Day 1 - Bunratty Castle

Bunratty Castle is a castle of Norman architecture in Newmarket-on-Fergus, County Clare, Ireland. It lies in the centre of Bunratty village (Irish: Bun Ráite). The name Bunratty, in Irish, means the bend of the 'Ratty' river. This river, alongside the castle, flows into the nearby Shannon estuary.

Some of the key events in Bunratty's history include:

* The first dwellings to occupy the site, in 970 were part of a Viking trading camp.

* In 1270, Robert De Muscegros built the first defensive fortress, known as a motte and bailey castle.

* In 1318, the castle and town were completely destroyed.

* In 1332, the castle was once again razed by the Irish Chieftains of Thomond.

* In 1353, after lying in ruins for 21 years, it was rebuilt by Sir Thomas Rokeby, but was almost immediately attacked again by the Irish and was held by Irish hands thereafter.

* The present structure was completed by the MacNamara family around 1425 but 50 years later was in the hands of the O'Briens, the most powerful clan in Munster.