Travel & Holidays in later life

Medieval banquets around Britain and Ireland now follow traditions that go back into a long-distant past, 40 years ago.

The pioneer show dates from around 1962, when Bunratty Castle on the west coast of Ireland began to feature medieval banquets served by saucy-eyed colleens in 15th-century costume. In full medieval aristocratic style, guests eat off wooden platters, using daggers and fingers. 

Drinks are included: mead (reputedly good for virility on honeymoons) and mulled wine, served in pottery goblets. Minstrels entertain, a harpist plays, and the serving-wenches line up for an occasional folk-song.

Bunratty Castle was built in the 15th century by the Earl of Thomond, and from here he ruled over his Chiefdom and entertained lavishly. In fact he was famous for his hospitality. 

This tradition of hospitality has become so world renowned that today's replica Earl holds a banquet twice nightly, especially during high season. 

As the idea took off, other castles in the Shannon region jumped on the banquet-wagon. In 1966, Dunguaire Castle on the shores of Galway Bay - an area closely linked with the Irish Literary Renaissance of the early 20th century - launched a medieval banquet with extracts from the works of Irish poets, writers and dramatists like Shaw, Yeats, Synge and O'Casey.

The following year, the Texan owner of 15th century Knappogue Castle near Shannon Airport launched a banquet in his Great Hall, featuring delicacies such as Beef Ryall and Greveys en Sauce, while actors re-created the atmosphere of a medieval evening.

Like Bunratty Castle, both Knappogue and Dunguaire hold banquets during the main season, especially when the American tour groups arrive in sufficient numbers.

Closer to hand is the Welsh fortress of Ruthin Castle in Denbighshire, partly converted into a hotel complete with battlements, dungeons, peacocks and a resident ghost. The once-nightly banquet, with the option of renting an appropriate Welsh medieval costume, includes mead and the Welsh specialities of soup, lamb, chicken and a syllabub of fruit, cream and wine.

The most dramatic of Britain's medieval banquet locations is Warwick Castle, rearing up on its dominant mound. With a non-stop run since 1982, a highly successful Kingmaker's Feast starts with an 8-room tour of a Madame Tussaud's display to put the banquet in historical context. 

Drinks are included: mead or mulled wine, served in pottery goblets. Minstrels entertain, a harpist plays, and the serving-wenches line up for an occasional folk-song. 

In mid-15th century England, Richard Neville the Earl of Warwick was a wily character who kept changing sides during the Wars of the Roses - Yorkists versus Lancastrians. The Earl used his power to get the crown for the Yorkist king Edward IV. Later he drove Edward into exile and put the Lancastrian Henry VI on the throne. Hence his nickname, 'The Kingmaker'.

Castles and Ancient Monuments of England by Damien Noonan. A county-by-county guide to more than 350 historic sites. 

Castles and Ancient Monuments of Ireland by Damien Noonan. A unique guide to over 150 sites.