We're so excited to share where we'll be staying on our VERY last night in Ireland. Where else, but the Bunratty Castle Mews B&B? It's a traditional B&B in Bunratty on the Low road only 5 minutes from Shannon Airport, run by the VERY friendly Dolores and Garry O' Toole. When I called Dolores to make arrangements, it was as if I was talking with an old friend. We can't wait to come stay!

We were lucky enough to talk with Dolores about the B&B, activities to do around Shannon, traveling with kids, and more. Here's what she had to say...

WE: Please tell us about the Bunratty Castle Mews...

DO: Bunratty Castle Mews is a guest house or B&B in Bunratty Co Clare in Ireland. It has 11 ensuite bed-rooms, consisting of Double-rooms, Single-rooms, King Themed -rooms Triple-rooms and Family-room. We can cater for 24 as is, but depending on the situation Family or friends ie if it's a wedding or a family reunion we then can cater for more, so lots of groups use us. We have a large sitting room for guests also a Bar and a Chill-out zone with massage chairs etc.

We have a very large dining room just off our heated patio area and if we get the weather then guests eat outside both for breakfast and Dinner or they have picnics in the gardens. The house has changed names as it was Cecelia Lodge when the Nuns had it, so we changed it to Bunratty Castle Mews as we are surrounded by horses on three sides of the property so guests can see the horses from nearly all the rooms.

As a business we look after all our guests as if they were family,so our home is their home while their here.

WE: What is the history of the Bunratty Castle Mews, and how did you come to own it?

DO: The history of the place is that Nuns ran it as a small 6 bedroom B&B. They came back here to Ireland to retire after being on the missions in New
Zealand for years. So they still had to support themselves so that's why they ran a B&B. So in those years a lot of priests and nuns would come and stay
here, as they know that other nuns were running the business, so I still get a lot returning to meet me at the door, with a sense of wonder on their face
(saying she's a funny nun) but I always explain and tell the history to everyone coming through.

They had their own Church here as well, so we moved into the Church to live and we developed their rooms into the extra Themed King-rooms, therefore
doubling our capacity. They are still in touch with us and still return with other nuns to show them what we have done with the place, so as you see I am
their local coffee shop,but the history is kept alive by them returning to  visit.

Going back four years ago, I heard that the nuns were trying to sell the B&B so we decided to sell our house and buy here to develop it and bring it
into the 21 century, i.e., internet access, power-showers, LCD TVs, multi-channels, all mod-cons, etc.

WE: What is the history of the area?

DO: The history of the area is much too great to write on paper - I would be here forever, so I will give you a List of lots of the local Historical places and
then if you google the names, all the history will be there.

Bunratty Castle, home of the Earl of Thomond and Bunratty Folk Park.

Craggaunowen-a Bronze age settlement.

Knoppogue Castle and walled gardens.

Brian Boru Heritage Centre.

Lough Gur Stone Age Centre.

King John's Castle.

Dunguaire Castle.

Galway Atlantaquaria,ie National Aquarium of Ireland.

Brigit's Garden.

Kylemore Abbey and the Victorian Walled Gardens.

Killary Cruises.

The Hunt Museum.

Crag Caves.

Doolin Caves.

The Foynes Flying Boat Museum (which Maureen O Hare's husband flow,she still
returns for festival's here and is still very involved with it).

The Burren Center.

All of these things and more are from 5 minutes to 1 hour of our door.

WE: What activities are available nearby?

DO: Activities available nearby are:
Fishing, horse riding, boating, Golfing (some of the worlds best courses are beside us here,i.e., Lahinch, Doonbeg, Dromoland, Shannon, Adare,and much more).

Clay pigeon shooting, surfing, Bike riding, Aviation Center in Shannon, Hiking, walking, Bird-watching. Cliffs of Moher, Aran Islands which you
can do by boat or plane.

There are lots of children's play centers as well both inside and outside.

You will not be short of things to see and do.

And of course there is lots of entertainment whether it's in the Pubs, Music centers, Concert Halls, etc.

WE: What would you recommend for families with, say, an 8 year old, to do?

DO: As for what to recommend for you to do with Lillie, it may depend on the weather but I would suggest a great coastal drive to Lahinch, the beach to
see all the surfers and for a great beach walk, then on to the Cliffs of Moher where you can do a boat ride to see the Cliffs from the sea, on to
Doolin where there is Doolin Cave and from where you can get a boat to the Aran Islands, then on to Black Head, and from there to Ballyvaughan to the
Aillwee Caves, when there the place to eat is Monks Restaurant, then to the Burren and from there Lisdoonvarna, back through Ennis and home or the other
option from the Burren is to head to Galway.

When you get here lots of this will make more sence as you will be able to see it more clearly on the map.

WE: What are your favorite local markets, restaurants, and pubs?

DO: My favorite market is the Milk Market in Limerick. Then there is the Potato Market in Limerick and then Ennis Market all are good but Saturday is
usually the best day for them. We also have the French Markets here and the Farmers Markets, so there is lots to choose from.

My best Pub and also Restaurant is Durty Nelly's - as a family we love it and best of all, it's excellent value. Then it be Gallagher's Sea-food, and JP
Clarks, also the Bunratty Manor, really all the food in Bunratty is fairly high standard.

WE: Thanks so very much, Dolores! I have enjoyed chatting with you and can't WAIT to come visit. Readers, check back in October for our photos and stories from the Bunratty Castle Mews B&B!

For more information, please see:

http://www.bunratty-castle-mews.com/

All photos courtesy and copyright Bunratty Castle Mews B&B