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!
Oh this looks like soooo much fun! I love the venue and the costumes!
Reading about your travels through Ireland makes me want to go even more! Touring the castles in Ireland sounds fantastic. I’d love to try the parsnip soup too.
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.
Banrayty Castle visit sounds so delightful. I love listening to the harp.
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.
This sounds so much fun! I love visiting castles and i would like to experience the entertainment and banquet at bunratty castle someday. 🙂
I am totally obsessed with castles! When we visited Europe, I lost count of how many we toured…some guided and some abandoned ruins. All were fascinating as could be!
Glad you had a wonderful experience on this trip. There’s nothing like seeing the other side of the world you’re not familiar with.
I love taking these guided tours and thoroughly scan different sites to get the best options. And I love to visit castles.
A trip to Ireland is magical. This banquet dinner sounds like a really fun evening! Although your group was split up it seems you all enjoyed meeting new people and partaking in the silverware free meal.
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.
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.
It sounds like you had a fabulous time. Great experience to reenact the past.
Had a lovely evening last weekend at Bunratty banquet. A great nights entertainment. Lovely food and lovely people. I would strongly recommend.
This looks incredible! I would love to do something like this one day! 😀 xx
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What fun! I’d love to even visit a castle, and here you are eating dinner in one!
I would like to go somewhere on the Ireland seaside! I am looking a place like Cabo da Roca in Portugal, with the same energy and view! 🙂
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.
How amazing being able to experience something like that! I love the dinner with entertainment – so cool!
Love the photos with this – sounds like they all stayed in character well! Ireland has a magical quality.
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 ☺️
That is a very beautiful castle. Its awesome that they reenact the past.
This sounds a little like a place I went to in Branson, Mo. I bet it was really fun and the food was good.
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!
Having dinner in a castle sound magical! I want to try the Parsnip Soup!
wow! it sounds majestic! How fun! thank you for sharing your adventures with us!