The first recorded settlement at the site may have been a Viking settlement.
Around 1250, King Henry III of England granted the district of Tradree to Robert De Muscegros, who in 1251 cut down around 200 trees in the King's wood. These may have been used to construct a motte and bailey castle, which would have been the first castle at Bunratty, but again the exact position of this is unknown.
These lands were later handed back to (or taken back by) King Henry III and granted to Thomas De Clare, a descendant of Strongbow in 1276. De Clare built the first stone structure on the site (the second castle). The castle was occupied from 1278 to 1318 and consisted of a large single stone tower with lime white walls. In the late 13th century, Bunrattty had about 1,000 inhabitants. The castle was attacked several times. After De Clare family left the area, the remains of the castle eventually collapsed. As the stones were likely used for other local construction works, no traces remain of this second castle.
In the 14th century, Limerick was an important port for the English Crown. To guard access via the Shannon estuary against attacks from the Irish, the site was once again occupied. A new castle (the third) was built at Bunratty, but once again, its exact location is unknown.
The fourth castle, the present structure, was built by the MacNamara family after around 1425.
Today, the castle is a major tourist attraction, along with Bunratty Folk Park. The castle is famous for its medieval banquets, offered since 1963. Bunratty Folk Park is an open-air museum featuring around 30 buildings.
