Bunratty - City of Ireland

Bunratty is a village in County Clare in the parish of Newmarket on Fergus , Ireland.

The first settlement in Bunratty was by Vikings in 970AD. Bunratty had reached it peak in 1804AD, with a thriving economy, expanding community, and the construction of much of the buildings and infrastructure that we see today. At the time, Bunratty Bridge was the largest single arched bridge in the country.

However, throughout the famine years, Bunratty's population fell into decline. In the 1950’s, Bunratty’s most prominent structure, Bunratty Castle, grabbed the attention of the Hunt family, Lord Gort and the Irish Government, and so began the most extensive renovation in the history of the Irish State. Although Bunratty Castle thrived, being a number one destination for early transatlantic tourist, the village continued to decline.

The village had been reduced to the pub, Durty Nellys, a run down House was established around 1804.

In the last number of years, the village has had many of positive improvements. Avoca shop and Restaurant and Meadows and Byrne/Woolen Mills were both constructed in recent years , Shannon Heritage (shannonheritage.the 'turn of the century' village, and the Creamery has been brought back to life. Bunratty Castle Hotel has become the premier hotel in the village.

Bunratty Manor was constructed (currently Gallagher's Restaurant, is faultless. Wee Noras is in the process of being converted to a café. Behind "wee Noras" there is a site with planning notice, adjoining a large stone residence. Impressive architecture, as this building could have dated back to same period as Bunratty Bridge.