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Bunratty Castle is a folk castle located in middle of Bunratty village, in County Clare, Ireland. The castle lies between Ennis and Limerick on the N18 road, close to Shannon airport.

The word Bunratty is translated to the word end or bottom of the River Ratty. The river flows alongside the castle and into the Shannon Estuary.

The castle is sited on an original Viking Trading Camp, which dates back to about nine seventy, and is the last of 4 castles to be built on the site.

During the early fourteenth century, the castle and surrounding town were completely destroyed when Richard De Clare was killed in a battle, between the Normans and the Irish.

The castle was later restored for the English king, but it was destroyed again in thirteen thirty two by Irish Chieftains. After this it was a ruin for over twenty years until it was re-built again by Sir Thomas Rokeby.

The castle that stands today was built in fourteen twenty five by the McNamara family and they remained the owners until fourteen seventy five. It then became the home of the O'Brien's family, who were the biggest clan in Munster.

The O’Brien’s reign ended with the arrival of the Cromwell's troops, and the castle and its grounds were surrendered. The O’Brien’s did not return to Bunratty.

In the eary eighteen hundreds Bunratty castle fell into disrepair, but was finally returned to its former glory by Lord Gort who bought the estate in nineteen fifty four.

Bunratty castle today, is the most authentically completed and restored castle in the whole of Ireland, and has been open to the public since nineteen sixty.

 

Bunratty Castle Guide