If we purchase tickets to attend the Medieval Banquet at Bunratty, is it also necessary to purchase entrance to the Folk Park if we wanted
to go through it? Or, is it an all-in-one package?

Thanks,

Sue

I'm pretty sure the banquet is only after the park closes. We didn't go to the banquet, but we did tour the folk park and the castle and I remember the castle closing to get ready for the banquet so we had to leave. And I remember the park buildings (though not the grounds) closing at a certain time, which was before the start of the banquet.

To reach the castle you will walk through the folk park so go earlyand look around. Business in the park finishs around 5.30 6 p.m.
Was there a few times and you will enjoy to be treated like a lord and lady for a night.
To read all about it go to :
www.shannonheritage.com/Folk_Park.htm

My sister and I went to Ireland the last week of September. Because I had never driven on the left, I wanted to make a short day of my first day driving, so we chose to go from Shannon Airport only as far as Bunratty on the first day. A little ridiculous in hindsight but now that I know more, I would probably have tried to see something else and go to Bunratty later in the day. For example, we learned (on departure) that they have a pretty substantial breakfast at the airport that we could have had. We paid an enormous amount for a mediocre breakfast at one of the hotels at the Bunratty complex because we were hungry and didn't know where else to eat. As far as the banquet is concerned, you must reserve your dinner tickets ahead of time (many bus tours book up the dinners). You must reconfirm 24 hours in advance (This meant an overseas call for me because our reservations were for our first night in Ireland). When you get to the Folk Park (presumeably earlier in the day) you first go to the Banquet queue and pay for your tickets. With that receipt you can purchase your Park tickets at a discount. There is much to see and do in the Park. We were there from 11am to about 2:30 pm. It was pouring rain and we dashed between exhibits. On a nicer day we would have spent much more time I think. Then we went to Durty Nellies for a pint(and to warm up). We went to our B&B for a nap and clean up and returned for the 5:30 banquet. We were verrrrry jetlagged by the time the banquet was over. It didn't help to drink Mead and wine. But we slept like babies. Have fun! Sally

Have your B&B make reservations for you at Mac's Pub, which is inside the Park. There's an electronic gate down the street from the Folk/Castle main entrance. Press the buzzer, and the gate will open (the locals use this way to go to the pub). Drive your car inside the gate, park, and walk up the path to the pub. Have lunch and a couple of pints. Then, if you just happen to wander thru the Folk Park/Castle after lunch -- Oh, well.