Bunratty Castle

BUNRATTY CASTLE

The present castle, last of a series on the same site was built around 1425. During the 16th and 17th centuries it was an important stronghold of the O'Briens-kings and later earls, of Thomond or North Munster. It is furnished with mainly 15th and 16th century furnishings in the style of the period of the Great Earl. The main block has three floors, each consisting of a single great room, or hall. The four towers each have six stories. The castle is entered by a drawbridge to the Main Guard.

The castle is part of the Bunratty Folk Park, which is a living reconstruction of the homes and environment of Ireland of over a century ago. Rural farmhouses, village shops and streets along with the Bunratty House with its formal gardens are recreated and furnished as they would have appeared at the time. In total there are 24 structures that make up the park.

Some photos follow:

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The information below is extracted from the Shannon Heritage website

Bunratty Castle History

The site on which Bunratty Castle stands was in origin a Viking Trading Camp in 970. The present structure is the last of four castles to be built on the site. Robert De Muscegros, a Norman, built the first defensive fortress (an earthen mound with a strong wooden tower on top) in 1250. His lands were later granted to Thomas De Clare who built the first stone castle on the site. About this time Bunratty became a large town of 1,000 inhabitants.

In 1318 Richard De Clare, son of Thomas was killed in a battle between the Irish and the Normans. His followers were completed routed and the castle and town were completely destroyed.

The castle was restored for the King of England but was laid waste in 1332 by the Irish Chieftains of Thomond under the O'Briens and MacNamaras. It lay in ruins for 21 years until it was rebuilt by Sir Thomas Rokeby but was once again attacked by the Irish and the castle remained in Irish hands thereafter.

The powerful MacNamara family built the present structure around 1425 but by 1475 it had became the stronghold of the O'Briens, the largest clan in North Munster. They ruled the territory of North Munster and lived in great splendor. The castle was surrounded by beautiful gardens and it was reputed to have a herd of 3,000 deer.

Under Henry VIII's 'surrender and re-grant' scheme, the O'Brien's were granted the title 'Earls of Thomond' and they agreed to profess loyalty to the King of England. The reign of the O'Briens came to an end with the arrival of the Cromwellian troops and the castle and its grounds were surrendered. The O'Briens never returned to Bunratty but later they built a beautiful residence at Dromoland Castle, now a luxury 5 star hotel.

Bunratty Castle and its lands were granted to various Plantation families, the last of whom was the Studdart family. They left the castle in 1804 (allowing it to fall into disrepair), to reside in the more comfortable and modern Bunratty House, which is open to the public in the grounds of the Folk Park.

Bunratty was to return to its former splendor when Viscount Lord Gort purchased it in 1954. The extensive restoration work began in 1945 with the help of the Office of Public Works, the Irish Tourist Board and Shannon Development. It was then opened to the public in 1960 as a National Monument and is open to visitors year round. It is the most complete and authentically restored and furnished castle in Ireland.

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1. BASEMENT - The lowest of the three central large rooms of the castle may have been used as a store room or stable.

2. THE MAIN GUARD - This vaulted hall with its Minstrels' Gallery was the main living room of the common soldiers and of the Earl's retainers. It is now used for banquets. A small gate leads to a dungeon. There are several elaborately carved cupboards of 15th and 16th century date.

3. CAPTAIN'S QUARTERS - This chamber, named for the Captain of the Guard, has a finely decorated ceiling.

4. THE GREAT HALL - The original banquet hall and audience chamber of the Earls of Thomond. The Earl gave judgements while sitting in his Chair of Estate. The walls are hung with French, Brussels and Flemish tapestries. The oak dower-cupboard is dated 1570, and the 16th century standard displayed the coat of arms of the reigning family.

5. EARL'S KITCHEN - Here the food was cooked for guests in the Great Hall. The large turtle shells were used as dishes and covers. This room had its own garbage chute.

6. EARL'S BEDROOM - The room is draped with damask and there is a magnificent carved bed. One of her ladyship's dresses (on the bed) is elaborately beaded. The 15th century cupboard with writing flap is an extremely rare example.

7. NORTH SOLAR - The private apartment of the Earl and his family. The oak panelling dates to c. 1500. The table is said to have been salvaged from the wreck of a Spanish Armada ship. Note the leuchterweibchen here and in some other rooms - flamboyant female figures often used as `chandeliers', German origin. There is a private chapel adjoining.

8. PRIVATE CHAPEL - Contains several valuable and beautiful items.

9. EARL'S PANTRY - This room may have been used as a Kitchen or Servant's Quarters.

10. PUBLIC CHAPEL (LOWER) - Has a finely decorated 16th century stucco ceiling and several precious artefacts including a 15th century Swabian altar piece. The chaplain's bedchamber is immediately overhead, and his robing room directly across the hall.

11. PRIEST'S ROOM

12. ROBING ROOM

13. UPPER BEDROOM

14. SOUTH SOLAR - The South Solar comprises of the guest apartments. The ceiling is partially a replica, in Tudor style. Furnishings include a rare virginal dated 1661 and signed 'Jacobus white, Londoni'.

15. EXIT

Interesting Feature:
The castle contains a number of 'murder holes�, which were used as a method of defending the castle in time of attack. The attackers were met with a barrage of boiling oil or water, which was pitched upon them delaying their onslaught on the castle.

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