Hi all, we are driving from Dingle to Doolin tomorrow in bad weather. Wondering if stopping to tour Bunratty Castle (would skip the folk park) on the way to Doolin is recommended. opinions appreciated!! Thank you!
Posted by
1531 posts
If you need a castle fix, sure. I really like the folk park. Complex has a substantial gift shop and you could have lunch at durty nellies
Posted by
1172 posts
There really wasn't much to the castle itself... the folk park was fun..we though it was well worth the stop
Posted by
Kansas, United States
1081 posts
Check to see if you can get tickets to the Medieval banquet in the castle, we loved it!!
Posted by
California USA
4100 posts
The castle is compact and interesting. The Folk Park is great to wander around. If the weather is too misty, rainy or generally lousy, spending awhile walking around in and out of interesting buildings might be the perfect way to spend a few hours.
Posted by
12 posts
How much time should be budgeted for Bunratty Castle/Folk Park?
Could one do a morning at the Cliffs of Moher, and then Bunratty in the afternoon?
Posted by
California USA
4100 posts
About budgeting time for the castle and the Folk Park: be forewarned that even though the hours say 9-5:30, the castle closes every day at 4 pm to get ready for the evening banquet. Because we had a medical problem that took up the morning, we didn't arrive at Bunratty until about 2 pm and felt rushed. By the time we hastily ate a sandwich, looked through the castle then made our way through the park, the furthest away manor house had closed. We felt a bit rushed within our 2-5:30 time frame. I should also say that there were four of us in our group who had various ideas of how long to take pictures, watch goats cavorting, etc. We spent no time in the outlying gift shops and saved 10 minutes for the big gift shop at the exit which we knew would still be open. We were there this summer.