halsar

Anybody been to the tourist dinners at the Bunnratty or D_________ Castles? I heard they are ourist but good what do you hink? Is it worth the money should we book in advance?

TimS

The Lonely Planet Ireland guidebook says the banquet at Dunguaire Castle is smaller, quieter, and more pleasant than the one at Bunratty.

Here is Rick Steves' description of the Dunguaire banquet: "The evening is as intimate as 55 tourists gathered under one time-stained, barrel-vaulted ceiling can be. You get a decent four-course meal with wine (or mead if you ask sweetly), served amid an entertaining evening of Irish tales and folk songs. Remember that in medieval times it was considered polite to flirt with wenches. It's a small and multi-talented cast: One harpist and three singer/actors who serve the 'lords and ladies' between tunes. The highlight is the 40-minute stage show--featuring songs and poems by local writers--that comes with dessert."

CAPH52

I think it really depends on what appeals to you. I'm sure you'll hear from people who've been there more recently. But my husband and I did the Bunratty dinner 24 years ago. I enjoyed it more than my husband did. I have a higher tolerance for "touristy"! (Although I suspect that my tolerance is not as high now as it was then.) I thought it was fun. And, frankly, I would really like to have taken our kids when we were in Ireland in March. But it just didn't fit into our schedule. We were traveling with family and that's something my brothers would definitely NOT have wanted to do! I would have been even happier to check out Dunguaire but it doesn't open until April.

2fly

Some people in this forum that have been to the banquets. The tourists say positive things, the Irish look at it differently. I didn't dine at either place, but did visit both castles. Burnatty is MUCH nicer, big with original furniture from the 13th century, still in excellent shape. Dunguaire basically empty inside with a very strong smell that I cannot imagine myself eating there.

IrishEyes

I have been to all the medieval banquets as well as Bunratty Irish Night. They are all fun, entertaining and have good music. The food is okay but hardly gourmet. There was no smell at any of them when I attended (perhaps the tide was out when 2fly was at Dunguaire). These are my favorites in order that I liked them best:

Bunratty Traditional Irish Night
Dunguaire Castle
Bunratty Castle
Knappogue Castle

I have met many Irish people attending the events (and actually enjoying them and singing along) so it is not just for tourists. They are VERY popular so make reservations in advance.

lucielou

I think they are very touristy, but each to their own (i'm Irish by the way)

Budman

lucielou, guess what? We're tourists.

We always spend our last night in Bunratty, so maybe next time we'll try the Bunratty Traditional Irish Night.