Flying into Shannon and plan to spend first night in Bunratty. Has anyone visited the Bunratty Castle and Folk Park? What about the Bunratty Castle Medievil Banquet? a tourist trap or worthwhile?

Hi Mo: <BR>Did both and really enjoyed them. Yep, touristy....but we were tourists! <BR>Have a great time!

MO, we just returned from Ireland-we were a group of 10 friends (you can read my trip report if you like that sort of thing under "10 of us....). <BR>We went to the Bunratty Banquet-and I was hoping my friends would enjoy it-my husband and I had been before but it had been a long time. <BR>Let me tell you that it was wonderful. <BR>Esp. for your first night-a nice Irish night-with wonderul singing and actually the food was really good and plentiful. All 8 of our friends enjoyed it and so did my husband and I <BR>(again). <BR>Plus, on our first night we did not have to go "scouting" for a place to eat and hear good music. <BR>Patti

<BR>We didn't go inside, but it does look a little cheezy. I will tell you that it's the only game in town -- not much that would be appealing to tourists in the nearby area. <BR> <BR>Frommer's, although acknowledging its touristy-ness, did recommend it. Apparently the pub across the street does surprisingly attract many locals that sing on the odd night.

My husband and I went to the Bunratty Castle almost two years ago. Obviously, people differ, but we thought it was very cheesy and just plain dumb. After that, we were very lukewarm about attending the banquet, but decided to do it anyway. On the way to the Banquet, we ran into a huge crowd and found out that there was a big hurling match going on. We went to that instead and had a great time mixing with the locals at a sporting event and didn't regret for a second missing the banquet. I'd consider going if I had kids, but wouldn't bother without kids.

Hi Mo, We did enjoy the Bunratty Folk Park, but unfortunately, it was raining on and off on the day we went...problem with that is that all the smoke from the fireplaces tend to downdraft back into the buildings instead of going up and out of the chimneys. Some were so full of smoke that we could barely see or breathe. I would definitely NOT go unless it is a day with no threat of rain!

There's a nice little pub--thinking it's Durty Nellie's--near the castle and in the fairly new Bunratty Castle Hotel (not a real castle) there is a pub that I remember is called Kathleen's. It has meals and contemporary Irish music--not the medieval thing. They have Irish nights when the feature step dancing and singing. Food is good--I remember I had a nice fish. Haven't been to the medieval banquet for many, many years and I think I'd agree that I'd do it with kids but probably skip it without and just go to the pub at the hotel. Bunratty Castle Hotel probably has a website if you search with Google.

We had our kids with us and we all thought it was a blast. The large number of Irish-Americans in the crowd, seemingly from the same Bostonian extended family, added a good bit to the atmosphere. <BR> <BR>There is also a nightly folk music and dancing celebration on the castle grounds outside, which may strike some as less contrived than the banquet. <BR> <BR>And yes, Durty Nellies across the street has good food and frequent music (even in the afternoon).

Just returned from Ireland last Sunday and we did the Bunratty thing. Food surprised us as it was good and the singing was excellent... but it was VERY crowded; you're sitting elbow to elbow on benches for a pretty long time. If we had it to do again, we would skip it. Didn't do the Folk Park so that may be worthwhile and then eat elsewhere. FYI, it rained off and on and we needed sweaters and/or jackets the whole time. Still beautiful though.

We went to the Medievel dinner at the castle. While the singing was quite entertaining, it was over-priced. And the food was not good at all. In fact, the pork served at our table was partially raw and one of our tour group got very ill that evening.

My husband's from Ireland, and really didn't want to go to Bunratty, but my sister was visiting, so he caved. He absolutely loved it! Yes, it's cheesy and touristy, but it's also fun if you have the right attitude. And we weren't the only ones under the age of 50 there either (we were 25 when we went). It also turned out that my husband had gone to school with one of the performers. <BR> <BR>Drink lots of mead and wine, and just enjoy yourself. <BR> <BR>I have to ask--if you knew the pork was raw, why in the world would you eat it?

Just got back from Ireland, England, France. Stayed at a beautiful B&B in Bunratty - and yes went to Bunratty Castle for their medieval dinner. Tourist trap (I didn't mind a bit because I knew that going in), but great!!!The music, entertainment, food was lovely. Be sure to visit Dingle. One of the most beautiful spots in Ireland.

Hi Mo! I was in Ireland this past Sept. with my Mom and 90 yr. old grandmother, flew into Shannon, spent first night a a wonderful B&B in Bunratty right down the road from Bunratty Castle. We did the Banquet that night and had a BLAST!!!!! Would have loved to gone through the Folk Park but we did not have time, this time!!!!!