Bunratty Folk Park (Ireland)

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Early the next morning and after our visit to the Cliffs of Moher, we ate our breakfast and then drove southwest from Doolin toward Limerick. Our destination was Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, located between Shannon and Limerick. This post will feature Bunratty Folk Park, but the next post will be Bunratty Castle. Both attractions can be visited in approximately half a day, but one could also easily make a day of it if they wanted to get lunch here and spend longer looking at the exhibits. 

bun ratty folk park
Fisherman houses from Loop Head in County Clare

Bunratty Folk Park is set on 26 acres and is a "living museum", meaning that homes and buildings are set up the way that they would have been in the past (the 19th century), and the staff in traditional dress. The buildings have come from many different places in Ireland.

bun ratty folk park

We had a walk around the folk park, starting on the country trail where we discovered a horizontal mill, farmhouses, farm buildings, and a large area inside a group of barns that was filled with farm equipment and the largest selection of antique ploughs that I have ever seen in my life.

bun ratty folk park

As we were walking around the farm buildings, we saw the haystacks perched off the ground on stone and wooden blocks.

bun ratty folk park

bun ratty folk park

Dotted around were various antique farm equipment, such as the 'self feeder'. I did not get a good look at it, but it looks like dried ears of corn would be put into the top of it, and they'd turn the handle so that the kernels would come off. This would produce feed for animals.

bun ratty folk park

Many of the buildings were open, so we could take a look inside.

bun ratty folk park

bun ratty folk park

bun ratty folk park

There were animals in the folk park (like the donkey and pony above) as well, and another attraction are the walled gardens. These formed as part of the gardens for the castle.

bun ratty folk park

The largest building on site is a Georgian house known as Hazelbrook House, and it was built in 1898. It was owned by the family who created a famous Irish ice cream brand, HB (Hughes Brothers) Ice Cream, and the family also had a dairy. The family were more well-off than most, and this is reflected in the furnishings.

bun ratty folk park

bun ratty folk park

Outside of this house is a park filled with red deer.

bun ratty folk park

After a visit to the house, which is on the far perimeter of the folk park, we walked to the 'town' area. It contains a pub, post office, general store, printer's, and other shops that a small town would have.

bun ratty folk park

bun ratty folk park

One of the most unique buildings on site because of its colour is the building below. It is nearer to the castle. It's a fisherman's house, and it was near Kerry and used for salmon fishing.

bun ratty folk park
Cashen Fisherman's House

My next post will feature Bunratty Castle, which I visited immediately after looking around the folk park. Have you ever been to Bunratty Folk Park?

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