Bunratty Castle and Folk Park

Bunratty Castle and Folk Park

Bunratty Castle and Folk Park
4.5
09:00 - 17:30
Monday
09:00 - 17:30
Tuesday
09:00 - 17:30
Wednesday
09:00 - 17:30
Thursday
09:00 - 17:30
Friday
09:00 - 17:30
Saturday
09:00 - 17:30
Sunday
09:00 - 17:30
About
Bunratty Castle & Folk Park is a must on your itinerary to Ireland. This is your chance to experience a window on Ireland’s past and explore the acclaimed 15th century Bunratty Castle and the 19th century Bunratty Folk Park. Bunratty Castle Welcome to Bunratty Castle, the most complete and authentic medieval castle in Ireland. Built in 1425 it was restored in 1954 to its former medieval splendor and now contains mainly 15th and 16th century furnishings, tapestries, and works of art which capture the mood of those times. Bunratty Folk Park Enjoy the sights, sounds tastes, scents, of this enchanting place as you stroll from house to house or around the charming village street complete with school, post office, doctors house, hardware shop, printers and of course McNamara’s pub! meet the village characters, sample some freshly baked bread by our resident Bean an Ti's (woman of the house) and for little visitors explore of quaint fairy village and pirate adventure playground
Duration: 2-3 hours
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Admission tickets
from €18.95
All you need to step foot in the door.
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  • Dee
    Cork, Ireland8 contributions
    Magical
    We went yesterday evening for the trail of lights experience and what an experience it was. My little boy loved it and we left with a little magic of Christmas. Santa was amazing and very well done. The characters around the place were fantastic and the lights were amazing. Thanks so much for what brightened our spirits well done to all
    Visited December 2022
    Travelled with family
    Written 19 December 2022
  • Susan H
    Modesto, California7 contributions
    A must see
    I love this place. It is peaceful, beautiful, interesting and very well done! It has so much Irish culture and history. Really a must see for any visitor to this area. We also did the banquet. Very personable. We felt like we were among friends. They did such a great job We had issues with our tickets and two employees, Lily and Fiona helped us out with such kindness and help! They literally saved our visit. They wanted to help us more than anything else and we felt that. Thank you to them for showing how good Irish are, and thanks to Bunratty for keeping this culture alive
    Visited March 2023
    Written 26 March 2023
  • Mary F
    20 contributions
    Beautiful morning!
    This was a return trip after a visit in 2015 and it was great fun - again. We love the castle and folk park - and, yes, even the little fairy village. The gardens weren't full bloom yet but the wisteria was gorgeous. Thank you!
    Visited May 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written 13 May 2023
  • L P
    Howell, New Jersey87 contributions
    Charming historic village
    Not crowded, you walk through historic village where there’s something for everyone. Ancient castle to explore, craftsmen’s cottages, shopping, petting zoo, playground. Staff and costumed guides very helpful. I was disappointed that mansion, one of the main spots, was not open. Flowers and botanical diversity amazing. A delightful fairy trail. A few dining options. Nice way to spend day for anyone.
    Visited May 2023
    Travelled solo
    Written 27 May 2023
  • Patricia M
    Kilkenny, Ireland33 contributions
    A fabulous day
    We visited Bunratty Castle and folk park today. We had not been for a few years and again I can say we thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish. The staff are amazing. Helpful, and so informative, especially in the town. We absolutely loved it. We had lunch and porter cake in the tea rooms and the food was excellent. Thank you to all for making our experience memorable yet again. We look forward to our return. We are blessed to have this fabulous amenity in Ireland. ❤️
    Visited July 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 5 July 2023
  • Dan kerr
    27 contributions
    Great experience interesting
    Great half day. Castle cool lot to see. Grounds 20 houses: blacksmith shop, kitchen, typical house, thatched houses. Like Colonual Williamsburg.
    Visited July 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written 14 July 2023
  • Camaaron
    Miami, Florida21 contributions
    Fun experience for all ages
    The park is a wonderful and easily walkable experience inn Shannon. You get a taste of old Ireland. It is calm and peaceful there and a fun (but chill) experience. They have a couple of shops and a small place to eat. They have a number of animals you get to see and is definitely a fun place to bring the kids. They also had a gentleman playing old Irish songs on the violin. Was a great time.
    Visited July 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written 22 July 2023
  • Karen M
    Kirkwall, United Kingdom634 contributions
    Great castle structure & lovely folk park with loads of buildings to explore
    Large free car park. Bought tickets at the entry inside through the gift shop, also cafe. Would advise to go early before the coach tours arrive, purely as the castle has narrow, steep stair ways & it got extremely congested as the tours moved around. The castle is a good medieval example of Irish history. Good restoration has taken place, with exhibits in each room. Its a tall, narrow castle, so lots of steep stair ways. From the castle its a short walk to the country folk park - clearly marked &b easy to follow map. The folk park covers all aspects of rural life in Ireland - each house/structure has been restored with original features & shows how life was. Paths are easy to follow. There is access to food/drink & toilets within the park area.
    Visited June 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 31 July 2023
  • KerryCowo
    United Kingdom29 contributions
    Fantastic place to visit with lots todo and all ages!
    We visited the folk park a castle and spent hours here taking in the great atmosphere and talking to the ‘locals’ in their houses, the blacksmith was very friendly and we had a great chat, the castle itself is beautiful with lots and lots of hidey holes for you to explore, there’s tea rooms and even a bar! Kids play park and animals. It’s a brilliant place for all ages
    Visited July 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 3 August 2023
  • nolongeryoungandsingle
    Dublin, Ireland161 contributions
    Fantastic
    What a fantastic place. We really enjoyed our day here. The whole park is really cool. The castle tour was great and the little village part with the guy playing music on the street. The pint of stout was creamy as anything in the bar and went down a treat with a toastie. We absolutely loved this place it was our favourite part of our holiday and we will 100% be back in the future. 10/10
    Visited August 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 22 August 2023
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4.5
4,563 reviews
Excellent
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1,270
Average
336
Poor
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Terrible
80

pinklady96
Galway64 contributions
Dec 2023 • Family
Avoid the Santa experience...

