Bunratty Castle Medieval Banquet

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On our second day in Ireland, we were offered six optional excursions on the Brendan Vacations / Trafalgar Tours Irish Highlights tour. They all sounded great, so we booked them for a total of 220 euros a person. The first of these was the medieval castle banquet in Limerick.  We didn’t know which castle, but it included dinner. I had wondered if it might be at Bunratty after seeing the padded benches in the vaulted Main Guard Hall, and it turned out that I was right. We were headed to the Bunratty Castle Medieval Banquet!

The Shannon Heritage Center actually runs four different evening entertainments–two at Bunratty Castle and Folk Park near Limerick, one at Dunguaire Castle in Galway, and another at Knappogue Castle in County Clare. Reservations are required. The cost is 63 euros per adult if purchased in advance online; however, through our tour company, we paid 69 euros which included motor coach transportation to and from our destination.

Welcome

When we arrived at the castle, we ascended the stairs to the Great Hall, the original banquet hall of the castle. Once there, we received a glass of mead as our evening entertainment began. The harpist was excellent. A couple was crowned Earl and Lady of Thomond for the evening.

Dinner

After this, we went down to the Main Guard. I would suggest standing near the door. We were on the opposite side of the room, and seating was very limited by the time we entered the hall, so much so that we did not sit with anyone from our tour. To tell the truth, I think Mom and Dad were more than happy to sit apart from us. We met a nice family from Illinois, and Mom and Dad bonded with some of the Aussies and New Zealanders from our tour.

Dinner consisted of both red and white wine, spiced parsnip soup, spare ribs with a honey and whiskey sauce, fried chicken, veggies, and potatoes. In keeping with the time period, there were no utensils other than a knife or small spear. Handmade pottery was used for pitchers and dishes. Linen napkins and little bowls of water were available at each place so that you could clean your fingers.  Each dish was presented to the earl for his approval before the rest of us could eat.

The entertainment throughout dinner was superb. However, an unfortunate soul was thrown in the dungeon. Luckily, it wasn’t one of us.

Dessert

All good things must eventually come to end. Dessert consisted of a delicious apple crumble with Chantilly cream followed by coffee downstairs in a large room originally used for storage and/or stable space. While it was definitely touristy, we had a great time and would go again.

Monday, March 26, 2018

To read  about our flights to Ireland,  click here for the Cleveland to Toronto flight and here for the Toronto to Dublin flight. To read about our experience in Dublin, click here. Before heading to Bunratty Castle Medieval Banquet for dinner, we visited Galway and the Bunratty Castle and Folk Park.  Click on the links to read. Enjoy!

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26 Replies to “Bunratty Castle Medieval Banquet”

  1. I love these sorts of fun themed banquets and dinners. It’s like cosplaying and everyone gets so into it. It’s performance art AND food, such a win-win.

  2. Sounds like you all had a splendid time at Bunratty Castle. You’re so lucky to experience a snippet of the life lived by the Lords and Ladies of Europe in the 15th Century. Sounds like something I’d like to do one day.

  3. This sounds so much fun! I love visiting castles and i would like to experience the entertainment and banquet at bunratty castle someday. 🙂

  4. This sounds like a fantastic trip where you were able to really soak up the atmosphere. I’m glad you weren’t thrown in the dungeon!
    If I ever go to Ireland, I think I’ll need to look this up.

  5. This sounds like Medieval Times without the jousting but more enjoyable considering it’s a real castle. 🙂 The not eating with utensils is tough but when in a castle you might as well live the part. I did MT on a sixth grade trip with my daughters school years ago. I think the adult chaperones had a better time than the kids. I love the entertainment at Bunratty. The acoustics in there must have been awesome.

  6. Had a lovely evening last weekend at Bunratty banquet. A great nights entertainment. Lovely food and lovely people. I would strongly recommend.

  7. Such a cool adventure! This just makes Medieval Times seems sad here in the U.S., lol. I mean when you could have the authentic experience in a real castle, verses the play acting in a makeshift castle. I know you all had the best time and the pictures prove it.

  8. I have always wanted to travel (I haven’t travelled anywhere outside of Canada, and I hope this changes soon!), ever since I was a little girl, I have always dreamed of visiting a historic castle, and I am envious that you had the amazing opportunity! This place looks absolutely wonderful ☺️

    1. It is similar to Medieval Times in a way (I’ve been to the Vegas version). The main differences are the setting (genuine historic castle in Ireland) and the entertainment (music vs. jousting). But, both are fun!

  9. wow! it sounds majestic! How fun! thank you for sharing your adventures with us!

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