Adare Manor, County Limerick, Ireland – review

Head to this stunning neo-gothic manor house for an accessible weekend away set in beautiful surroundings
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Mary Lussiana13 October 2018

Setting a new benchmark for luxury in Ireland, Adare Manor sits on the outskirts of County Limerick’s prettiest village. Recently re-opened after a multi-million pound renovation, interiors gleam whilst its neo-gothic, grey exterior sits serenely within a beautiful park of over 800 acres.

Where is it

On the west of Ireland, just 30 minutes from Shannon Airport and an hour and a half away from the Cliffs of Moher. The village of Adare is postcard perfect with its line of thatched cottages and its impressive churches; the best of which is the Church of Ireland, originally an Augustinian Priory founded in the 14th century, and restored in 1807 by the first Earl of Dunraven who lived at Adare Manor.

AdareManor (Jack Hardy)
Adare Manor

Style

Originally built from locally quarried grey limestone in the 1860s, as a seat for the Earls of Dunraven, the manor is a magnificent example of neo-gothic splendour decorated with gargoyles, parapets and inscriptions carved into the stone. Interiors equally set out to impress with the Great Hall designed by legendary architect Pugin, famous for his trademark Gothic Revival style and a gallery on the first floor created by the Pain brothers; pupils of celebrated Regency architect John Nash. With a soaring cathedral ceiling, stained glass windows at either end, intricately carved wooden panels decorated with colourful heraldic arms and a 15th century doorway the gallery is today the setting for both breakfast and afternoon tea. With the original elements of the building restored with care, the renovation has added more rooms, a ballroom and a cinema. Antiques run throughout and both bedrooms and public areas maintain a 19th century style, despite which the overall feel is warm and welcoming.

(Adare Manor (Jack Hardy) )
Adare Manor (Jack Hardy)

Facilities

Facilities are numerous both indoor and outdoor. There is a Tom Fazio designed championship golf course. There is archery, falconry, clay pigeon shooting and fishing, whilst younger guests will love the fairy trail which winds through the woodlands complete with tiny dwellings and a playground. The cinema is the answer to the inevitable rainy day; alternatively there is a small swimming pool and a gym in the spa which is the only one in Ireland to stock Le Mer products, alongside Aromatherapy Associates. Try their sleep sound signature massage for a total unwind.

Adare Manor spa (Jack Hardy) 
Adare Manor (Jack Hardy)

Food & Drink

Breakfast, served in the gallery is an appropriately Irish affair with smoked kippers, oatmeal porridge, served with Adare Manor honey and a signature breakfast which includes Clonakilty black and white pudding, Kildare farm sausages and grilled Crowe’s farm bacon, alongside a lavish buffet, excellent locally hand roasted coffee and a good variety of wellness shots. Lunch in The Carriage House, a new addition designed by David Collins Studio offers a mix of salads, burgers, fish and chips, wild mushroom risotto and delicious scallop and lobster ravioli. Dinners in the more formal Oak Room draw on local, seasonal ingredients such as Turbot, Dooncastle oyster, caviar sauce or Feighcullen farm duck, Iona farm beetroot and liquorice. The Tack Room is the place to explore the 100 plus whiskeys on offer as well as some award winning cocktails and light bites from beef sliders to chicken skewers.

The Carriage House Terrace (Jack Hardy)
Adare Manor (Jack Hardy)

Extra-Curricular

Take a wander through the pretty village to see the little museums, the heritage centre and the three different churches, before heading off to the Cliffs of Moher for a brisk walk in the sea breeze to work up an appetite for your not to be missed afternoon tea.

Signature suite bedroom (Jack Hardy)
Adare Manor (Jack Hardy)

Which room

All the 104 rooms are individually decorated and superbly comfortable with a staff of 450 to look after you – the biggest staff to guest ratio in Ireland. The signature suites are spacious and have marble bathrooms which offer a free standing tub under the window with views onto the parterre with a huge walk in shower as well, accessorised by Aqua de Parma amenities. But each one has its charm and comes with a complimentary mini bar.

 Dunraven stateroom bathroom (Jack Hardy)
Adare Manor (Jack Hardy)

Best for

Those who want a fantastically accessible weekend break in beautiful surroundings. Perfect too for families for whom there is something for everyone, from teenagers trying out the clay pigeon shooting and falconry to toddlers searching for fairies to golfing for fathers while mother and daughters try out the spa.

When to go

Ireland wouldn’t be Ireland without a bit of mist. Summer obviously is your greatest chance of fine weather but no one goes to Ireland for a sun tan, so book when you feel like a weekend break for here it is as good to be cosy by a log fire, whiskey in hand as it is to be out in the gardens.

Details:

Doubles from £285 including breakfast. adaremanor.com