The site on which Bunratty Castle stands was in origin a Viking Trading Camp
in 970. The present structure is the last of four castles to be built on the
site. Thomas De Clare who built the first stone castle on the site. About this
time Bunratty became a large town of 1,000 inhabitants. In 1318 Richard De Clare,
son of Thomas was killed in a battle between the Irish and the Normans. His followers
were completed routed and the castle and town were completely destroyed.
The castle was restored for the King of England but was laid waste in 1332 by the
Irish Chieftains of Thomond under the O'Briens and MacNamaras. It lay in ruins
for 21 years until it was rebuilt by Sir Thomas Rokeby but was once again attacked by
the Irish and the castle remained in Irish hands thereafter.
The reign of the O'Briens came to an end with the arrival of the Cromwellian
troops and the castle and its grounds were surrendered. The O'Briens never
returned to Bunratty but later they built a beautiful residence at
Dromoland Castle, now a luxury 5 star hotel.
Bunratty Castle and its lands were granted to various Plantation
families, the last of whom was the Studdart family. They left the castle
in 1804 (allowing
it to fall into disrepair), to reside in the more comfortable and
modern Bunratty House, which is open to the public in the grounds of the Folk Park.
Bunratty was to return to its former splendor when Viscount Lord Gort
purchased it in 1954. The extensive restoration work began in 1945
with the help of the Office of Public Works, the Irish Tourist Board
and Shannon Development. It was then opened to the public in 1960 as a
National Monument and is open to visitors year round. It is the most complete
and authentically restored and furnished castle in Ireland.
Print numbered and signed by artist.
