Tag Archives: Bunratty castle and Folk Park

Bunratty Castle and Folk Park in County Clare hosts its biggest Halloween celebration yet when Monsters, Misfits and Mayhem take over the castle grounds from Saturday October 28th to Monday October 30th. From ghosts swooping from the skies to a deathly torture chamber in the castle basement and from the witches’ kitchen to the haunted train that snakes through the Folk Park, no gravestone will be left unturned at the 26-acre visitor attraction later this month. The Witch’s Kitchen, located within the nearby Loop Head Farmhouse, will see Grandmother Witch prepare her latest magic spell in a cauldron filled with secret ingredients. The Witches come under suspicion too during the Witches Trial as Ardcroney Church is transformed into a courthouse for the event. The solemn wake of Mickey McNamara will be hosted in The Shannon Farmhouse where the farmer demonstrates he has some unresolved business to attend to as his family pray for their beloved. Visitors to the neighbouring outhouse …

CLARE County Council this week signed a contract with Lambert Smith Hampton to undertake an in-depth review of the Clare-based assets of Shannon Heritage. The property condition survey of Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, Craggaunowen Bronze Age Park, Knappogue Castle and Gardens, and the retail unit at the Cliffs of Moher Experience will guide all future investment in maintenance, remedial and conservation works at the sites. The results of the technical audit will be presented to the local authority before the end of the year. “In order to commence our programme of investment in the assets, it is of critical importance that a detailed technical audit be carried out to determine the scale and nature of appropriate repairs and retrofitting measures that may be required,” said Pat Dowling, Chief Executive of Clare County Council. “Clare County Council is committed to investing in the future development of these sites for the benefit of the tourism sector and the wider economy, as …

‘TIS indeed the season now that one of the region’s top Christmas experiences has opened its doors for another year at Bunratty Castle and Folk Park. The annual Christmas event is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year and over 31,000 people are expected to visit the site for this perennial favourite. Now firmly embedded in the heritage of County Clare, the event creates seasonal employment in the local community, with 50 additional staff enlisted this year to help create this magical experience. Commenting on the extensive preparations that go into the annual event, Susan Murphy, General Manager, Shannon Heritage said, “We are fortunate to have such a dedicated and passionate team at Bunratty Castle and Folk Park who have worked tirelessly to prepare the park for this special event. It’s a labour of love for them with preparations beginning as early as June. “A massive amount of planning and commitment has gone into the event from ensuring our light display is energy efficient, to building all …

WHILE Clare County Council is seeking, though not yet receiving, €15 million to take on the Clare-based Shannon Heritage attractions, hotelier Michael Vaughan has warned that even that vast sum may not be enough. “Even if there is an investment of €15 million and it secures the asset, secures the heritage value of these sites, what in terms of a plan will increase the number of people staying in the locality, in Bunratty, in Ennis, in other parts of Clare? “Some councillors have said there would be a multisite ticket people could get for three or four sites, but that would only help the likes of Paddywagon and the coach tours that are in and out in a flash,” said the Lahinch man. He warned that a figure of closer to €20 million would be required to bring the sites up to the required standard and to start promoting them abroad. “I think you could spend €15 million in Bunratty …

VISITORS to Bunratty Castle and Folk Park will be transported back to a time of traditional Irish hooley, through the attraction’s brand-new show.  Céilí in the Kitchen, which takes place in the Corn Barn, on the grounds of the 26-acre folk park, will feature music from top Irish musicians, dancers, and singers in the West of Ireland along with a traditional dining experience.  Shannon Heritage Brand Marketing Manager Adrienne O’Flynn said, “We are very excited to launch Céilí in the Kitchen. “A brand-new stage has been built by our team here in Bunratty as a backdrop to our new story. Céilí in the Kitchen is aimed at capturing the hearts of our audience and transporting them back to rural Irish life in the early 20th century. “In the olden days, a céilí or seisiún in an Irish kitchen would see friends, neighbours, and family all come together for a night of food, lamentations, music, singing and dancing. “The response from …

SHANNON Heritage attractions Bunratty Castle and Folk Park and Craggaunowen are set to come alive with entertainment this June Bank Holiday weekend with street theatre and Viking recreations all part of the fun. Craggaunowen is bracing itself for a Viking invasion with a thrilling exhibition of Norse Culture planned on Saturday and Sunday, June 5 and 6 from 10am to 5pm. Hide your valuables because the Vikings are going to be rampaging through the lands of Craggaunowen – you’ll feel as if you are travelling back through time to an era when Viking warriors roamed Ireland! Several battles will place during the day with warriors unleashing their fierce battle skills for visitors to witness. Battles will take place at 12.30pm and 3pm daily on the Craggaunowen Castle Green. Fighting is expected to be hot and heavy but unlike historic battles of yesteryear there will be no blood spilt. Away from the battle front, visitors can experience demonstrations of Viking skills …

THE Chief Executive of the local authority has pledged to spend the summer working to secure the national support that will be needed if Shannon Heritage’s Clare attractions are to transfer to the council. At July meeting of the authority, a number of members welcomed the announcement that a process of due diligence involving the council and Shannon Group is underway. Chief Executive Pat Dowling told members that he is putting a council team together with the necessary financial and legal expertise and that he himself will meet staff at the Clare attractions in the month of August. News of the potential transfer was announced at the end of last month. It followed a protracted period of uncertainty and intermittent closure, caused by Covid restrictions, for Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, Knappogue Castle and Craggaunowen, as well as Shannon Heritage’s other sites. The matter was noted at the local authority meeting by Councillor Joe Garrihy who described the potential transfer …

Clare Fianna Fáil TD for Clare Cathal Crowe is in talks with ministerial colleagues ahead of an expected decision on the immediate future of the Shannon Heritage sites. As things stand, sites including Bunratty Castle and King John’s Castle are due to close at the end of the month while the likes of Craggaunowen and Knappogue Castles have remained closed since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic. “I’ve spent quite a considerable amount of time this week chatting to my colleagues, including ministers with a decision-making capacity on Shannon Heritage,” said Deputy Crowe. “Minister Michael McGrath has confirmed to me that the file has reached his department and it is now being examined, with a decision due in the coming days. “I have reiterated the importance of these sites to Clare to the Minister, particularly given the year we have been facing. “This morning, I held an impromptu meeting with Shannon Heritage workers following a separate meeting I was at …