National Heritage Week 2022

Bunratty Castle and Folk Park is delighted to announce a series of fascinating events in celebration of National Heritage Week 2022.

Traditional Music and Period Costume
13th to 21st August - Throughout the day

To celebrate National Heritage Week, many of staff of Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, including gardeners, porters, maintainance crew and more will dress in period attire of the early 1900's.
Join our resident musicians for live music on the Village Street in Bunratty Folk Park as they celebrate all that is wonderful about Irish Traditional Music. Bring along your instrument and join in and they perform a collection of traditional and much loved Irish Ballads and airs.



Historical Talk on the Architecture & Artifacts of Bunratty Castle.
13th to 21st August, 10.30am & 2.30pm

Join our castle guides as they give a historical talk on the Architecture & Artifacts of the iconic 15th century Bunratty Castle. Learn about the many families who occupied the walls of this iconic fortress, the construction methods and styles used for the many centuries of occupation of this castle and the many fascinating artifacts and furnishings contained within.



An Introduction to Regency Plant Collection at the Walled Garden in Bunratty Folk Park
17th to 19th  August at 10.30am and 2.30pm

Join our gardening team in the Regency Walled Garden of Bunratty Folk Park as they discuss the processes and care involved in the planting and maintenance of the many heritage and regency plants currently growing in this idyllic setting. Get gardening advise on how to care for such plants and hear the evolution of such plant life in Ireland.



The Life of the Royal Irish Constabulary Policeman 
13th to 19th August at 10.30am & 2.30pm

Meet Declan our resident RIC policeman who will reveal riveting tales of this turbulent period in Irish history.  They had a challening life and often were in risk of their lives.  Not for the faint hearted! 



Music in Irish Society 
13th to 21st August 10.30am & 2.30pm

Listen to our resident musician tell stories about the place and role of music in Irish society. In the 1900s people worked long hours but they always seemed to make time for music.



Animal Husbandry and care of animals in Bunratty Folk Park
13th to 21st August 10.30am & 2.30pm

Join our resident farmer on his daily rounds while he tends to the animals and hear a fascinating account of the breeds we look after here at Bunratty Folk Park.



Meet the Bean an Ti and learn about her life in the Golden Vale
13th to 21st August - 10.30am & 2.30pm

Learn how the house funtioned under the steady influence of the Bean an Ti  who has so many roles to juggle running a busy household such as the Golden Vale ! She'll tell you about the chores of the day including the baking of bread on an open fire, butter churning, doing laundry in an old style tub, ironing and of course the infamous Singer sewing machine !



Working in the Doctors House
13th to 21st August 10.30am & 2.30pm

Learn all about life in the Doctors House as his resident housekeeper. The doctor's house reflected his standing in the community; it was respectable but not ostentatious! He would have used his parlour as a consulting room and dispensary, often performing minor surgery on the spot!
Many of the plants and shrubs grown in this garden would have also been used for medical purposes back in the olden days.



Traditional Thatching Demonstration
15th to 20th August 10.30am & 2.30pm

Join our resident thatcher as they perform and discuss the traditional craft of thatching.
Thatched roofs are a common sight throughout Bunratty Folk Park. Did you know however that thatch is the ideal roofing material as it is cool in summer and warm in winter! In exposed regions of the Atlantic seaboard, the thatch is held down by ropes to prevent it getting damaged by strong gales.
Watch and discuss with our resident thatcher the skills and materials required to perform this traditional craft.


NORMAL ADMISSION RATES APPLY FOR ALL EVENTS

Book Tickets