chip

What is everyone's favorite activity in the Bunratty area in day and night? Is it the castle tour, folk night, banquet, Knappogue banquet, Durty Nellys, Ennis, or other. We are already spending time in Doolin and seeing the cliffs and the burren. We are traveling in June and want evening fun/music within walking distance. Should we stay overnight in Ennis or closer to Bunratty? Any suggestions for places to stay?

Judyrem

We loved the Banquet and we bought the 2 for tkts for the tour of the Castle and Bunratty Folk Park. We like both very much, in fact I loved the Banquet. After having quite a few wines at the Banguet(all you can drink, white or red) we hobbled over to Durty nelly's and tater a few pints dove only a 1/4 mile to our B&B. I forget the name but it was very nice and the breakfast was great. There are quite a few within 1/4 mile of the Park and the Castle. I will try to remeber the name of the B&B for you. Judy

Ann41

It's as touristy as you can get, but I have to say the banquet's a lot of fun. Of course, most things are fun with unlimited alcohol. It's not cheap, but if you compare it to how much you'd spend in the pub that night, it's not so bad.

Budman

Had a great pub lunch at the pub on the Bunratty grounds. If you just want lunch and not a tour of the castle/grounds, take the road between Bunratty and Durty Nellys until you get to the chain link fence/gate. Hit the gate buzzer, the gate will open, drive in, park your car, and walk up the path to the pub.

We learned this from the local B&B we stayed at so we could have lunch at the pub without paying entrance fee to the castle.

DavidD

Chip,

Your decision - Ennis or Bunratty - should be based on your particular tastes and interests.

As stated by Ann, the medieval banquets are very touristy. It would seem, however, that this matters little, as a good many banquet-goers speak very favorably about the event.

Still, if you'd like to do something a bit more spontaneous, check-out Ennis' traditional music scene. Cois na hAbhna is a center for local traditional music, and it features a rather busy summer schedule. The town also has on offer a good many pubs that feature trad music, a couple of which are Brogan's and Fawl's Railway Bar, both situated on O'Connell Street. In addition, there's a trad music shop that goes by the name of The Knotted Chord which has a website that makes note of musical coming attractions. You can get the low-down at www.knotted-chord.com

As regards lodging in Ennis, there's a good B & B called Avonlea, located but a short walk from downtown Ennis. Alternatively, you can live it up a bit at The Temple Gate Hotel. (See [email protected])

Best of luck.

wojazz3

There is a fine moment in Pete McCarthy's "McCarthy's Bar" where he comes to the realization that Durty Nellie's, an very old pub (and an actual pub) is actually the pub that is frequented by all of the tourists. On the other hand, Mac's, in the folk park, is a "fake pub" built as a replica of times gone by. It is, of course, frequented by the locals. The inside information (but not anymore thanks to me), is to go to Mac's, the fake pub. BTW, there is also a pub called "The Creamery" which is across the street from the castle. Much less crowded than Durty Nellie's.

Bill