Practical
Getting to Bunratty
How to reach the castle from Shannon Airport, Limerick, Ennis and Dublin, and why to plan your way back before you book the banquet.
Book the castle banquet ↗Quick answer
Bunratty Castle is just off the N18 between Limerick and Galway, about a ten-minute drive from Shannon Airport according to the castle. Free parking is on site, buses and taxis serve the village, and trains reach Limerick and Ennis. The castle's travel page covers arriving, not late departures, so plan the way back yourself.
By car
The castle says Bunratty Castle & Folk Park is just off the N18 Limerick and Galway motorway and gives a GPS address on its travel page. Free car parking is available for all visitors. From Dublin, the castle says to take the M7 to Limerick, then the N18 towards Ennis and Galway, and leave at the exit signed for Bunratty. If you are driving to the banquet, remember that wine and mead are poured with the meal, so decide in advance who drives.
From Shannon Airport
The castle says it is a ten-minute drive from Shannon International Airport, with taxis and buses available directly to Bunratty. Wikipedia says the airport lies halfway between Ennis and Limerick, beside the Shannon estuary. That closeness is why the banquets began: the castle says they were created to give transatlantic passengers a reason to leave their flights and tour the area. Check current bus timetables before you rely on a particular service.
From Limerick and Ennis
The castle says Bus Éireann provides regular bus services to Bunratty and that Dublin Coach serves it from Dublin, Limerick and Ennis, with a short walk from the stop to the castle. For rail visitors it points to Limerick Colbert and Ennis stations, with a taxi or bus onward from either. Timetables change, so none are printed here, and neither is a travel time.
From Dublin
By road, the castle gives the M7 and N18 route above. By rail, it says trains run daily from Dublin Heuston Station to both Limerick and Ennis, and you then transfer to a bus or take a taxi to Bunratty. By bus, it says to travel from Dublin Busáras to Limerick and transfer to a local bus or taxi. The castle also notes a rail-tour operator that runs a one-day tour from Dublin to Bunratty, the Cliffs of Moher and Galway Bay.
The way back
The banquet is an evening event, and the castle's travel page lists how to arrive rather than late departures. Before you book, check your way back: a taxi booked in advance, a driver who is not drinking, or a hotel in the village. Wikipedia says Bunratty village caters mainly to visitors to the castle and folk park, with pubs, restaurants, hotels and bed and breakfasts. Staying close removes the problem altogether.
Arriving in good time
The start time sits on your booking confirmation, and the castle asks guests to leave when the show finishes. The entrance to the castle is up a flight of timber steps and there is no lift, so leave some spare minutes if anyone with you is slower on stairs. The castle's basement, where tea and coffee are served after the banquet, is accessible.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Bunratty from Shannon Airport?
The castle says it is a ten-minute drive, with taxis and buses available directly to Bunratty.
Is there parking?
Yes. The castle says free car parking is available for all visitors.
Can I get there by train?
Trains serve Limerick Colbert and Ennis. The castle says to take a taxi or bus onward from either.
How do I get back after the banquet?
The castle does not list late departures, so book a taxi, nominate a driver or stay nearby. Check before you book.
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