ADARE VILLAGE & ADARE MANOR
County Limerick

The Blue Door Restaurant

Adare Village's history dates back to the time it was a fief under the rule of the Fitzgerald's, the Earls of Kildare. The current 18th century manor house was built on the grounds of the original keep. The village grew up around the estate, as this was where the staff lived who worked in the manor.

Today, the village's appearance can be credited to the Earl of Dunraven who restored the village between 1820-1830. Some say that Adare is Ireland's prettiest village. Others say that it's Ireland's prettiest English village. The villages over-manicured homes and gardens contradicts Ireland's more relaxed charm.

Adare Manor (photo right) was completley restored and furnished with period antiques. The grand foyer features the original wood-panelled vaulted ceiling. Intricate plasterwork adnorns the ceilings in most rooms, including the bar and guest library. Walls boat original hand painted wallpaper. While the house has been expanded, the main hall features 52 chimnies (one for every WEEK of the year), 75 fireplaces and 365 leaded glass windows (one for every DAY of the year). Now a 5-star luxury hotel, the manor boasts such guests as ex-US President and First Lady, Bill and Hillary Clinton.

Adare Manor

The manor sits on 840 acres of private grounds that includes an 18-hole championship golfcourse, equestrian, tennis and formal gardens, all surrounded by original stone walls.At the back of the property is the original gatehouse that opens out onto the N21. It's no longer in use but is quite a lovely structure. A back gate will take you to the Augustinian Priory (see below).

One of the main features of Adare Manor is the lettered text carved into the front of the south parapet which reads--

"Except the Lord build the house, then labour is but lost that built it."

Also on the Manor property lay two intriguing ruins. The Saint Nicholas Church and Chantry Chapel. They date back to the 12th century. St Nicholas is the only accessible ruin as the Chapel sits in the middle of the golf course.

Trinitarian Priory
The Augustine Priory is also known as "Black Abbey" and is the villages Anglican Church. The Priory was founded by the Fitzgerald's in 1315AD. The abbey is in excellent repair and boasts a central tower, hand carvings and cloister. Its pride is a lovely sedilia, a hand carved triple seat.
Near the Priory are the 13th century ruins of Desmond Castle Demesne, which are currently under partial restoration. The castle is situated on the banks of the River Maigue and best viewed from the bridge. It is not accessible to visitors as of yet.
Adare's main street has many thatch cottages whose construction date back to around 1828. The Earl of Dunraven had these homes built for his servants. Today the occupants of these homes range from craft shops to restaurants, such as the award winning Blue Door and the Inn Between.
On the right side of the street is the Trinitarian Priory (photo left). The Fitzgerald's, too, founded it, in 1230AD, then restored by the first Earl of Dunraven. The Priory is now a Catholic church and convent.
Directly across the street is the town's park. It is a recent addition to the town and incorporates the Washing Pool, the original site where women once gathered to do laundry when the town was part of the estate. Signs here tell the full story. And if it's a nice day, take a stroll through the trees with your sweetheart!
The Adare Heritage Center is next door to the Priory, back across the street, and houses craft and gift shops, a heritage shop, café and the public toilets.
On your left as you come to the end of Adare village is the Dunraven Arms Hotel and Restaurant. This was a one-time coach house. Named after the town's more recent owners, the Dunraven Arms host the local hunt, also called the ride to hounds.