Shannon Heritage | Tourist Attractions Ireland | Heritage Sites Ireland

November 2024

Bunratty to host Ireland’s largest Christmas parade

Ireland’s largest Christmas parade will roll through Bunratty on Thursday November 28th as the County Clare village is transformed into a winter wonderland.

09Sep Unique collection of vintage farm machinery to be displayed at Bunratty Harvest Day Ireland’s largest private collection of vintage machinery will be on display throughout Bunratty Castle and Folk Park on Sunday, September 22nd next when the popular County Clare visitor attraction host its annual ‘Traditional Harvest Day’. View More

August 2024 Craggaunowen Steps Back Into The Viking Age Craggaunowen will be transformed into a Viking village with medieval games, battle creations and a celebration of Norse arts, crafts and trades this August Bank Holiday Weekend (Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th August). View More

March 2024 Easter family fun at Bunratty and Craggaunowen A comprehensive Easter programme of family-friendly activities and entertainment for all ages have been announced for Bunratty Castle & Folk Park and Craggaunowen.

February 2024 Craggaunowen set for €1m makeover The popular East Clare visitor attraction of Craggaunowen is set to undergo a significant upgrade during 2024.

August 2024 Bunratty to host Ireland’s first showcase of indigenous breeds as part of Heritage Week Ireland’s first celebration of indigenous animal breeds will take place at Bunratty Castle and Folk Park on August 18th as part of a wide-ranging programme of National Heritage Week events at the County Clare visitor attraction.

September 2024 Craggaunowen marks close of tourist season with 50th anniversary celebration The 50th anniversary of Craggaunowen was marked on Friday when past and present members of staff gathered at the County Clare visitor attraction.

July 2024 Ireland’s lost crafts and local craftsmanship showcased at Craggaunowen Ireland’s traditional crafts and trades will be showcased during the 2024 Culture & Crafts Fair at Craggaunowen next weekend (July 13-14th).

June 2024 Ireland's National Circus Rolls into Bunratty Bunratty Castle and Folk Park in County Clare will host ‘The Big Top’ of Ireland’s national circus this weekend.

May 2024 The Vikings are coming! Norse Warriors to take over Craggaunowen! Norse warriors will descend on Craggaunowen this May Bank Holiday Weekend (4-5th May) when the County Clare visitor attraction is transformed into a Viking village.

December 2023 Visitor numbers increase at Bunratty Castle and Folk Park Visitor numbers at Bunratty Castle and Folk Park in County Clare have exceeded more than 344,000 for the year to date representing a 14% increase on the overall visitor count for 2022.

December 2023 Jordan lights up Bunratty for Christmas A Clare teenager who has just returned home from undergoing extensive treatment at Temple Street Hospital fulfilled a lifelong dream of switching on the Christmas lights at Bunratty Castle and Folk Park this evening.

14 Nov New Initiative To Promote One Of Ireland’s Rarest Pony Breeds The Kerry Bog Pony Cooperative Society has teamed up with Bunratty Castle and Folk Park in County Clare as part of a joint initiative to preserve and promote awareness of one of Ireland's rarest breeds of pony.

05Jul Craggaunowen hosts inaugural Culture and Crafts Fair The crafts, trades, music and old traditions of County Clare will be showcased at the inaugural Craggaunowen Culture and Crafts Fair on Sunday July 16th from 11.00am to 5.00pm.

12Jun IRELAND’S NATIONAL CIRCUS MARKS 135 YEARS WITH BUNRATTY SHOWS The 135th anniversary of Fossett’s Circus is being celebrated this month in the unique and beautiful surrounds of Bunratty Castle and Folk Park in County Clare.

12Jun Stephen Hanley Appointed To Key Clare Tourism Role Clare County Council has announced the appointment of Stephen Hanley as General Manager of Clare Tourism East, with responsibility for Bunratty Castle & Folk Park, Craggaunowen Bronze Age Park, Knappogue Castle & Gardens, and the Inis Cealtra /Holy Island Experience.

30May Review of Shannon Heritage Clare Sites Commences Clare County Council have signed a contract with Lambert Smith Hampton to undertake an in-depth review of the Clare-based assets of Shannon Heritage.

25May Exhibition Marks 60 Years Of The Bunratty Castle Medieval Banquet The 60th anniversary of the Bunratty Castle Medieval Banquet was celebrated in County Clare today with the launch of a new exhibition chartering the history, evolution and popularity of one of Ireland’s oldest running evening entertainment shows.

25May Viking Invasion At Craggaunowen Craggaunowen will be transformed into a Viking village this May 27th & 28th as the sights and sounds of the ‘Norsemen’ descend on the popular County Clare visitor attraction.

04Apr Whirlwind weekend of egg-citement at Bunratty Castle & Folk Park this Easter Visitors to Bunratty Castle & Folk Park are in for a whirlwind weekend of egg-citement at the Shannon Heritage Easter bank holiday bonanza. The iconic castle and folk park will play host to Easter themed celebrations across Saturday 8th to Easter Monday 10th of April.

January 2024 Bunratty Celebrates Ancient Pagan Festival Of Imbolc Imbolc, the ancient pagan festival marking the beginning of spring, will be celebrated at Bunratty Castle and Folk Park on February 4th.

05Dec Shannon Heritage celebrates 20 years of magical Christmas event at Bunratty Castle and Folk Park Over 31,000 visitors expected over the Christmas period 50 additional local staff hired for the festive season

October 2022 Uaimh scanraitheach agus fir bhréige diamhra ag an bhféile págánach Oíche Shamhna ag Caisleán & Daonpháirc Bhun Raite Tá babhtaí den amthaisteal agus uaimheanna scanraitheacha a bhfuil fréamhacha Págánacha acu faoi lán seoil i gCaisleán agus Daonpháirc Bhun Raite i mbliana le haghaidh fhéile speisialta Oíche Shamhna chun Samhain thraidisiúnta Éireannach a cheiliúradh.

26Sep Bunratty Castle and Folk Park shortlisted by the public for two national tourism awards Bunratty Castle and Folk Park has been shortlisted for two prestigious national tourism awards in The Irish Hospitality Awards 2022.

31May Viking invasion planned for Bank holiday weekend Visitors to Bunratty Castle & Folk Park and Craggaunowen Bronze Age Park are in for a bank holiday bonanza as Shannon Heritage announce a whirlwind weekend of entertainment and invasions from Saturday 4th to Monday 6th June.

May 2022 Win for Bunratty Castle and Folk Park at the All-Ireland Marketing Awards Bunratty Castle and Folk Park has been acknowledged for its reactive marketing campaign during the pandemic, at the All-Ireland Marketing Awards.

March 2021 Hundreds of toys collected at Bunratty Castle & Folk Park for Crumlin Children’s Hospital Hundreds of gifts collected at Bunratty Castle & Folk Park are on their way to patients at Crumlin Children’s Hospital in Dublin.

March 2021 Shannon Group buildings light up Green for St Patrick’s Day Iconic buildings will be lighting up green and a host of events are planned as Shannon Group’s contribution to a virtual celebration of St Patrick’s Day. Among these will see a greening of Shannon Airport and Bunratty Castle in Clare, Dunguaire Castle in Galway, King John’s Castle in Limerick and Malahide Castle in Dublin.

September 2023 Traditional Harvest Day Makes Long Awaited Return To Bunratty Ireland’s agricultural heritage and the Fair Days of the 19th century will be brought to life when ‘Traditional Harvest Day’ returns for the first time since 2017 at Bunratty Folk Park this Sunday (September 17th).

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