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Bunratty Castle is one of Ireland's top visitor attractions. A visit to the Castle, the most complete and authentic medieval fortress in Ireland and the highly entertaining Folk Park situated nearby is a wonderful experience for a family of all ages. Bunratty Castle was built in 1425, the Castle was restored in 1954 to its former medieval splendour for all to enjoy today. It now contains mainly 15th and 16th century furniture, tapestries and works of art, which capture medieval times. You can admire at the finest collection of medieval furniture in Ireland, which brings to life a vital part of the Celtic past and the heritage of Co. Clare. At night-time, the Castle is the impressive setting with its impressive and unique lighting. Within the grounds of Bunratty Castle is Bunratty Folk Park where old world Irish life is accurately recreated. The park covers over 26 acres, the impressive Park features over 30 buildings in a living village setting. Included are a display of 19th century agricultural machinery, eight farmhouses, two watermills, a blacksmiths forge and a church. A restored village street complete with pub, post office, school, doctor's house, hardware shop, printers, drapery shop, pawn shop and village hotel provides the main focal point for the park which will enchant both young and old. Traditional skills of the period are put to everyday use in the settings in which they were nurtured. On your visit, you can see crafts such as bread baking, weaving and pottery making. When you reach the Golden Vale Farmhouse , you will receive a warm welcome from the 'woman of the house. Another very interesting feature at the park is the formal Bunratty Walled Gardens, modelled on the original Regency period garden which supplied fruit, vegetables and flowers to Bunratty House built in 1804. To round off a memorable visit, why not drop in to the fully licensed, old world Mac's pub on the village street, which is renowned for its delicious home-cooked food. Incidentally, admission to Mac's pub after the Folk Park closes is free of charge. Buildings that bring Irish heritage to life, Bunratty Folk Park contains examples of many houses and other buildings, which provide a rich store of information and insight into the country's past. Eight farmhouses represent every area of North Munster. These exhibits are exact copies of buildings that existed in the region in the 19th century, and have been furnished and decorated in the style of that time. You can go from the Loop Head house, where the small fishing farming family lived, to the Mountain farmhouse, where children slept in the loft, to the Golden Vale, the home of the rich farmer, whose wife would have had women in to help her run the house. Then there is the Bothan Scor, a one-roomed dwelling of the poor landless labourer. The latest additions to the Folk Park include Hazelbrook House, which was built in 1898. This was home to the Hughes brothers, who started a dairy industry in the 1800s and later produced HB ice cream, which became a household name in Ireland. Learn about the evolution of ice cream making from the domestic dairy to the modern production plant. Ardcroney Church, originally built in 1824 in Ardcroney, Co. Tipperary, is another interesting building to be seen at the Folk Park. |