COUNTY CLARE - BUNRATTY CASTLE
Bunratty Folk Park
Bunratty Folk Park, located in the grounds of Bunratty Castle is Ireland`s premier attraction. Bunratty Folk Park recreates rural and urban life in 19th century Ireland. It is a living reconstruction of the homes and environment of Ireland of over a century ago. Set on 26 acres, the impressive park features over 30 buildings in a `living` village and rural setting. Rural farmhouses, village shops and streets are recreated and furnished as they would have appeared at that time according to their social standing, from the poorest one roomed dwelling to Bunratty House a fine example of a Georgian residence for the gentry built 1804 home of the Studdarts, the last family to occupy Bunratty Castle. The village houses and shops in the Folk Park have been chosen from many different areas, to form a collection of typical 19th century urban Irish buildings including the School, Doctor`s house, Pawnbrokers, Pub, Drapery, Printworks, Grocery, Hardware shop, Pottery and a Post Office.
Costumed characters recreate the traditions and lifestyle of a bygone age and animate the Folk Park. Among these well known and loved characters are the Bean a Ti (woman of the house), RIC (Royal Irish Constabulary) policeman, Schoolteacher. Traditional jobs and crafts are also represented, milling, the forge, pottery, printing, baking, farming etc.
Bunratty Walled Garden
The beautiful walled garden at Bunratty House is a surviving part of the demesne which was originally formed around Bunratty Castle. The garden was built for the house circa 1804. As walled gardens go it is small because a large garden would have existed within the demesne, located north of the castle. This large garden would have functioned as a kitchen garden for Bunratty House and therefore it was unnecessary to have another large production garden. The garden was built on the east side of the house and beyond the stables protected from the prevailing westerly winds. It is enclosed by four original stone walls forming an irregular space. Apart from the walls, no original features remain except for a disused entrance to the south wall near the house, which would have been used by the family and a cart entrance near the south east corner, with original Iron Gates. Views from the garden to the east overlook the reclaimed salt marshes of the Owengarney River Valley and to the south toward the River Shannon Estuary.