
This popular tourist attraction is operated by Shannon Heritage and boasts over 350,000 visitors per year.
Several years ago, I, along
with my group, was one of those visitors. We really enjoyed the unforgettable medieval
banquet eaten without utensils except for the ‘dagger’ to spear the delicious
potatoes and vegetables along with delectable ribs and chicken. Customary of
the period, you may also use your fingers to eat. The delightful soup was pureed
and served in a wooden bowl that was consumed by drinking directly from the
bowl.
For libation we enjoyed limitless pitchers of red and white wine, along with honey mead.
For libation we enjoyed limitless pitchers of red and white wine, along with honey mead.
I asked our server,
"Where in Ireland is the wine produced?" She smiled as she replied,
"California. Ireland is the land of Jameson and
Guinness, not wine."
The food was served by a cast dressed in the period costume of the 15th century with the servers providing entertainment as you partake of the authentic and enjoyable Irish feast. It was a truly enchanting evening from the moment we arrived.
The food was served by a cast dressed in the period costume of the 15th century with the servers providing entertainment as you partake of the authentic and enjoyable Irish feast. It was a truly enchanting evening from the moment we arrived.
These enjoyable medieval banquets
have been an almost nightly event since 1963, but they do not represent
Bunratty Castle's turbulent past which included civil war, occupation and bloodshed
along with the building's destruction, three times over.
The present structure was vacated when the roof
of the great hall collapsed in the latter part of the 19th century. The castle
fell into great despair until it was purchased in 1954 by Viscount Lord Gort, who,
with the help of the Irish Tourist Board and Government, restored the stone stronghold.
In 1960 Bunratty Castle was opened to the public as a national monument.
It was a special treat for
this writer to be in County Clare where my grandmother, Mary Hocking, was born
and who, at the tender age of 17, departed for America.
The Irish Gift House wishes
to thank guest blogger Barbara M. for this post.
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