleAndFolkPark/BunrattyCastle/#sthash.CDYGKgPY.dpuf
Robert De
Muscegros, a Norman, built the first defensive fortress (an earthen
mound with a strong wooden tower on top) in 1250. His lands were later
granted to Thomas De Clare who built the first stone castle on the site.
About this time Bunratty became a large town of 1,000 inhabitants.
In 1318 Richard De Clare, son of Thomas was killed in a battle between the Irish and the Normans. His followers were routed and the castle and town were completely destroyed. The castle was restored for the King of England but was laid waste in 1332 by the Irish Chieftains of Thomond under the O'Briens and MacNamaras. It lay in ruins for 21 years until it was rebuilt by Sir Thomas Rokeby but was once again attacked by the Irish and the castle remained in Irish hands thereafter. - See more at: http://www.shannonheritage.com/BunrattyCastleAndFolkPark/BunrattyCastle/#sthash.CDYGKgPY.dpuf
In 1318 Richard De Clare, son of Thomas was killed in a battle between the Irish and the Normans. His followers were routed and the castle and town were completely destroyed. The castle was restored for the King of England but was laid waste in 1332 by the Irish Chieftains of Thomond under the O'Briens and MacNamaras. It lay in ruins for 21 years until it was rebuilt by Sir Thomas Rokeby but was once again attacked by the Irish and the castle remained in Irish hands thereafter. - See more at: http://www.shannonheritage.com/BunrattyCastleAndFolkPark/BunrattyCastle/#sthash.CDYGKgPY.dpuf
The site
on which Bunratty Castle stands was in origin a Viking trading camp in
970. The present structure is the last of four castles to be built on
the site. - See more at:
http://www.shannonheritage.com/BunrattyCastleAndFolkPark/BunrattyCastle/#sthash.CDYGKgPY.dpuf
The site
on which Bunratty Castle stands was in origin a Viking trading camp in
970. The present structure is the last of four castles to be built on
the site. - See more at:
http://www.shannonheritage.com/BunrattyCastleAndFolkPark/BunrattyCastle/#sthash.CDYGKgPY.dpuf
The
site on which Bunratty Castle stands was in origin a Viking trading camp
in 970. The present structure is the last of four castles to be built
on the site.
In 1318 Richard De Clare, son of Thomas was killed in a battle between the Irish and the Normans. His followers were routed and the castle and town were completely destroyed. The castle was restored for the King of England but was laid waste in 1332 by the Irish Chieftains of Thomond under the O'Briens and MacNamaras. It lay in ruins for 21 years until it was rebuilt by Sir Thomas Rokeby but was once again attacked by the Irish and the castle remained in Irish hands thereafter.
Under Henry VIII's 'surrender and re-grant' scheme, the O'Brien's were granted the title 'Earls of Thomond' and they agreed to profess loyalty to the King of England. The reign of the O'Briens came to an end with the arrival of the Cromwellian troops and the castle and its grounds were surrendered. The O'Briens never returned to Bunratty but later they built a beautiful residence at Dromoland Castle, now a luxury 5 star hotel.
Bunratty returned to its former splendor when Viscount Lord Gort purchased it in 1954. The extensive restoration work began in 1945 with the help of the Office of Public Works, the Irish Tourist Board and Shannon Development. It was then opened to the public in 1962 as a National Monument and is open to visitors year round. It is the most complete and authentically restored and furnished castle in Ireland.
- See more at: http://www.shannonheritage.com/BunrattyCastleAndFolkPark/BunrattyCastle/#sthash.CDYGKgPY.dpuf
Early History
Robert De Muscegros, a Norman, built the first defensive fortress (an earthen mound with a strong wooden tower on top) in 1250. His lands were later granted to Thomas De Clare who built the first stone castle on the site. About this time Bunratty became a large town of 1,000 inhabitants.In 1318 Richard De Clare, son of Thomas was killed in a battle between the Irish and the Normans. His followers were routed and the castle and town were completely destroyed. The castle was restored for the King of England but was laid waste in 1332 by the Irish Chieftains of Thomond under the O'Briens and MacNamaras. It lay in ruins for 21 years until it was rebuilt by Sir Thomas Rokeby but was once again attacked by the Irish and the castle remained in Irish hands thereafter.
MacNamaras and O’Briens
The powerful MacNamara family built the present structure around 1425 but by 1475 it had became the stronghold of the O'Briens, the largest clan in North Munster. They ruled the territory of North Munster and lived in great splendor. The castle was surrounded by beautiful gardens and it was reputed to have a herd of 3,000 deer.Under Henry VIII's 'surrender and re-grant' scheme, the O'Brien's were granted the title 'Earls of Thomond' and they agreed to profess loyalty to the King of England. The reign of the O'Briens came to an end with the arrival of the Cromwellian troops and the castle and its grounds were surrendered. The O'Briens never returned to Bunratty but later they built a beautiful residence at Dromoland Castle, now a luxury 5 star hotel.
Plantation Families
Bunratty Castle and its lands were granted to various Plantation families, the last of whom was the Studdart family. They left the castle in 1804 (allowing it to fall into disrepair), to reside in the more comfortable and modern Bunratty House, which is open to the public in the grounds of the Folk Park.Bunratty returned to its former splendor when Viscount Lord Gort purchased it in 1954. The extensive restoration work began in 1945 with the help of the Office of Public Works, the Irish Tourist Board and Shannon Development. It was then opened to the public in 1962 as a National Monument and is open to visitors year round. It is the most complete and authentically restored and furnished castle in Ireland.
- See more at: http://www.shannonheritage.com/BunrattyCastleAndFolkPark/BunrattyCastle/#sthash.CDYGKgPY.dpuf
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