Adare & Bunratty Driving Tour
When you visit Bunratty Folk Park you experience a living reconstruction of the homes and environment of Ireland of over a century ago. Set on 26 acres, the impressive park features over 30 buildings in a ‘living’ village and rural setting.
Rural farmhouses, village shops and streets are recreated and furnished as they would have appeared at that time according to their social standing, from the poorest one roomed dwelling to Bunratty House a fine example of a Georgian residence for the gentry built 1804 home of the Studdarts, the last family to occupy Bunratty Castle.
Bunratty Folk Park contains examples of many houses and other buildings, which provide a rich store of information and insight into the country’s past. Eight farmhouses represent every area of North Munster. These exhibits are exact copies of buildings that existed in the region in the 19th century, and have been furnished and decorated in the style of that time. Set on 26 acres the impressive Park features over 30 buildings in a ‘living village’ setting.
Duration: 6-8 hours
“Two roads diverged in a wood and sorry I could not travel both
– I took the one less travelled and that’s what made all the difference”
There are eight farmhouses representing every area of North Munster, two watermills, a blacksmith’s forge, a church, a recently restored walled garden, a village street complete with pub, post office, school, doctor’s house, hardware shop, printers, drapery shop, pawn shop, and village hotel. Traditional skills of the period are put to everyday use in the settings in which they were nurtured. On your visit, you can see crafts such as bread baking, weaving, ice cream and pottery making.
Another very interesting feature at the park is the formal Bunratty Walled Gardens, modelled on the original Regency period garden which supplied fruit, vegetables and flowers to Bunratty House built in 1804 (and now furnished in typical Victorian style). To round off a truly memorable visit drop in to the fully licensed, old world Mac’s pub on the village street, which is renowned for its delicious home-cooked food.
Adare Village
Most visitors come to Adare to see the pretty thatched cottages along the main road.
Adare’s parish church is one of the oldest monastic churches. Previously, there were three monasteries and one of them is now being used as the parish church.
Looking for accommodation?
Larkinley Lodge is a family owned and run Luxury B&B only minutes from the engaging centre of Killarney town. A high standard of accommodation and comfort awaits all guests and you are assured of personal attention from your hosts Toni and Danny…
Tel: +353 64 6622447
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.larkinley.ie
Killarney Private Tours is based at:
2 Lewis Road, Killarney,
Co. Kerry, Ireland, Post Code V93PC44
We operate throughout the South West of Ireland and, on request can collect and drop to all major transport hubs; ie; Dublin, Cork & Shannon Airports and rail stations.