Bunratty East

113 registered freehold parcels lie mostly in Bunratty East, from 9 m² to 112,328 m² (11.23 ha, 27.76 acres). The dashed line is the townland's boundary. 21 neighbouring parcels touch it.

Download the townland as DXF, in Irish Transverse Mercator metres, with its boundary, parcels and buildings, or as GeoJSON or KML.

• M2Mixed Use (City/Town/village Centre, central area)
  Bunratty Settlement Plan, Clare · 45 parcels The zoning objective in the plan
• R2Existing Residential (Existing residential)
  Bunratty Settlement Plan, Clare · 9 parcels The zoning objective in the plan
• C1.1Commercial (Commercial, retail)
  Bunratty Settlement Plan, Clare · 2 parcels The zoning objective in the plan
• G1Open Space (Open space, park)
  Bunratty Settlement Plan, Clare · 1 parcels The zoning objective in the plan
• G5Recreation (Mixed/general 'green'/recreation/conservation, other)
  Bunratty Settlement Plan, Clare · 1 parcels The zoning objective in the plan
• G3Open Space (Conservation, amenity or buffer space, corridor/belt, landscape)
  Bunratty Settlement Plan, Clare · 1 parcels The zoning objective in the plan
• C5Tourism (Tourism and related)
  Bunratty Settlement Plan, Clare · 0 parcels The zoning objective in the plan
• O2Water Bodies (General)
  Bunratty Settlement Plan, Clare · 0 parcels The zoning objective in the plan
• R1Residential (New/proposed residential)
  Bunratty Settlement Plan, Clare · 0 parcels The zoning objective in the plan
• P1Agriculture
  Bunratty Settlement Plan, Clare · 0 parcels The zoning objective in the plan

Source: Tailte Éireann and the Department of Housing (MyPlan), national zoning, CC BY 4.0.

• 21 Jul 2026Conditional

  of the existing site layout as constructed, including the location of the dwelling house and the on-site wastewater treatment system; a first floor room constructed as part of the original dwelling; the enclosure of the original open entrance porch to form a covered entrance porch together with the conversion of the original internal carport to a study and utility; the conversion of the attached garage to a family room, spa room and reduced garage; a minor revision to the front and side site boundaries; the existing domestic tennis court and associated fencing together with all associated site development works

  Retention, 1 home · Clare County Council, 26200

• 3 Jun 2026N/a

  of upgraded domestic waste water treatment system, percolation area and all associated site works

  Retention · Clare County Council, 26151

• 2 Dec 2025Conditional

  to carry out - A number of internal layout modifications within the existing building, - Construct a bar / restaurant area extension with associated external terrace areas, - Remove the various existing service yard structures to the north, - Construct a new service and keg room building, service yard wall, bin compound wall and universal access WC, - Refurbish and reuse the existing Keg Room building as a Tea / Coffee / Snack / Merchandise Outlet at ground and first floor level (public road level) and to construct a storage room extension at ground floor level and a new shopfront / entrance extension, balcony and stairs at first floor level (public road level) and a new pedestrian access and crossover from the public footpath on the old Limerick / Shannon Road (L3126). - Install new signage, new connections to existing site services and all associated site works

  Permission · Clare County Council, 2560756

• 27 Nov 2025Conditional

  to construct a dwelling house, garage, entrance, installation of a wastewater treatment system and associated site works

  Permission, 1 home · Clare County Council, 2560741

• 22 May 2025Conditional

  for development, the development will consist of the construction of a private single dwelling house, detached garage, waste water treatment system, percolation area and all other ancillary site works associated with this proposed development

  Outline permission, 1 home · Clare County Council, 25164

• 17 Apr 2025Conditional

  of a food truck and associated seating area.

  Retention · Clare County Council, 2560198

• 6 Dec 2024Conditional

  for development comprising the regeneration of an existing brownfield site at the site of the former Shannon Shamrock Hotel at Bunratty, Co. Clare. A seven year planning permission is sought to demolish the existing hotel and ancillary outbuildings and to provide for the phased delivery of a mixed use development including provision of: (a) 67 no. residential units comprising 20 no. 2 bed houses and 47 no. 3 bed houses; (b) 1 no. convenience retail store of 470sqm (net) floor area; (c) 6 no. retail / office units including 4 no. units of 167sqm (net) floor area and 2 no. retail / office units of 231sqm (net) floor area intended to accommodate Class 1 & Class 2 Uses; (d) a bat house; and (e) all ancillary site development works including (i) car & bicycle parking; (ii) bin storage; (iii) signage; (iv) 2 no. ESB sub-stations; and (v) public lighting. The existing conference centre building shall be retained on site and shall form part of a future phase of development. The application is accompanied by a Natura Impact Statement

  Permission · Clare County Council, 2460618

• 7 Aug 2024Conditional

  for permanent retention of prefabricated single storey flat roof extension to rear and side of the existing school house building previously granted temporary permission under planning permission Ref: P19/878 and for the provision of additional prefabricated single storey flat roof extension to side of existing school building and all ancillary site works at School House, Bunratty Castle & Folk Park, Bunratty, Co. Clare.

