Page 132 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Europe

130  BRIT AIN AND IRELAND

w Bunratty Castle VISITORS’ CHECKLIST

This formidable 15th-century castle is one of Ireland’s major Practical Information
tourist attractions. Its most important residents were the Bunratty, Co. Clare. Tel 061-360
O’Briens, Earls of Thomond, who lived here from the early 788. Open 9am–5:30pm daily
(Jun–Aug: 9am–6pm).
16th century until the 1640s. The interior has been restored Last entry to castle 4pm all year.
to look as it did under the so-called “Great Earl,” who died in Closed Good Fri, Dec 23–26.
1624. The adjacent Folk Park and the mock-medieval banquets & 0 7 to Folk Park.
∑ shannonheritage.com
held in the castle attract many visitors, but despite its commer-
cialization, Bunratty is well worth a visit. The Folk Park recreates Transport
@ from Limerick, Ennis &
rural and urban life at the end of the 19th century, with a Shannon Airport. Castle & Folk Park
village, complete with stores, a school, and dwellings ranging
from a laborer’s cottage to an elegant Georgian house.
South Solar
Great Hall The carved ceiling here is
The castle’s grandest room served as a partly a reconstruction in
banqueting hall and audience chamber. late Tudor style.
Among the furnishings bought by the
owner, Lord Gort, when he set about
restoring the castle in the 1950s, was this
Tudor standard.

The North Solar
was the Great
Earl’s private
apartment.

The Murder
Hole was
designed for
pouring
boiling water
or pitch onto
the heads of
attackers.

Entrance

The Earl’s Robing Room
also served as a private
audience chamber.

North Front
The entrance, raised Main Guard
well above ground This was where the
level to deter castle’s soldiers ate, slept,
invaders, is typical of and listened to music
castles of the period. from the Minstrels’ Gallery.
For hotels and restaurants see p138 and p139

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