WATCH: Irish wolfhounds return to famous Clare castle

BIG, BEAUTIFUL, and steeped in history - Bunratty Castle and Folk Park welcomes its newest stars, a pair of Irish Wolfhound pups!

The presence of Irish Wolfhounds at Bunratty Castle and Folk Park has been restored this Friday, July 28 as two wolfhounds have taken up permanent, regal residency. 

The 12-week-old male pup Rían and his one year old half-sister, Míde, will replace the two previous resident wolfhounds, Meabh and Saoirse. 

Among the largest of all breeds of dog, Irish Wolfhounds were regular guests at Bunratty Castle from the early days of the mediaeval banquets in the 1960s. The dogs would roam the great hall and dining areas, as would have been the custom in mediaeval times.

Breeder James Hussey of Cúdáráth Irish Wolfhounds delivered the dogs to Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, where they were welcomed by farm manager Niall Moloney.

Speaking about the Irish history of the wolfhound breed, James said: "The first written history goes back to 391, which is about 1600 years ago but the wolfhounds maybe go back further, probably 2000 years and beyond.

"The wolfhound is intertwined with things like the harp, hurling and other castles like Bunratty here today. 

"We don't see a lot of wolfhounds around, they're few and far between, so for Bunratty to take on these two and show them to the world, it's an amazing thing."