  Permission · Clare County Council, 2460366

• 24 Apr 2024Conditional

  of additional internal floor area and alterations to the side and rear elevations of existing dwelling

  Retention, 1 home · Clare County Council, 2460170

• 31 Jan 2024Conditional

  of an enclosed Garden Centre comprising 2 repurposed shipping containers and clear covered plant area, along with benches and plant display tables.

  Retention · Clare County Council, 2460033

• 25 Aug 2023Conditional

  of existing canopy, food truck and coffee dock and signage for the same in front of the Jilly & Joe's Restaurant & Courtyard at the Meadows & Byrne Courtyard as well as external toilets in container at the back of Jilly & Joe's Restaurant & Courtyard near the chocolate shop at the Meadows & Byrne Courtyard

  Retention · Clare County Council, 2360328

• 29 Aug 2022Conditional

  to construct a dwelling house, garage, entrance, wastewater treatment system, and associated site works

  Outline permission, 1 home · Clare County Council, 22766

• 7 Apr 2022Conditional

  for works carried out to existing dwelling to include increased ridge height and reconfiguration of roof to single storey element, demolition of boiler room and replacement with new bathroom, raised balcony to Southern Elevation, alterations to window opes together with all associated ancillary and incidental works

  Retention, 4 homes · Clare County Council, 22315

• 8 Nov 2019Conditional

  to RETAIN for 5 years a temporary development which consists of a prefabricated single storey flat roof extension to rear and side of the existing School House building with all associated site works

  Retention, 1 home · Clare County Council, 19878

• 3 May 2019Conditional

  for a 10-year planning permission for the following works to the existing theme park and all associated landscaping and site development works at Bunratty Folk Park. The proposed works to the theme park will consist of; 1) The partial demolition of the education building and the demolition of the single story café extension; 2) The construction of a new experience building and an extension to the existing café; 3) Modifications to rear façade of the Welcome Building to provide a new Park exit; 4) New directional signage and gateways within the Park; 5) Modifications to the car park including the removal of the existing canopy, a revised layout of the existing car park, extension of the car park, the provision of 10 no. motor home spaces, bicycle spaces, improvements to the pedestrian crossing and new vehicle entrance; 6) The erection of 4 no. sculptures including a new sculpture at the entrance to the Park; 7) Restoration works to Bunratty House ( Protected Structure, RPS No. 078), the construction of a butterfly house within the existing walled garden and the partial removal and reconstruction of the existing boundary wall to provide access during construction; 8) Works to and within the curtilage of Bunratty Castle ( Protected Structure, RPS No. 260). The external works will consist of; (a) the installation of banners and a glazed graphic panel at the battlements, (b) a new pedestrian link, (c) the erection of a new medieval style tent, and (d) the erection of flagpoles, 9) The erection of road side signage; and 10) the construction of a playground, boardwalk and picnic area. The proposed development consists of the carrying out of works to Protected Structures. An Environmental Impact Assessment Report ( EIAR) and Natura Impact Statement ( NIS) have been prepared and submitted to the Planning Authority with the application

  Permission · Clare County Council, 19365

• 25 Feb 2019Conditional

  for the construction of a single Dwelling House, Garage, Waste Water Treatment System., Percolation area and all other ancillary site works associated with this proposed development, using a shared entrance with existing dwelling house in adjoining site as per Planning Permission Ref No: P03-2834, RETENTION Planning Permission Ref. Nos P11-587 and P14-166 and OUTLINE Planning PermissionP16-145. Access to this site via existing Private Roadway granted as per RETENTION PermissionRef. No. P11-587

  Permission, 1 home · Clare County Council, 19132

• 20 Sept 2018N/a

  for development at Bunratty Village and Folk Park, Bunratty, Co. Clare, being in the curtilage of a protected structure for the following ; Change of use from agricultural barn to entertainment space, alterations to elevations and associated site works

  Permission · Clare County Council, 18750

• 26 Jan 2018Conditional

  to construct a dwelling house, vehicular entrance, waste water treatment plant, percolation area and ancillary site works

  Permission, 1 home · Clare County Council, 1848

• 10 Apr 2017Conditional

  to (a) RETAIN front porch and rear extension and (b) RETAIN building as constructed in variation to Condition No. 3 of Planning Reg. Ref. P97-1244

