Bunratty Castle

Pictures taken at Bunratty castle in Bunratty on our Summer holiday in Ireland 2015
Citroen Traction Avant Citroen Traction Avant (1952-1957) : Bunratty, Ireland, Irlanti, castle, historia, history, kesäloma, linna, matka, summer holiday, travel Bunratty Castle The first recorded settlement at the site may have been a Norsemen settlement/trading camp reported in the Annals of the Four Masters to have been destroyed by Brian Boru in 977. The fourth castle, the present structure, was built by the MacNamara family after around 1425. Its builder may have been one Maccon Sioda MacNamara, chieftain of Clann Cuilein (i.e. the MacNamaras). He died before the castle was completed which happened under his son Sean Finn (died in 1467). At around 1500, Bunratty Castle came into the hands of the O'Briens (or O'Brians), the most powerful clan in Munster and later Earls of Thomond. They expanded the site and eventually made it their chief seat, moving it there from Ennis. In 1956, the castle was purchased and restored by the 7th Viscount Gort, with assistance from the Office of Public Works. He reroofed the castle and saved it from ruin. The castle was opened to the public in 1960, sporting furniture, tapestries and works of art dating to around 1600. : Bunratty, Ireland, Irlanti, castle, historia, history, kesäloma, linna, matka, summer holiday, travel Bunratty Castle The first recorded settlement at the site may have been a Norsemen settlement/trading camp reported in the Annals of the Four Masters to have been destroyed by Brian Boru in 977. The fourth castle, the present structure, was built by the MacNamara family after around 1425. Its builder may have been one Maccon Sioda MacNamara, chieftain of Clann Cuilein (i.e. the MacNamaras). He died before the castle was completed which happened under his son Sean Finn (died in 1467). At around 1500, Bunratty Castle came into the hands of the O'Briens (or O'Brians), the most powerful clan in Munster and later Earls of Thomond. They expanded the site and eventually made it their chief seat, moving it there from Ennis. In 1956, the castle was purchased and restored by the 7th Viscount Gort, with assistance from the Office of Public Works. He reroofed the castle and saved it from ruin. The castle was opened to the public in 1960, sporting furniture, tapestries and works of art dating to around 1600. : Bunratty, Ireland, Irlanti, castle, historia, history, kesäloma, linna, matka, summer holiday, travel Bunratty Castle The first recorded settlement at the site may have been a Norsemen settlement/trading camp reported in the Annals of the Four Masters to have been destroyed by Brian Boru in 977. The fourth castle, the present structure, was built by the MacNamara family after around 1425. Its builder may have been one Maccon Sioda MacNamara, chieftain of Clann Cuilein (i.e. the MacNamaras). He died before the castle was completed which happened under his son Sean Finn (died in 1467). At around 1500, Bunratty Castle came into the hands of the O'Briens (or O'Brians), the most powerful clan in Munster and later Earls of Thomond. They expanded the site and eventually made it their chief seat, moving it there from Ennis. In 1956, the castle was purchased and restored by the 7th Viscount Gort, with assistance from the Office of Public Works. He reroofed the castle and saved it from ruin. The castle was opened to the public in 1960, sporting furniture, tapestries and works of art dating to around 1600. : Bunratty, Ireland, Irlanti, castle, historia, history, kesäloma, linna, matka, summer holiday, travel
Entrance One of the small doors currently allowing access to the castle. : Bunratty, Ireland, Irlanti, castle, historia, history, kesäloma, linna, matka, summer holiday, travel The Changing Castle History and develoment of Bunratty castle. : Bunratty, Ireland, Irlanti, castle, historia, history, kesäloma, linna, matka, summer holiday, travel Bunratty Castle The Main Guard. A place where "common" people of the castle ate and spent time. : Bunratty, Ireland, Irlanti, castle, historia, history, kesäloma, linna, matka, summer holiday, travel Bunratty Castle Captain's Quarters, named for the Captain of the Guard. : Bunratty, Ireland, Irlanti, castle, historia, history, kesäloma, linna, matka, summer holiday, travel
Bunratty Castle Captain's Quarters, named for the Captain of the Guard. : Bunratty, Ireland, Irlanti, castle, historia, history, kesäloma, linna, matka, summer holiday, travel Bunratty Castle Dungeon stairs : Bunratty, Ireland, Irlanti, castle, historia, history, kesäloma, linna, matka, summer holiday, travel Bunratty Castle Dungeon and one unlucky resident. : Bunratty, Ireland, Irlanti, castle, historia, history, kesäloma, linna, matka, summer holiday, travel Bunratty Castle The Great Hall. The original banquet hall and audience chamber of the Earls of Thomond. The Earl gave judgements while sitting in his Chair of Estate. The walls are hung with French, Brussels and Flemish tapestries. The oak dower-cupboard is dated 1570, and the 16th century standard displayed the coat of arms of the reigning family. : Bunratty, Ireland, Irlanti, castle, historia, history, kesäloma, linna, matka, summer holiday, travel
