Bunratty Castle, Medieval castle in County Clare, Ireland

Bunratty Castle is a four-storey tower house begun around 1450, probably for Maccon Sioda MacNamara and completed under his son Sean Finn. It stands beside the Owenogarney River, called Bun Raite, 'mouth of the Ratty', in Irish. Its walls are of local stone, with a Great Hall, chambers and spiral stairs.

Construction of the present castle began around 1450, probably under Maccon Sioda MacNamara, chieftain of Clann Cuilein; it was completed by his son Sean Finn, who died in 1467. Around 1500 it passed to the O'Briens, later Earls of Thomond, who made it their chief seat. In 1646, during the Confederate Wars, Barnabas O'Brien let Parliamentarian forces under Lord Forbes occupy it; after a long siege the Confederates took it and Rear-Admiral Penn, father of William Penn, surrendered and sailed to Kinsale.

The name Bunratty comes from Bun Raite, Irish for the mouth of the Ratty River, which flows past the castle into the Shannon estuary. Since 1960 the rooms have been open to the public, furnished with 15th- and 16th-century furniture, tapestries and living and working quarters. The former banqueting and audience hall, the Great Hall, can be hired for special occasions.

The castle sits near Shannon International Airport and is accessible for day visits. Comfortable shoes are recommended, as exploring all levels requires climbing multiple flights of stairs.

The Great Hall contains a collection of medieval weapons including longbows, battleaxes, and carved wooden shields bearing family crests. These pieces offer insight into the fighting methods and heraldic traditions of the period.