  Retention · Clare County Council, 17260

• 7 Apr 2017Conditional

  for the refurbishment of the former Shannon Shamrock Hotel which development will consist of (I) partial demolition of existing structures to the rear of the building; (ii) construction of a foyer entrance portico to the front elevation; (iii) refurbishment and reconfiguration of the existing hotel structure including (a) 55 no. bedrooms, (b) bar area, (c) kitchen, (d) reception/lobby and (e) staff facilities; (iv) change the use of existing internal rooms and buildings including (a) from the pool building to a function room, (b) from the conservatory to 1 no. bedroom, (c) from storage and offices to 5 no. meeting rooms and (d) from a store to 1 no. bedroom, (v) provision of new build floor area to extend 37 no. existing bedrooms and 1 no. proposed bedroom; (vi) erect 2 no. advertisement signs at the entrance to the hotel: ( vii) car parking; (viii) landscaping and (ix) all associated works

  Permission · Clare County Council, 17253

• 12 Jan 2017Refused

  to change the use of an existing dwelling house from holiday home to permanent residence

  Permission · Clare County Council, 1713

Source: National Planning Applications, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, CC BY 4.0. Applicants are not shown.

Designated sites

• Special Area of Conservation: Lower River Shannon SAC 002165
• Proposed Natural Heritage Area: Fergus Estuary And Inner Shannon, North Shore 002048

Recorded monuments

• CL051-198 Enclosure
  Description

  On a generally level area at the top of an E-facing slope in pasture with excellent views NE-E over the Owenogarney or Ratty River valley. Identified on aerial photography (Digital Globe 2015). A roughly oval area (19.5m NW-SE; 17.5m NE-SW) defined by a well-formed bank (int. H 0.3m; ext. H 0.7m; Wth at top 1.25m; overall Wth 4.85m) SSW-E and by a low scarp (Wth 1.3m; H 0.65m) E-SE. The monument is open (Wth 12m) SE-SSW where the enclosing elements are levelled either side of where there may have been a causewayed entrance. There is a wide intervening, flat-bottomed fosse (Wth 5.25m; D 0.2-0.3m) which is traceable SSW-SE. The intermittent remains of an outer earthen bank (int. H 0.7m; ext. H 1m; Wth at top 2m; overall Wth 5.2m) are present WSW-SE. There are large gaps in this bank NW-N, E-ESE and SE-WSW and it is obscured by vegetation SW-NW. It has been pushed outwards at the WSW and SSE ends forming two modified areas of bank. The interior is generally level across the NW half and is raised (H 0.65m) above the base of the intervening fosse. There is a break of slope across the centre of the interior from where the SE half is disturbed, having a SSE-facing slope. This monument is conjoined to rectangular enclosure (CL051-199----) to N by a shared outer fosse. Although this area is named 'Battle of Bunratty 1310' on the OS 6-inch map these earthworks are not known to be associated. See CL061-018--- for the battlefield record. The following images have been uploaded: CL051-198----_01.jpg From NW. Cross-section view of bank and wide intervening fosse at NE. CL051-198----_02.jpg From NW. Cross-section view of outer bank at NE. CL051-198----_03.jpg From E. General view of monument. Compiled by: Mary Tunney, Alison McQueen and Vera Rahilly Date of upload: 8 January 2019

• CL051-199 Enclosure
  Description

  Conjoined to enclosure (CL051-198----) by a shared outer fosse to S. Identified on aerial photography (Digital Globe 2015). A rectangular area (19m N-S; 22m E-W) defined by a well-formed, solid earthen bank (int. H 0.25m; ext. H 0.55m; Wth at top 1.2m; overall Wth 3m) to N and S, which is best preserved to N. A relatively recent and quite irregular deposit of earthen material is deposited on top of the N bank at the W end. The monument is defined by a low scarp (Wth 0.7m; H 0.25m) to W and that to E cannot be seen due to an impenetrable thicket of briars. The interior is raised (H 0.25m) above the external ground level and has a gentle E-facing slope, being obscured across the N half by dense briars. Where seen, the interior has a lumpy surface and various deposits of earthen and organic material off-centre to NW. There is an intervening fosse (Wth 2m; D 0.05-0.1m) to S. An outer bank (int. H 0.45m; ext. 0.5m; Wth at top 1.3m; Wth at base 4.5m) is to S. Traces of an outer fosse to S confirm that this rectangular enclosure is conjoined with enclosure (CL051-198----). Although this area is named 'Battle of Bunratty 1310' on the OS 6-inch map these earthworks are not known to be associated. See CL061-018--- for the battlefield record. The following images have been uploaded: CL051-199----_01.jpg From N. General view of monument. CL051-199----_02.jpg From E. Cross-section view of two banks and intervening fosse. CL051-199----_03.jpg From E. General view of monument. Compiled by: Mary Tunney, Alison McQueen and Vera Rahilly Date of upload: 9 January 2019

