Brunratty Castle and Folk Park

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Bunratty Castle is a large 15th-century tower house in County Clare, Ireland. https://www.bunrattycastle.ie/

The castle and adjoining folk park are one of Ireland’s top tourist attractions. The current structure is the forth castle to occupy the site.

This one was built by the MacNamara family after around 1425. At around 1500, Bunratty Castle came into the hands of the O’Briens (or O’Brians), dominate clan in Munster and later Earls of Thomond. They expanded the site and eventually made it their seat.

In 1720 the O’Breins sold the site. By the late 1800s the castle had fallen into disrepair. In 1956, the castle was purchased and restored by Standish Vereker, 7th Viscount Gort, with assistance from Ireland’s Office of Public Works.

Bunratty Castle opened to the public in 1960, with sporting furniture, tapestries and works of art dating to around the 1600’s.

A folk park, preserving traditional Irish homes, from the humblest to the most prosperous, has been developed on the 240 acres around the castle.

Today the property is run by Shannon Heritage a company that also operates tourist attractions Craggaunowen – The Living Past Experience, Co Clare, Knappogue – Co Clare, Dunguaire Castle, Co Galway. https://www.shannonheritage.com/about…

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