Has anyone brought small children to Bunratty Medieval Banquet? Am thinking of bringing 2 toddlers (1 and 3 years)and their parents to the 5:30 sitting.
I'm not expecting special baby food, I'm more thinking whether the atmosphere/ seting is suitable for kids.
While it's decent value for adults, who'll enjoy the entertainment and food; I'm concerned for 41 Euros per child seems expensive if they don't eat and enjoy it either.
My dilemna is that the parents will love the evening, but won't want to go without the children.
THanks in advance for your advice.

I think it would be completely unsuitable for 1 and 3 year old children.

I'm with Sandylan, especially the 1 year old. It's a long time without much interest for someone that young. Your best hope is that the child would be well behaved and bored. If the child gets cranky, then no one is happy.

Bill

my question is for you - and I'm not being rude but honestly want to know. Why would you even consider taking a 1 yo to a banquet of any sort, let alone a Medieval one?

You are seated in very close quarters. I think I just might get a tad annoyed if you were sitting in front of me and the babies started acting up, crying, and getting fidgety.

There' another show in the Folk Park. Maybe that would be appropriate for kids, but I don't know.

I would have to agree that the Banquet is far too formal and lengthy for the toddler set. I would suggest that you look at the Corn Barn festivities offered at Bunratty Folk Park. The menu is more kid friendly and the entertainment is lively and quick, http://www.shannonheritage.com/Enter...nalIrishNight/. The rate for wee tots is 2.60 Euro, which is very reasonable.

Slan Beo,

Bit Devine

agree that traditional night would be a better choice.

Bill

Having been to one of those ripoff specials, I am curious as to why ANYONE would go. I went once, disliked it, ate poor food that was like a cheap cafeteria meal, and swore NEVER again.

For the $50 it will cost you, I think you could go to a good place to each.

The highlight of the experience for me was when some guy violated one of the concoted house rules and had to sing Take Me Out to the Ballgame. I pay those prices to eat overcooked chicken and hear that song in Ireland?

The violated rule was that the guy dropped his napkin on the floor to be closer to another woman.

My 1st experience with the banquet, I have to agree with Bob. The food was terrible and the wine was worse. The wine hasn't gotten much better but the ffod seems to have improved. We did the Dunguaire banquet and the food was pretty good, but don't ever expect memorable.

For my tastes, the Bunratty Banquet was a bit too much of a circus, but the fiddle player was amazing, so I enjoyed it. I preferred Dunguaire for the setting which is much more intimate and not so brightly lit. While I understand Bob's sentiment, Dunguaire was pretty nice. The interesting bit of trivia is that these banquets are well attended by the Irish also. It's not just an American tourist trap.

Bill

Hi Tulipvase

I wouldnt advise taking children so young to that sort of Event. I've been to the Bunratty Banquet and hated every minute of it ( it was a work outing), I though it was a rip-off!

I would advise you to take parents & children to a nice Irish pub where they have trad music and you will also get some nice fresh food, and the atmosphere is much more natural and spontaneous, you will have far better craic and everyone will be more relaxed.