This was our second time at Santa and we were really looking forward to it. Whatever is going on at Bunratty of late (we have gone there during the year with our kids), it has gone downhill. For the Santa experience you get to see Santa who was very nice and very good ( albeit he didn't know the kids names or what they liked, despite us filling out the form well in advance) but the toy is not great and very cheap. My biggest issue is that both toys given to my kids should have been given to kids two years younger and were plastic... sustainability how are you. Then you have to buy the photo at 12.50 and I can't understand why this isn't included in the price. We went to the train and asked the staff what else there was and they didn't really know. The reception staff gave no information on arrival and so aside from the train, there is teacups and a merry go round. You get nothing else for your money ie no free drinks or anything, no craft making for kids like Westport House. Really very disappointing. Our shoes were destroyed from all the muck and my kids pants, they should have put gravel down on the paths. I'd advise wellies. There was apparently a puppet show but no times for that and that is outside and tends to be crowded. One guy playing the violin on the street. That is the sum total of the experience. I would skip it and go elsewhere for your money.
Written 5 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

caz
33 contributions
Dec 2023 • Family
What a shame Bunratty have really dropped the ball this year. Our 4th Bunratty Santa experience our first in 3 years. The lights and setting is absolutely beautiful. However, the experience on the whole was lack lustre. The main thing that stuck out for me was the atmosphere. The staff weren't particularly friendly. No small talk or nicesties at check in, reception and retail. The female elf who accompanied us to Bunratty was chatty and friendly. The male elves running the 3 rides were flat/didnt speak. The waiting area was miserable the wait time for the allotted hour did not have enough seats. A small play area /miniature inflatable for babies and toddlers.Nothing for the bigger kids at all!! A Perfect space for a Christmas movie/entertainment/staff interaction or music. It had no atmosphere and was lit bright. No snow machine, no complimentary hot drink and mince pie. A very dear do €140 ouch with a mediocre Santa gift (€7,gift)
Festive fiddle player, Mary Poppins and the space character the only people who interacted positively with us . Bunratty could offer so much more! Poor value for money
Written 5 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

sinead m
1 contribution
Dec 2023 • Family
Went to the Bunratty Santa experience with my three children. I cannot think of one good thing to say about it. The entire time we were there it felt like we were being moved on or being asked to check in. The elves did not interact with kids or anyone they barely smiled. There is obviously more than one santa in operation which is totally understandable but while we were in the meet Santa we could hear the other Santa talking to the family who was in with him as our Santa was talking to us. My 6 year old had a lot of questions about this. It was pouring rain when we went to leave the room we were in with santa the elf was rushing us out the door not allowing me time to put coats on my 2, 4 and 6 year old. Santa pronounced my daughters name wrong and didnt relay any of the information we had provided to them. There was no atmosphere it very much felt like a money making enterprise who care nothing about how you enjoy the trip. Beyond disappointing.
Written 3 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Kelly W
1 contribution
Dec 2023 • Business
I organised our Christmas work night out and we all thoroughly enjoyed our Christmas banquet last night, between the food, the setting and the singing it was fabulous. Thank you so much!
Written 3 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

hoben57
Houston, TX36 contributions
Oct 2023 • Family
We went to the Heritage Park and the Castle Dinner and had a great time. It was Halloween weekend and everyone was decked out in costumes. The crowds were out but the atmosphere was festive. It's nice to walk around and look at the various buildings and take in the shops. It was an interesting look at what life was like back then. The Castle dinner was a hoot. The actors were friendly and fun. The entertainment was very good. What really surprised me was the food which was very good. Yes, it was touristy but join in and have a good time.
Written 15 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Emma H
Stafford, UK13 contributions
Oct 2023 • Family
This was the last place to visit before we headed back to Dublin.
Wow we had the best few hours here, sadly the weather wasn’t on our side so we didn’t stay as long as we could have. The castle itself is stunning and the views Amazing, the little houses to look at it really is a great way to learn about Irish history
Written 4 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

GrandTour812597
Santa Maria, CA46 contributions
Oct 2023 • Friends
My friend and I really enjoyed our visit. The beauty that surrounds the castle is also worth a visit. Put your walking shoes on and enjoy the self guided tour!
Written 1 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jeff N
Phoenix, AZ116 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
Great restored castle, with opportunities to climb thru all the many rooms! Then, around the castle is a vibrant folk park with period actors. Outstanding!
Written 30 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Trail_Runner_40
Lens, Belgium14 contributions
Oct 2023 • Family
This was our teens’ favorite spot on our Ireland vacation. It is a very accessible and relatable way to learn about Ireland.
Written 27 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Sarah B
London, UK47 contributions
Oct 2023 • Family
We enjoyed our visit. The different houses were interesting and the folk park is nicely laid out. Only downside for us was we timed our visit badly (a week before Halloween) so everywhere we went were piles of boxes and things being set up for that and some places were closed as they were being set up for Christmas and food options were limited. Other than that we enjoyed it. The castle is interesting but the stairs are steep, narrow and winding. Hard for little legs and those less able. But nice views from the top. Staff were friendly and helpful.
Written 26 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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BUNRATTY CASTLE AND FOLK PARK: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Frequently Asked Questions about Bunratty Castle and Folk Park

Bunratty Castle and Folk Park admission prices can vary. Entrance tickets currently cost €19.26, while a popular guided tour starts around €39.64 per person.