Bunratty Castle show and dinner

I have done it twice and I loved it each time. It is a lot of fun. We were served mead before dinner in the great hall. Dinner was eaten with a knife only and tries to be authentic to the period. I enjoyed the food but the whole experience of being in the castle was the focus for us. We had musical entertainment during the dinner - celtic music, harps and all. Someone (usually an American tourist) was crowned king and someone was also banished to the cellers (I don't think they actually had to go!). We were also given snuff to try and the lady opposite me took too much and couldn't stop sneezing. Yes, it is touristy but I grew up in Ireland and wouldn't miss it - a unique experience you will not get anywhere else.

I, too, have been. And isn't a lot of what we do on vacation "touristy"?

Yes, a bit touristy in between spurts of really interesting history and tour of the castle. Dinner is fun, if somewhat contrived. Music and players were very good. Pagentry was also fun.

So, is it a bit touristy? Yes. Would I recommend it. Yes, if you've no other grand plans for the evening. And the castle grounds with its' little old Irish village was definitely a day well-spent.

Have fun!!! Just remember, when things are not quite what you want them to be, just repeat loudly to yourself, "How bad can it be... We're in IRELAND!!!"

I didn't mean it to sound like I was anti touristy-places. Especially since I am a tourist. But sometimes they aren't so good. This sounds wonderful and I will make our reservations right away. Thanks very much!!

Oh, one more thing. It looks like there are two separate shows. One is the medieval banquet (which I am thinking is the one you are both talking about) and the "traditional" show in the Corn barn. It is the medieval one you both liked, right?

I was expecting it to be so cheesy and pitiful but I did enjoy it. The best part for me was the couple next to us was french and I got to translate for them. I was so excited to use my high school french for something!

I did the medieval banquet.

Yes, it was the the medieval banquet we went to.

Ah, yes, I remember it well. I was in a group of about 10 travelers, and the major domo came over to one of my traveling companions and explained that he had been chosen as the prisoner for the evening. He blushed and declined (smart fellow), and my wife promptly volunteered ME in his place!

I was thrown into the dungeon for about 10 minutes for ogling the ladies of the castle, or some such offence, and I had to grovel before the King, then sing him a tune.

I will never live it down. Many photos immortalize the event.

Sure, it's lots of fun. The entertainment is excellent and the dinner (and the mead) is terrific. Just try not to get picked as the prisoner!

ancient_mariner... they seem to have a knack for picking the REAL hams!!! hahaha

YES, kiki..the medieval dinner. It was fun. I was there with about 150 h.s. kids and 20 parents.

My couple of cents worth (adjusting for inflation and the euro):

I haven't done the corn barn but many like it more than the banquet. My understanding is that it is a better choice if you have kids as people aren't tied to their seats for 2+ hours.

I've done the banquet at both Bunratty and Dunguaire (in Kinvara) and prefer Dunguaire. The food at Bunratty was not as good (though that may have changed) and Dunguaire is much more intimate. The wine is what you would expect to be served at an all you can drink event. The show at Bunratty involves the guests a little more, though I believe each choose a king.

The music would be more aptly described as medieval though Danny Boy (English text to a tune of somewhat arguable origins) usually makes an appearance and you might hear When Irish Eyes are smiling, a tune written by a couple of early Broadway songsters. Here and there one might find some Irish trad in the presentation. I can't really remember. A good music pub is a better place to go for trad.

The shows are aimed entirely at tourists so of course it is touristy. On the other hand, it's not at all unusual to find Irish tourists in attendance.

Bill

go to trhe bunratty castle show ans dinner its just what its ssupposed to be fun for an evening

I loved it. It was fun and full of music. Go, you'll enjoy it.

I did the ceilidh in the corn barn in 2006, and it was great fun. Irish dancing (country dancing) singing, jokes and stories. The food was basic but very tasty - irish stew, potatoes, cake, etc. They offered your choice of mead, or (yummy) irish cream. All in all, while touristy, great fun.

Well, if you are the type of person who would go to Paris to visit Disney world then I am sure you would enjoy the dinner. My goodness , get a life!!!

Bunratty Castle is a GENUINE castle not Cinderella's castle at Disney. The show is fun, musicians good and dinner okay. Consider they have to feed a couple of hundred people in an hour or so. They obviously do not have chefs waiting to take your order. You can view details & menu: http://www.shannonheritage.com/Entertainment/BunrattyCastleBanquet/BanquetProgramme/

It is not just for tourists. Many Irish attend as well.

If you have a problem with tiny spiral stairs I would suggest the Bunratty Traditional Irish Night or Knappogue Castle Banquet.

How often are you going to dine medieval style in a real castle in Ireland?

Yes I did, some twenty years ago...it was a night never to forget, something like out of a Midsummer Night's Dream, that's all I can say. You of course have to start off at Durty Nellie's with a pint (one of the greatest bar/pub restaurants in the world) and then make your way to the mead and madrigals-it's quite entertaining, and well worth it (with or without somehow managing to be up on the stage at one point- and then, in the early hours of the morning, after more Durty Nellie's-somehow ending up along the side of the road, after the garda had taken away our driver-and me, speaking with a thick Irish accent that the garda (police) couldn't understand-seriously! (don't ask what that was all about!)

As the poster above points out, it is a REAL ancient castle, not a pretend one-so it is quite atmospheric, and so in that sense is quite the authentic castle experience. I have many fond memories of this place, as I used to spend a lot of time in Limerick.

IrishEyes.. I'd forgotten about those little narrow steps in that extremely narrow stairwell! I wear a size 10-11 shoe and could barely get my tippy-toes on each stair! I had to go down on my heels! hahaha

Great memories. I'd go again in a heartbeat!