Bunratty Castle The Great Hall. There was no chimney, smoke passed through an opening in the roof instead. If it passed.... : Bunratty, Ireland, Irlanti, castle, historia, history, kesäloma, linna, matka, summer holiday, travel Bunratty Castle A wood carving in the Great Hall. : Bunratty, Ireland, Irlanti, castle, historia, history, kesäloma, linna, matka, summer holiday, travel Bunratty Castle A 16th century tapestry from Bruessels depicting the story of David and Absalom. This used to be very bright but the colours have faded during the time. : Bunratty, Ireland, Irlanti, castle, historia, history, kesäloma, linna, matka, summer holiday, travel Bunratty Castle A 16th century tapestry : Bunratty, Ireland, Irlanti, castle, historia, history, kesäloma, linna, matka, summer holiday, travel
Bunratty Castle A Gothic high-tiered buffet and on top of it is a 15th century carved figure of St. George and the dragon, from South Germany. : Bunratty, Ireland, Irlanti, castle, historia, history, kesäloma, linna, matka, summer holiday, travel Bunratty Castle A 16th century iron clock : Bunratty, Ireland, Irlanti, castle, historia, history, kesäloma, linna, matka, summer holiday, travel Bunratty Castle The Lower Chapel. Has a finely decorated 16th century stucco ceiling and several precious artefacts including a 15th century Swabian altar piece. The chaplain's bedchamber is immediately overhead, and his robing room directly across the hall. : Bunratty, Ireland, Irlanti, castle, historia, history, kesäloma, linna, matka, summer holiday, travel Bunratty Castle The kitchen. Large turtle shells above the fireplace were used as covers for plates and also serving dishes. : Bunratty, Ireland, Irlanti, castle, historia, history, kesäloma, linna, matka, summer holiday, travel
Bunratty Castle Earl's Bedroom. This is located in the North Solar and it was the private area reserved for the Earl and his family. The bed is a 15th century English and very ornate. : Bunratty, Ireland, Irlanti, castle, historia, history, kesäloma, linna, matka, summer holiday, travel Bunratty Castle North Solar living area. : Bunratty, Ireland, Irlanti, castle, historia, history, kesäloma, linna, matka, summer holiday, travel Bunratty Castle Gothic iron skeleton clock, located at the Great Solar (=North Solar). : Bunratty, Ireland, Irlanti, castle, historia, history, kesäloma, linna, matka, summer holiday, travel Bunratty Castle Leuchterweibchen, a German style early chandelier. : Bunratty, Ireland, Irlanti, castle, historia, history, kesäloma, linna, matka, summer holiday, travel
Bunratty Castle Earl's Private Chapel. Under the small window there is a painted Italian cassone with a 17th century funeral helmet and a large Medieval sword of state. : Bunratty, Ireland, Irlanti, castle, historia, history, kesäloma, linna, matka, summer holiday, travel Bunratty Castle A beautifully decorated ceiling in Earl's private chapel. : Bunratty, Ireland, Irlanti, castle, historia, history, kesäloma, linna, matka, summer holiday, travel Bunratty Castle A view from the North Solar tower roof. : Bunratty, Ireland, Irlanti, castle, historia, history, kesäloma, linna, matka, summer holiday, travel Bunratty Castle North Solar stairs. : Bunratty, Ireland, Irlanti, castle, historia, history, kesäloma, linna, matka, summer holiday, travel
Bunratty Castle The Robing Room. The Earl kept his official robes here before entering the Great Hall and also conducted private interviews. : Bunratty, Ireland, Irlanti, castle, historia, history, kesäloma, linna, matka, summer holiday, travel Bunratty Castle The Robing Room. The Earl kept his official robes here before entering the Great Hall and also conducted private interviews. : Bunratty, Ireland, Irlanti, castle, historia, history, kesäloma, linna, matka, summer holiday, travel Bunratty Castle The South Solar Bedroom with a carved oak bed, richly decorated. : Bunratty, Ireland, Irlanti, castle, historia, history, kesäloma, linna, matka, summer holiday, travel Bunratty Castle South Solar Living Area, in the background there's a portrait of Lady Gort by Philip De Laszlo (Lady Gort together with Lord Gort had the castle restored). This room was Lord and Lady Gorts' favourite place in the castle. : Bunratty, Ireland, Irlanti, castle, historia, history, kesäloma, linna, matka, summer holiday, travel
Bunratty Castle South Solar Living Area ceiling. : Bunratty, Ireland, Irlanti, castle, historia, history, kesäloma, linna, matka, summer holiday, travel Bunratty Castle Stained Glass window : Bunratty, Ireland, Irlanti, castle, historia, history, kesäloma, linna, matka, summer holiday, travel Bunratty Castle South Tower stairs : Bunratty, Ireland, Irlanti, castle, historia, history, kesäloma, linna, matka, summer holiday, travel Rooster and hen A rooster having a say. : Bunratty, Ireland, Irlanti, castle, historia, history, kesäloma, linna, matka, summer holiday, travel