• CL051-200 Mound
  Description

  On a generally level area at the top of an E-facing slope, in pasture with excellent views NE-E over the Owenogarney or Ratty River valley. Identified on aerial photography (Digital Globe 2015). It is a well-formed oval mound (10m N-S; 16m E-W) defined by a well-preserved scarp (Wth 1.1-1.2m; H 0.25-0.35m) and counterscarp (Wth 1.7-3.5m; H 0.45-0.5m). These are formed by the obvious two-phase construction of this mound which has a basal layer and a smaller top tier. The scarp and counterscarp are best defined around the eastern and western arcs, less well defined NW-NE and only a single scarp (Wth 2.7m; H 0.95m) is present to SE-SW. The top (9m N-S; 10m E-W) is conical and uneven with three depressions. A long L-shaped feature (long-axis E-W; L 17m) with a short return (L 9m) to NW at the W end is c. 5.25m to S of the mound. It is very uniform (Wth 1.5m; H 0.6-1.2m) and it is at the precise location of a former field boundary, as per OS historic mapping. There is a mound forming the W end of this, which appears recently formed. The short return to NW is a wide oval area (9m N-S; 6m E-W) which is low in profile (H 0.35m). A long bank which is c. 3m to N of mound is extending downslope to E for some distance. It is parallel with a house plot to N and appears relatively modern. The antiquity of this mound is questionable. The top tier has a high gravel content and may be associated with the very extensive quarry to the W. Although this area is named 'Battle of Bunratty 1310' on the OS 6-inch map these earthworks are not known to be associated. See CL061-018--- for the battlefield record. The following images have been uploaded: CL051-200----_01.jpg From S. Cross-section view of scarp at E. CL051-200----_02.jpg From NW. General view of monument. CL051-200----_03.jpg From E. General view of monument. Compiled by: Mary Tunney, Alison McQueen and Vera Rahilly Date of upload: 9 January 2019

• CL052-046 Ringfort - cashel
  Description

  The Archaeological Survey of Ireland (ASI) is in the process of providing information on all monuments on The Historic Environment Viewer (HEV). Currently the information for this record has not been uploaded. To access available information for research purposes please make an appointment in advance with the Archive Unit (open Fridays 10.00 am – 5.00 pm), Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, The Custom House, Dublin 1 D01W6XO or email NMarchive@housing.gov.ie.

• CL062-001---* Historic town
  Description

  Situated on a low hill at ‘Bun Ráite’ (the mouth of the Ráite, now the Owenogarney River) in an area of considerable strategic importance since the Middle Ages as it controlled the passage of ships on the Shannon. The area, surrounded in the early 20th century by marshes to the S, W and N (Westropp 1917, 14-15), was at that time still isolated at high tide forming a naturally defensive location. According to Bradley et al. (1988, 19) the borough of Bunratty was situated in this area, most likely on the high ground to the N and W of the castle. The area is known as ‘Tradraighe’ or ‘Traderry’ and was first mentioned in the 12th century Cogadh Gaedhel re Gallaibh which states that c. 960 the Vikings of North Munster built a fort at ‘Tratraighe’ (Bradley 1988, 20). The precise location of this fort has not been determined. The Anglo-Norman settlement of Bunratty began in 1248 when Tradery was granted to Robert de Muscegros. A castle (see CL062-001004-) was under construction in 1251 and in 1253 de Muscegros was granted the right to have a vill, with a weekly market and yearly fair, in his land of ‘Bunraty’. The earliest evidence for a parish church occurs in 1256 when the priest Peter was appointed perpetual vicar. In 1277 the settlement passed to Thomas de Clare by which time it had acquired borough status. No charter survives but an extent of the manor of Bunratty from 1287 noted that the burgesses of the vill held 226 burgages, paying 131. 6s. annual rent. The extent also noted a hundred court, a shambles worth 3s. yearly, fairs worth half a mark yearly, a watermill (see CL062-001007-), a fish-pond, and a rabbit warren. The 14th century Caithréim Thoirdhealbhaigh refers to ‘Bunratty of the wide roads, oared galleys and safe harbour ’. It also notes that the borough was defended by ‘broad-based high-crested ramparts, running from the stream to the sea’. Westropp (1917, opp. p 14) charted the possible outline of the defences (see CL061-011003-) but these particular earthworks were found, through excavation in 1990, to be 17th century (Bradley and King 1991, 16). Later excavations in 1991 and 2000 revealed a substantial ditch closer to the centre of the town (Wth greater than 8m, aligned E-W), with finds dating it to the 13th-14th century (O’Rahilly 1992; Wiggins 2000). De Clare’s settlement lasted until the defeat of his son Richard at the battle of Dysert O’Dea in 1318. After that the castle continued to be garrisoned and some reconstruction of the borough was attempted. The inquisition taken on the death of Thomas de Clare in 1321 described a castle with a large keep with outbuildings enclosed by a curtain wall. It also stated that ‘the remaining houses below the precinct of the castle are dilapidated and in ruins and cannot be reckoned as dwellings’. In 1332 the castle was captured and destroyed by Muirchertach Ó Briain and MacConmara. It was repaired and rebuilt by Sir Thomas de Rokeby in 1353. The present castle, attributed to Maccon MacNamara, was constructed in the 15th century, most likely on the remains of an earlier structure. Excavations around the late medieval church in 1991 (Bradley and King) revealed a habitation level including pits, a hearth and walls as well as finds of 13/14th century pottery. Test trenching adjacent to the church (Hull 2017) also revealed mid 13th-14th century Adare type ware. (Bradley 1988,19-25) Compiled by: Mary Tunney Date of upload: 2 October 2019

