Friday 25 February 2000
Highlights: Bunratty Castle

Although technically today was a day based in Limerick we actually caught a bus out to Bunratty village to visit Bunratty Castle.  Originally we tried to hire a car to visit Lough Gur stone circle but all the rental places had a 3 day minimum hire requirement so that plan was adjusted.

Bunratty Castle is in excellent condition and was built in 1270 although Viking structures existed before this date.  The O’Brien’s, Kings of Thomond (half of Ireland), occupied the castle until the 17th century.

Bunratty Castle

The castle is setup as a tourist attraction with rooms recreated inside and out from different periods of Irish history.  Disappointing we. Issued out on the medieval banquets it was overbooked.

After a few Guinness beers at the local pub, built in 1600s, we headed back to our Limerick hostel for an early night.