Easter Monday at Bunratty Folk Park

 Bunratty Castle and Folk park in nearby Shannon is a very popular tourist destination. The first year we lived in Ireland, we discovered they also have a celebration for the kids on Easter Monday, which is a bank holiday here (meaning almost everyone is off work.) We took them that first year and had a great time, even though the kids were very small and stayed in strollers the whole time. I knew I wanted to get back and since the weather was looking nice, we decided to head over today. It was so much more fun now the kids could participate and they did fantastic even though we had to navigate huge crowds of people.

We got to see a lot of animals. The kids got to jump in two different bounce houses. And we walked around a beautiful park. We didn't, however, go over to the side near Bunratty Castle.  I wish we had done so, but we were just too busy with everything else!

As we walked out into the park, we immediately ran into the Easter Bunny. We also saw Mickey & Minnie Mouse, Tigger, Barney, and a few princesses. By the end, Walter was comfortable, Gordon was shy, and Adele was scared of all the fully costumed ones, but she had a LONG conversation with Princess Belle, who was just wearing a dress and wig. Walt was too cute. As we were leaving the park, we could see Mickey Mouse across the way. Walt begins waving like mad, "Mickey Mouse. Over here. It's Walter. Over here, Mickey Mouse." So I took him over and made sure he got to say 'hi.'

Our first stop was actually a bouncy house where the kids played (videos below) but then we started walking around and looking for the animals. The fist we found were chickens and ducks.

Adele's pointing out the chickens

On our way to see the geese and pigs nearby.

My kids had NO fear of the animals, wanting to get right up close.

A baby sheep. The kids kept saying, "It's so fluffy and soft."

The grounds are beautiful and green

Gordon inside of Ardcroney Church, a building on the grounds.

Adele being 'strong'

Ardcroney Church -- Walt had me take off his coat

The kids were climbing up the wall to see the animals inside (I think a Donkey?)

Marching next to the fence for the deer

The minute my kids saw this hill, they declared they must "Roly Poly" down it.

After the hill rolling, we went to another bounce house. Then the kids got thirsty so I bought them some juice. They waited here with Daddy while I stood in line.

After drinking her cold juice, Adele was cold, but she didn't want to put her coat on. She'd rather snuggle up in Daddy's coat.

Adele and Gordon went straight into the first bounce house and had a blast. Walt was pretty freaked out for a while.


Walt eventually got the courage to go in and jump around, but then got upset and came out after only a few minutes. However, when we went to the second bounce house later in the day, he had no issues and had a great time.



My little roly-poly kids