• CL062-001004 Castle - hall-house
  Description

  Within the historic town of Bunratty (CL061-011----/CL062-001000*), the castle is situated on low ground immediately W of the Owenogarney River. Four castles are recorded at Bunratty, beginning in 1251 when the Anglo-Norman Robert de Muscegros erected a fortification, having been granted the area known as ‘Tradraighe’ in 1248 (Bradley 1988, 20). This may have been an earthen and wooden construction as there is reference to it acquiring a palisade of oaks in 1252 (Bradley et al. 1988, 22). The precise location of this fortification is unknown. In 1277 the settlement at Bunratty passed to Thomas de Clare who built the first stone castle (ibid., 23). This withstood attacks by the Irish in the 1290s but was burnt by 1306 and, according to the sources, finally destroyed in 1332 (Bradley 1988, 24). In 1353 the castle was refortified by Thomas de Rokeby but after only two years it was captured and again destroyed (Salter 2004, 22). The destruction appears to have been exaggerated as there is physical evidence, discussed below, of the 14th-century castle, probably a form of hall-house, surviving within the fabric of the present castle. The castle, in its current manifestation, is attributed to Maccon MacNamara (Bradley et al. 1988, 25), and was constructed in the 15th century, incorporating the remains of the earlier structure. It passed into the hands of the O’Briens around 1500 (ibid, 25). Between 1583 and 1588 Donough O’Brien, the ‘Great Earl’, made Bunratty his headquarters (Ua Cróinín and Breen 1997, 7). He carried out several renovations including vaulting the corner towers with redbrick and applying elaborate plasterwork to the walls and ceilings (ibid.). Barnaby Uí Briain, the 6th Earl of Thomond, surrendered the castle to parliamentary forces in March 1646 (Sherlock 2011, 208). The Confederate army laid siege to the castle shortly afterwards and took possession (ibid.). In 1725 the Studdert family came to live in the castle, building a multi-storey house onto the external N face, flush with the corner towers and blocking the entrances at ground and first-floor level (Ua Cróinín and Breen 1997, 12-13). During the 18th century they also built a police station into the W external face (ibid.). It became an RIC barracks in the 19th century and was burned during the War of Independence (ibid.). In the mid 1870s they attempted to conserve the castle by putting in concrete floors, tarred felt roofs and, later on, lean-to roofs on either side of the Great Hall, unfortunately causing the 16th-century stucco work to be exposed to the elements (Ua Cróinín and Breen 1997, 13). Thomas Studdert handed over the ownership and preservation of the castle to the Board of Works around 1915 (ibid.). In 1954 the castle was purchased by Lord Gort, and with the advice of John Hunt and the Board of Works architect Percy Le Clerc, he set about restoring the castle, with the expenses divided between Gort, Bord Fáilte and the Board of Works (ibid.). Gort envisaged restoring the castle to something ‘faintly 14th century’ and most of the later additions to the building were stripped away in order to expose the earlier fabric (Scott 2011, 220-22). The 18th-century Studdert home and the RIC barracks were removed while fireplaces, wood panelling and furniture were inserted to create a medieval effect (Sherlock 2011, 211). Almost 100 panels of stained glass, heraldic and otherwise, dating from the 14th to the 19th century were acquired from many sources and installed and some rooms had windows widened to accommodate the glass panels (Scott 2011, 220). The stained glass includes material from England, Switzerland, Germany and the Low Countries (ibid.). The castle was opened to the public in 1960. It is a large rectangular keep, consisting of a central block with four corner towers. The central block (ext. dims. 19.4m N-S; 13m E-W; wall T 3.3m) has three storeys while the corner towers are six storeys high. The masonry consists