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Bunratty Folk Park is home to some of Ireland's cuddliest and cutest animals.

The paddocks of Bunratty Folk Park are home to a variety of friendly animals.

Children and adults alike have the opporunity to learn about animals in a safe environment where education and fun combine for an exciting and unforgettable experience.

From Irish red deer and Irish Wolfhounds to goats and Connemara ponies, whatever the weather - indoors and outdoors, there's lots of fun to be had.

Enjoy a safe & enjoyable experience.

At our folk park, visitors can meet a variety of animals, including baby lambs, ducks, goats, chickens, and more. These animals were first introduced to the park in the 1960s by Pa Crowe. Our expert farmers supervise all animal interactions to ensure the safety of both visitors and animals alike.

Folk Park Animals

Our Paddocks

Conservation of rare breeds

We are very proud to showcase our animals in their natural environment, allowing them to happily graze in the paddocks around the Folk Park.

A visit to Bunratty Folk Park offers the unique opportunity to learn about these beautiful animals – how they are cared for, their feeding routines and how we ensure they experience the best level of care and comfort while resident here at Bunratty.

Learn about how we play our part in preserving breeds of animals in particular indigenous breeds of sheep, goats, cows, pigs, ponies, and poultry which would have been popular in the early 1900’s, the period on which the folk park is based upon.

The Donkeys

Our friendly donkeys Neddy Bob and Tiberius.
In old Ireland, donkeys played a crucial role in rural life. They were valued for their hardiness, endurance, and low maintenance and were often used for agricultural work such as ploughing fields and carrying heavy loads as well as being used for transportation.
In old Irish folklore, they were often used to symbolize humility and resilience.
Neddy Bob can often be seen around the park with his cart!

Meet our animals!

Irish Red Deer

Our herd of deer are comprised of our stag Cormac, doe's Deirde and Aoife, and a fawn named Sioda.
Irish Deer are Ireland's largest land mammals and are believed to have lived in Ireland since the last Ice Age (10,000 B.C).
Irish Red Deer are often featured in Irish folklore as a symbol of wild and untamed nature.

Irish Cob Horses

Our Irish Cob horses Maggie and Molly are important features of the park and are used as part of the parks daily jaunting cart rides!
Irish Cobs are known for their docile and friendly nature as well as their sturdy, muscular build making them the perfect horse for old Irish families to keep as a driving horse.
Much like the donkey, Irish Cobs were used primarily for agricultural work as well as transportation.

Kerry Bog Ponies

Despite being bought and sold separately, our full-sibling Kerry Bog ponies Dolly and Nemo were reunited in Bunratty Folk Park!
The Kerry Bog pony is a small and hardy native Irish breed which was specifically adapted to the boggy landscapes of Co. Kerry. Due to their gentle temperament and sturdy nature, they were often used as a work horse as well as for riding and driving.
The breed nearly became extinct in the mid-20^th century but has since been revived in recent decades. Now, there is said to be 450 registered Kerry Bog ponies in Ireland with roughly 50 foals being registered each year.

Droimeann Cattle

Meet our two droimeann cows, Nancy and Doreen, and two calves, Laoise and Fran.
This breed of cow is an ancient and rare native Irish breed dating back centuries.
The name ‘Droimeann’ is derived from the Irish word ‘droim’ meaning back. They are known for their distinct coloration of black or red with a white line along the back and white patches on the belly and legs.
Unfortunately, the breed saw a decline in numbers in the 20^th century and faced complete extinction. However, in recent times, a great effort is being made to increase the number of Droimeann cattle with an estimation of a few hundred purebred cattle being registered in Ireland.

The Calves

Our five calves Daisy, Petunia, Rose, Georgie and Basil are finding their feet after being born just this Spring.
Calves and Cattle were of the utmost importance in old Ireland. They provided farmers with meat and dairy.
They were often used as currency and wealth measurement in early Irish society. Owning more cattle would symbolize a family’s prosperity and high status.

The Pigs

Pippa and Danielle are the resident pigs both of which are of the breed Tamworth crossed with Gloucester Old.
The Tamworth breed originated in Ireland and comes from its ancestors who are the now extinct Irish pigs known as “Irish Grazers.”
In the year 1812, Sir Robert Peel (former UK prime minister), was greatly impressed with the characteristic of these pigs and so, imported some of them to his estate at Tamworth, England. It is from this place they derived their name.

The Lambs

Meet our four lambs named Curly, Larry, Moe and Todd!
These four lambs are fed thrice daily outside of McNamara’s pub for all visitors to view. (April - September only)
In old Ireland sheep provided various products that were essential for survival and trade. Their wool and meat were of great importance.
Sheep were sometimes used as currency or as part of tribute payments to local lords or landlords.

The Goats

These pigmy goats are a small, hardy breed known for their joyous and playful nature! They are friendly and social but can be very mischievous when left unattended.
Goats were a vital farm animal in old Ireland and were valued for their milk, meat and fibre. They were of particular value in regions with tough terrain or harsh climate that may not be suitable for other livestock.
Goats were an affordable livestock that required little maintenance and so, they were quite widespread among farmers of lower income.

The Peacock and The Peahen

Petey the Peacock and Patricia the Peahen can be seen roaming the Folk Park during the day.
Petey, the male, will be more vibrant in colour with more elaborate feathers which will fan out in a display in order to attract a mate.
Patricia, the female, will be more subdued in colour and usually more brown in order to camouflage herself whilst nesting.
In Irish folklore, the peacock was associated with immortality and resurrection.They were commonly kept in the gardens of nobility.

The Poultry

A collection of geese, turkeys, chickens, and ducks can be seen roaming the park during the day.
Poultry were very important in old Ireland and played a significant role in agriculture, diet and economy.
Eggs that were produced were a crucial soure of protein in the diet of rural Irish household. Poultry meat was also important but was more often used for special occasions and celebrations, particularly chicken and goose.
Much like in the Folk Park, farmers typically allowed poultry to roam free during the day and forage for food. Then, at night, they would be housed in simple coops and shelters to protect them from predators.
Their size, adaptability and low maintenance meant that poorer farmers and farm labourers were able to keep a small flock of chickens or ducks.
Poultry was typically managed by the women and children of the house rather than the farmer himself.

The Wolfhounds

Half siblings Rian and Míde are Bunratty Folk Park's resident Irish wolfhounds! Rían is one year old while Míde is slightly older at two years old.
This characteristically large and noble breed dates back to ancient times (as far back as 391 A.D) and were originally bred by the Celts for hunting.
Irish Wolfhounds are one of the tallest dog breeds in the world with males reaching 35 inches tall and females slightly shorter. Despite their large stature, this breed is known for their gentle and friendly nature.
This breed was so respected that they were often given as gifts to royalty across Europe and in the 15^th and 16^th centuries, Irish law stated that only kings and nobles could own this breed due to their value.
Irish Wolfhounds would have been regular guests at many medieval banquets held in Bunratty Castle.