Dwellings on the site where Bunratty Castle is situated began in 970 as a Viking Trade Camp. Since the establishment of the trade camp, four castles have been built there. Caisleán Bhun Raithe or Bunratty Castle is situated in Bunratty village or Bun Ráite in County Clare near Shannon. The name Bunratty means the bottom or the end of the Ratty river in which the river runs alongside the castle flowing into the Shannon estuary.

The first defensive fortress was built in 1270 known as a “motte and bailey castle” by a Norman, Robert De Muscegros. The first stone structure was built by Thomas de Clare after the lands were granted to him. Thomas’s son, Richard de Clare, Steward of Forest of Essex became the holder of the castle until his death. Richard was killed in the Battle of Dysert O’Dea during the Irish Bruce Wars between the Irish and Normans in 1318. After his death the castle was

destroyed by the O’Brien clan. For quite a number of years, the O’Briens were the most powerful clan in Munster.

Next, the castle was restored for the King of England. In 1332, the castle was again destroyed by the Irish Chieftains of Thomond under the O’Briens and MacNamaras. After sitting in ruins for 21 years, the castle was rebuilt by Sir Thomas Rokeby in 1353. The castle was yet again destroyed by the Irish and to this day remains with the Irish.

The MacNamaras built what is now the current structure in 1425 and 50 years later, the O’Briens took over and resided in the castle. In 1646, during the Irish Confederate Wars, Barnabas O’Brien, 6^th Earl of Thomond left Bunratty allowed an English Parlieamentary garrison to land in Bunratty. After Donagh MacCarthy, Viscount Muskerry besieged the castle, Barnabas O’Brien fled to England for his safety. Bunratty castle and the surrounding land were granted to the Stoddert family who left the castle for more modern comfortable living in Bunratty House in 1804. The castle then fell into disrepair.

Bunratty Castle remained unoccupied until Standish Robert Gage Prendergast Vereker, 7^th Viscount Gort purchased Bunratty Castle in 1954. The 7^th Lord Gort then restored the castle. He reroofed the previously uninhabited castle saving it from complete ruin. He also furnished the castle incorporating his own collection of antiques and is considered the most complete and authentically restored castle in Ireland. The castle has been open to the public since 1960. In 1976 when Lord Gort died, he gifted the castle and all its contents to the Irish people.

On the surrounding land with Bunratty Castle is Bunratty Folk Park. The Folk Park is a wonderfully quaint setting of 19^th Century Ireland. You will find a variety of authentic buildings such as farm houses, shops, and mills in the Folk Park. Not only are you able to wander among the buildings, but able to mingle and chat among those in the village.

After a day of exploring the castle and wandering the village, the Corn Barn welcomes you to a traditional Irish night of great traditional Irish food. Your meal would begin with either Irish Cream Liqueur or Mead Honey Wine, while you then would enjoy traditional Irish stew with boiled potatoes or poached Irish salmon with boiled potatoes. Dessert is either homemade apple pie and fresh cream or traditional barm brack. Traditional Irish song and dance follow the meal.

Bunratty Castle and Folk Park is a great place to be able to experience 19^th Century Ireland in the Folk Park and enjoy the many centuries of history in Bunratty Castle.