of roughly coursed rubble limestone with limestone quoins and jambs. There is good survival of external render, with windows and quoins accentuated by block and start plaster finish. Stylistically, the structure is of late 15th-century date with some remodelling in the late 16th and early 17th century. However, there are a number of elements within the main block which suggest that this section dates to the 13th/14th century. The stone vaults over the main ground-floor chamber and the first-floor chamber both have evidence of plank-centring. In the latter chamber the remains of a moulded cornice over a small surviving portion of a sloping hooded fireplace are visible above the later fireplace in the E wall. Also, during work which was carried out on the W wall of the main block, both in the 1950s and more recently, a sloping masonry joint was revealed which suggests that the outer section of the wall was built up against an earlier battered wall (Sherlock 2011, 209, 211). This suggests that the earlier external masonry is completely hidden by a later façade. Some of the lower windows have sandstone surrounds which are possibly reused from the earlier phase, when sandstone was preferred for architectural features. A doorway has been broken through the N wall of the central block to give access to the ground floor chamber. The entrance lobby, in the thickness of the N wall, is protected by a murder-hole. The barrel-vaulted chamber was lit by three loops within deep embrasures in the E wall and one in the S wall. At some stage the centre embrasure in the E wall was blocked up and a chute was inserted to deliver goods from the exterior directly into the interior. The most southerly of the E embrasures and the S embrasure are currently not visible internally as they are behind cladding. A small mural chamber has been inserted at the E end of the S wall and another at the S end of the W wall. At this level there are windowless chambers, or oubliettes, in each of the corner towers which were accessible through trap-doors from first-floor level. The chamber in the SE, known as the ‘dungeon’ can be accessed from a stairs in the SE angle of the main first-floor chamber, accessed from the S splay of the S window embrasure in the E wall. The passage leading to the oubliette is protected by a small murder-hole. It is likely that the 13th/14th-century castle was entered from first-floor level, however, this entrance does not survive. In the 15th century a pointed chamfered limestone doorway was inserted in the N wall of the main block with vertical recesses above to accommodate a drawbridge, evidence for which was discovered in the reconstruction. This opens into a lobby within the thickness of the wall which is protected by a murder-hole. There is access from this lobby to the NE and NW corner towers. The main chamber, known as the ‘paved hall’ (now used for medieval banquets), has a pointed vault which rises through two floors and is lit by two two-light ogee-headed windows in the E wall and one at the S end of the W wall and by a triple-light window in the S wall. Between the windows in the E wall there is an inserted 16th-century fireplace with moulded frame, above which on the S side are the remains of an earlier chimney-hood. In the NE angle there is a hatch opening to a mural chamber between the main keep and the NE tower. At this level the NE tower has a chamber, lit by a single-light window in the N and the E wall, which is completely cladded internally and currently used as a kitchen. There is a small mural garderobe chamber in the S wall. In the E wall of the ‘paved hall’, there is a small mural chamber, lit by a single-light window, accessed from the N splay of the S window embrasure. There are two openings in the S splay of this window embrasure, one gives access to a garderobe chamber, lit by a SW angle loop, between the ‘hall’ and SE tower and to the SE tower via a short passage lit by a NE angle loop and a loop in the N wall. The other o

