St Cronan’s 10th Century Church

GRAINNE? Niamh? Meadbh?

What would you call the Irish Wolfhounds that have been reintroduced to the grounds at Bunratty Castle?

Shannon Heritage have given a home to two new female wolfhounds and they want the public to come up with names for them.

Wolfhounds were regular guests at the Bunratty Castle from the early days of the medieval banquets in the 1960s.

The animals would roam the great hall and dining areas as would have been the custom in medieval times.

Ronan Behan age 5 from Kildimo County Limerick with the Irish Wolfhounds at Bunratty Castle and Folk Park. Picture Sean Curtin True Media.
Ronan Behan age 5 from Kildimo County Limerick with the Irish Wolfhounds at Bunratty Castle and Folk Park. Picture Sean Curtin True Media.

Irish wolfhounds are known for being gentle, friendly and very intelligent, and they inhabited Ireland long before the arrival of Christianity and the written word.

“Bunratty Castle is the most complete and authentic medieval fortress in Ireland, and no 15th century Castle is complete without these iconic and noble dogs.

“We already have a vast array of animals living in their natural environment on the Park, everything from sheep, goats and pigs, to donkeys and free roaming poultry. The new wolfhounds are already proving really popular with visitors,” Shannon Heritage Managing Director Niall O’Callaghan commented.

Visit the Shannon Heritage  Facebook page here to suggest names and be in with a chance of winning an annual family pass to the Shannon Heritage attractions.

The competition will be open for entries until close of business on Monday, February 12 when the new names of the two female wolfhounds will be unveiled.

Related News

Four Courts, Dublin
High Court dismisses €1.6bn data centre opponents' leave to appeal application against the court clearing all legal hurdles for project
aerialcourtslarge
Planning permission granted to refurbish Killaloe-Ballina Tennis Club
central b&b kilrush 1
42 new houses have been approved to be built in Kilrush by Clare County Council
Photograph by Eamon Ward
Clare Businesswomen Connect and Inspire at LEO Event
Latest News
Photograph by Eamon Ward
Clare Businesswomen Connect and Inspire at LEO Event
tom o'callaghan 02-03-26 1
Councillors give their support to joining a group to implement Local Economic and Community Plan 2024-2030
Clare-County-Council-Chamber-2-PF
The Draft Local Enterprise Plan 2026-2028 receives overwhelmingly support
Marie Keating Foundation Show Garden at Bloom 2026 71
Clare man marks 10 years since Stage 4 Lung Cancer diagnosis at Marie Keating Foundation Bloom Garden
LEO-Clare-Logo-(2018)
Clare Local Enterprise Office is planning the creation of 105 jobs in the county before the end of 2026
Premium
Clare Co Council legal spend on re-possessions more than doubles in 2025 to €52,530
Éire Óg & Corofin relegated from Clare Cup as Clooney/Quin claim last quarter-final place
One of Carrigaholt Post Office robbery accused secures bail
Avenue Utd annihilate Sporting Ennistymon to qualify for Clare Cup final
Restrictions on Main Street but extra parking planned in Miltown Malbay for Willie Clancy week

Annual Subscription!

The Clare Echo annual subscription for just €69.99 a year. 

Prefer to pay monthly? Click the monthly option and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. 

Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.