Bunratty Castle & Folk Park

Bunratty Castle & Folk Park Bunratty Castle & Folk Park Bunratty Co Clare Ireland V95 TY02 A Window on the Past at Bunratty, Co. Clare.
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At Ireland’s premier visitor attraction, you are invited to explore three wonderful experiences – the acclaimed 15th century Bunratty Castle, the 19th century Bunratty Folk Park and the Village Street. Bunratty Castle
The Castle is the most complete and authentic medieval fortress in Ireland. Built in 1425, it was restored in 1954 to its former medieval splendour and now contains mainly 15th and

16th century furnishings, tapestries, and works of art which capture the mood of those times. Today, the castle stands peacefully in delightful grounds. The houses and cottages of the folk park spread out at the foot of its massive walls, much in the way that the cottages and crofts of old would have clustered around its base. We invite you to wander through the castle and marvel at the finest collection of medieval furniture in the country which brings to life a vital part of our Medieval past. Bunratty Folk Park
Featuring over 30 buildings in a ‘living’ village and rural setting. 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 built 1804 home of the Studdarts, the last family to occupy Bunratty Castle.

16/07/2026

🏰🍦🏠 Bunratty Castle and Folk Park will play host to the HB Time Machine this Saturday, July 18, with a specially created pop-up exhibit celebrating 100 years of HB Ice Cream.

Bunratty is already home to the original Hazelbrook House, the very heart of the dairy farm where the Hughes family produced the first HB ice cream.

Faced with demolition in 1996 due to expanding business needs at the Rathfarnham plant, Hazelbrook House was saved thanks to the vision of Ms Jean Thompson, of Premier Dairies, who approached Shannon Heritage to preserve the building, identifying Bunratty Folk Park as the ideal new home.

The house was deconstructed stone by stone, transported to Bunratty on numbered pallets, and rebuilt on site, with construction commencing in October 2000. Following recent refurbishment and redecoration, Hazelbrook House now stands proudly within the Folk Park, open for visitors to explore and learn about its fascinating history.

🔗 Read more: https://www.clarecoco.ie/council/newsroom/news/2026/time-machine-lands-bunratty-castle-folk-park-celebrate-100-years-hb-ice-cream

🍦HB’s Ice Cream Time Machine is wrapping up its national tour right here at the iconic Bunratty Castle & Folk Park THIS ...
16/07/2026

🍦HB’s Ice Cream Time Machine is wrapping up its national tour right here at the iconic Bunratty Castle & Folk Park THIS Saturday, July 18th, and you won’t want to miss it!🍦

Get ready for a day filled with nostalgia, fun and plenty of sweet treats as this immersive pop-up experience brings generations of HB memories to life. Enjoy FREE ice cream, exciting games, fantastic photo opportunities, and the chance to win some amazing prizes along the way.

📍Bunratty Castle & Folk Park
🗓️Saturday, July 18th
⏰10:00am- 6:00pm

Bring your family, gather your friends, and join us for a memorable celebration of a century of Ireland's favourite ice cream. See you there for the last stop on this unforgettable journey through HB history! ❤️🍦

📖Did you know this was the original 1898 home of the Hughes Brothers, the founders of HB Ice Cream? It originally stood in Rathfarnham, Dublin. To save it from demolition, the entire facade was taken down stone by stone, transported, and masterfully rebuilt right here in the park!

Get your tickets now: www.bunrattycastle.ie

☀️ Sunday Funday at Bunratty! ☀️Gorgeous weather is on the way, so make a full day of it this Sunday, July 12th, with ca...
10/07/2026

☀️ Sunday Funday at Bunratty! ☀️

Gorgeous weather is on the way, so make a full day of it this Sunday, July 12th, with castle adventures, folk park fun, and an Art Festival too! 🏰🎨

🏰 Wander the15th-century Bunratty Castle
🐾 Meet our resident wolfhounds, Rian & Mide
🛡️ Let the kids run wild in the Viking Playground
🔥 Watch sparks fly at a live blacksmith demo
🍞 Step into farmhouse life with baking demos
🏘️ Browse handmade wares along the village street
📖 Discover local heritage at the Dr Brendan O’Regan Centre
🥧 Rest your feet and refuel at the rustic Corn Barn

And as you wander, keep an eye out for 65 artists who will be painting live across the grounds all day as part of Day 2 of the Limerick En Plein Air Art Festival (10am–4pm) 🎨 Pause, watch, chat! It's the perfect way to slow down between adventures.

Turn your Sunday into a full-day adventure at Bunratty Castle and Folk Park! ☀️🏰

Book online 👉 www.bunrattycastle.ie

🌆 Bunratty by Twilight 🌆When the day-trippers head home, the real magic begins. ✨Enter any evening between 4-7pm and exp...
09/07/2026

🌆 Bunratty by Twilight 🌆

When the day-trippers head home, the real magic begins. ✨

Enter any evening between 4-7pm and explore at your own pace, with costumed characters ready to share tales of 19th-century Irish life along the way.

🏘️ Wander thatched cottages & farmhouses
🗺️ Free Family Orienteering trail for the kids
🥧 Dinner at the rustic Corn Barn (last orders 19:30)
🛍️ Browse handcrafted Irish gifts at Made in Crecora
🛒 Late-night browsing at the Craft & Design Store, open till 8:30pm

💶 Adults €13 | Children €7.60 | Under 2s FREE
🎟️ Book your Twilight Ticket now: https://www.bunrattycastle.ie/book-tickets/twilight-at-bunratty/

🏰 NOW OPEN: The Dr Brendan O'Regan Centre at Bunratty Castle & Folk Park ✈️We're delighted to welcome visitors to our ne...
08/07/2026

🏰 NOW OPEN: The Dr Brendan O'Regan Centre at Bunratty Castle & Folk Park ✈️

We're delighted to welcome visitors to our newest permanent exhibition, honouring the life and extraordinary legacy of Dr Brendan O'Regan — visionary, founder, educator, and peacemaker.

Born in Sixmilebridge in 1917, Brendan's ideas transformed the Shannon region from a rural outpost into a global hub of tourism, trade and industry. In 1951, he founded the world's first airport duty-free shop at Shannon — an idea that went on to be adopted by airports across the globe. From Ireland's first hotel management school to the Shannon Free Zone and the country's first new town of the 20th century, his vision shaped not just Clare, but the world.

Come explore his story through archive material, exhibits, and a striking new statue by sculptor Seamus Connolly.

🎟️ Included with general admission to Bunratty Castle & Folk Park

A small place. A profound legacy.

65 artists. One historic backdrop. 🎨This Sunday, July 12th, Bunratty Castle and Folk Park transforms into a living, brea...
07/07/2026

65 artists. One historic backdrop. 🎨

This Sunday, July 12th, Bunratty Castle and Folk Park transforms into a living, breathing open-air studio for Day 2 of the Limerick En Plein Air Art Festival! 🏰✨

Visitors are invited to:
• Wander the grounds & watch masterpieces unfold live 🖌️
• Meet the faces behind the easels 🧑‍🎨
• See how each artist uniquely interprets our heritage 🏡

Whether you are an art collector or looking for a unique family day out, come watch history come to life on canvas from 10am to 4pm.

🎟️ Standard Admission Rates Apply

👇 For more information or to apply as an artist, click here: https://www.bunrattycastle.ie/events/plein-air-festival/

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Bunratty Co Clare
Bunratty

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+35361711222

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