• CL062-001005 Sheela-na-gig
  Description

  This figure is now set into the S window in the hall of Bunratty castle (CL062-001004-); it was transferred there from the inner reveal of a window in the top room of the SW tower during a twentieth-century restoration of the castle. It is described by Freitag (2004, 125) as a figure, ‘carved at left to middle of a large rectangular slab. Triangular head with deep-set eyes, grim mouth and gritted teeth. Flat, but sizeable, pendulous breasts. Arms form circle, passing behind thighs. Legs widely splayed and set at right angles to body before bending at right angles at knees. Vulva, sagging below thighs, appears to be torn open by both hands to release some soft substance’ (Andersen 1977, 146, No. 59) CL062-001005-_01.jpg attached. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien/Michael Moore Date of upload: 6 June, 2012

• CL062-001006 Battery
  Description

  Situated on high ground to the NW of Bunratty Castle (CL062-001004-) this consists of a rectangular mound measuring c. 23m E-W by 30m N-S at the base and 11.7m E-W by 18m N-S on the top (Bradley et al. 1988, 21). Westropp (1915, 315) suggested that this may have been the original motte castle and recorded a fosse and outer mound or ‘bailey’. The fosse has been removed by landscaping and the sub-rectangular lawn, south of the mound, which is raised about 1-3m above surrounding ground level may be identified with Westropp’s ‘bailey’ (Bradley et al. 1988, ). The mound was partially excavated by John Hunt in 1959 (Hunt 1959) who also discovered the lower courses of a possible 16th century house (CL062-001008-) beside it. He considered that the mound was not the original Anglo-Norman motte but a gun emplacement erected for four cannon mentioned by Admiral Penn in his account of the defense of the castle (O’Brien 1990): this position would have defended the broad deep channel of water then separating the castle from the high ground to the N. He further suggested that ‘some sort of 'Herd' or fence of stout logs or perhaps gabions of basketwork and earth would presumably have been erected on the top edge of the mound to protect the guns and gunners from musket and cannon shot. The subsequent burning of this, after the capture of the castle by the Confederates, would account for the burned material in its present position in the fosse.’ (Hunt 1959, 89). The precise location of the original motte castle has been the subject of some debate (see Westropp 1915) and an alternative location has been suggested on the opposite side of the road to the W of the Castle Hotel and church as a more suitable position for such a structure (Hunt 1959, 105; see also Bradley et al. 1988, 21). Compiled by: Paul Walsh Date of upload: 21 May 2014

• CL062-001008 House - 16th/17th century
  Description

  The remains of this building were identified in the course of the excavation in 1959 by John Hunt of the mound (CL001-062006-). He described it as ‘running parallel with the line of the mound and close to its lower border’ which may be identified with its W edge as the trench that he opened for the excavation is recorded as been dug from the centre to the west, along a line E-W. The excavation exposed a foundation course built of brick and of uniform height (c. 0.6m): 'No displaced bricks were encountered in the immediate neighbourhood, and it appeared to be complete in height as originally built. This wall was well mortared and sat upon a stone and mortar foundation layer on the clay subsoil. There was a clay floor just below the level of the highest course of brick. The habitation level outside had been approximately 15 inches [0.38m] lower. Outside the line of the wall a layer of darker humus represented the habitation layer and over this a very dense black layer of burnt material sloping up the side of the mound. This lay also on the undisturbed clay of the fosse which had been formed when throwing up the spoil of which the mound was formed.’ Hunt interpreted the sequence of events at the site as follows: ‘The red brick foundation is that of a building of 16th century date. The dwarf wall foundation presumably supported a timber constructed building, probably the usual late Gothic or Tudor domestic form of timber with lath, and plaster filling. This building was destroyed by fire, and upon the debris was thrown a large amount of spoil obtained by digging a broad trench round the site of the proposed mound and piling it on the remains of the destroyed house. Both existing humus and the boulder clay of the subsoil were thrown up. Upon the mound so formed, some sort of wooden structure was erected. The evidence for this is seen in the dense black layer seen in the fosse and sloping up the sides of the mound, from the position evidently subsequent to the building of the mound and unrelated to the burned material laying about the house foundations.’ He considered that the mound was the gun emplacement for four cannon mentioned by Admiral Penn in his account of the defense of the castle in 1646 (O’Brien 1990). This position would have defended the broad deep channel of water then separating the castle from the high ground to the N. Hunt considered that ‘some sort of 'Herd' or fence of stout logs or perhaps gabions of basketwork and earth would presumably have been erected on the top edge of the mound to protect the guns and gunners from musket and cannon shot. The subsequent burning of this, after the capture of the castle by the confederates, would account for the burned material in its present position in the fosse.’ (Hunt 1959, 89). The finds comprised ‘some fragments of brick mixed with the uppermost layers of the boulder clay on the mound. From the black layer lying directly above the floor of the house came an iron knife. From the burned layers above, came two plain white glazed fragments of delph or similar ware, fragments of a 17th century cooking pot, with internal glaze, and portion of a glass wine bottle. Close against the brick foundation wall, and possibly related in date to this structure was a fragment of salt glazed stone-ware of late 16th century type.’ (ibid.). (Bradley et al. 1988, 21) Compiled by: Paul Walsh Date of upload: 21 May 2014

• CL062-001009 Bawn
  Description

  According to Wiggins (2000), citing Share (1995, 180-82), excavations took place in the vicinity of the castle between 1964 and 1967, directed for the Office of Public Works by Marcus ó hEochaidh, but the results have never been published. Sherlock (2011, 214-15) notes that evidence for a 17th-century bawn wall and a second, earlier bawn was found in these excavations and that the present bawn wall was built upon foundations which were found during the excavation. Compiled by: Mary Tunney Date of upload: 8 October 2019

