Page 199 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Ireland

THE L OWER SHANNON  197

North Front
Bunratty Castle is unusual for the VISITORS’ CHECKLIST
high arches on both the north
and south sides of the keep. Practical Information
However, the first-floor entrance, Road map B4. Bunratty, Co Clare.
designed to deter invaders, was Tel 061 360788.
∑ shannonheritage.com
typical of castles of the period.
Open 9:30am–5:30pm daily (last
admission 4pm).
Closed 24–26 Dec. & 0
7 to Folk Park. Banquets see p340.
Transport
k Shannon. @ from Ennis,
Limerick, Shannon. Castle &
Folk Park.

South Solar
The South Solar houses guest
apartments. The elaborately
decorated carved ceiling is
partly a reconstruction in the
late Tudor style.

Bunratty Folk Park
A meticulous recreation of rural life in Ireland at the end of
the 19th century, this Folk Park began with the reconstruction
of a farmhouse which was saved during the building of
nearby Shannon Airport. It now consists of a complete
village, incorporating shops and a whole range of domestic
architecture from a labourer’s cottage to an elegant Georgian
house. Other buildings in the park include a farmhouse typical
of the Moher region in the Burren (see p188) and a working
corn mill. During the main summer season, visitors can meet
with various costumed characters from the period.

. Great Hall
This Tudor standard
was among the many
furnishings that Lord
Gort brought to the
castle. It stands in the
Great Hall, once the
banqueting hall and
audience chamber,
and still Bunratty’s Main street of Bunratty Folk Park village
grandest room.

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