• CL062-001010 Designed landscape - formal garden
  Description

  According to Sherlock (2011, 215), citing Share (1995, 45) evidence for gardens, possibly those described by Cardinal Rinuccini in 1646, was found during excavations that took place in the vicinity of the castle between 1964 and 1967. These excavations were directed for the Office of Public Works by Marcus ó hEochaidh, but the results have never been published. Apparently these gardens overlay an earlier moat which was largely left unexcavated. Cardinal Rinuccini, who supported the Confederate army during the siege of 1646, wrote as follows: ‘I have no hesitation in asserting that Bunratty is the most beautiful spot I have ever seen. In Italy there is nothing like the palace and grounds of Lord Thomond, nothing like its ponds and park, with its three thousand head of deer (CL062-001011-).’ A formal rectangular garden (108m NNW-SSE; 76m ENE-WSW) is shown on the OS 6-inch maps of 1840 and 1922, 120m N of the castle and immediately N of the battery (CL062-001006-) and 16th/17th century house (CL062-001008-). A decoy pond is shown 20m E of the garden on the OS 25-inch map. This area is now occupied by portion of the Shannon Shamrock Hotel and some private dwellings. Compiled by: Mary Tunney Date of upload: 7 October 2019

• CL062-001011 Deer park
  Description

  Sherlock (2011, 215), notes that Cardinal Rinuccini, who supported the Confederate army during the siege of 1646, wrote as follows: ‘I have no hesitation in asserting that Bunratty is the most beautiful spot I have ever seen. In Italy there is nothing like the palace and grounds of Lord Thomond, nothing like its ponds and park, with its three thousand head of deer.’ An irregularly shaped deerpark (265m N-S; 277m E-W) is indicated and named on the 1840 OS 6-inch map c. 800m N of the castle. Four modern dwellings occupy the E portion of the deerpark. Compiled by: Mary Tunney Date of upload: 14 October 2019

Architectural heritage

• Bunratty House, house, 1800–1810 · Regional interest
  Description

  Detached three-bay two-storey over basement former house, built c. 1805, with two-bay single-storey wing added, c. 1985. Now in use museum and restaurant. Hipped slate roof with rendered chimneystacks. Roughcast rendered walls. Timber sliding sash windows with stone sills, in tripartite arrangement to rear. Round-headed door opening to centre having limestone pilaster doorcase, fanlight and timber panelled door. Retaining interior features. Attached twelve-bay single-storey rubble stone-built outbuildings arranged about a courtyard, with elliptical-headed carriageways and bellcote.

• Bunratty Castle, castle/fortified house, 1400–1450 · National interest
  Description

  Freestanding square-plan three-bay three-stage tower house, built c. 1425, with single-bay six-stage corner towers. Towers linked by connecting arches to side elevation. Restored, c. 1955 - Architect, Percy le Clerc- to accommodate use as museum and restaurant. Pitched slate roof with octagonal ridge vent. Turrets and battlements to roof parapet. Rubble stone walls with cut-stone quoins. Carved limestone mullions, transoms and surrounds to leaded glass windows. Retaining plasterwork dating to 1619 in chapel.

Designated sites: National Parks and Wildlife Service. Recorded monuments: Sites and Monuments Record, National Monuments Service. Buildings: National Inventory of Architectural Heritage. Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, CC BY 4.0. Works at or in relation to a recorded monument need two months' written notice to the National Monuments Service (National Monuments (Amendment) Act 1994, section 12).

Radon

At the centre of the townland of Bunratty East, about 1 in 20 homes in this area is likely to have high radon levels. Testing a home

Landslides

The 1:50,000 map rates the landslide susceptibility here as moderately high, moderately low, low, partly inferred. Parts of the land are made ground.

Terrain model

LiDAR of the Office of Public Works, flown in 2011, at 2 m: tile OPW_774 (ZIP).

Flooding

The Office of Public Works publishes its flood maps on floodinfo.ie.

Radon Risk Map of Ireland, Environmental Protection Agency, and Landslide Susceptibility Classification, Geological Survey Ireland, both under CC BY 4.0. LiDAR: contains Irish Public Sector Data (Geological Survey Ireland & the Office of Public Works) licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) licence.

No address of the register names Bunratty East with five sales or more. The sales of the area are on the page of Co. Clare.

Name

Bunratty East · Bun Raite Thoir

Area

1,608,637 m² (160.86 ha, 397.5 acres)

Civil parish

Bunratty, and its townlands

Barony

Bunratty Lower

Electoral division

Drumline, the unit of the census

Census 2022

933 people lived in 309 households in the Drumline electoral division. 82% of households owned their home. 36% of homes were built since 2001. 6% of dwellings stood vacant on census night, and 5% were holiday homes.

Neighbouring townlands

Bunratty West, Cloghlea, Clonmoney North, Corlack, Moyhill, Rossmanagher

Placenames

Bunratty East on logainm.ie, the Placenames Database of Ireland

Townlands, civil parishes, baronies and electoral divisions, National Statutory Boundaries, Tailte Éireann, CC BY 4.0. Census 2022, Small Area Population Statistics by electoral division, Central Statistics Office, CC BY 4.0. A townland is the smallest land division of Ireland, and the unit of a rural address. Old registers such as the 1901 and 1911 censuses file it under its civil parish and barony.