Set in 900 acres beside the River Maigue, Adare Manor is the former home of the Earls of Dunraven and has been the most impressive manor house in the region since it was built in 1832 - and, while the Dunravens have long since departed, the estate still retains their familial warmth and elegant taste.
The property was bought in 2015 by Limerick-born businessman JP McManus and, following closure for a multi-million euro refurbishment, the revitalised hotel has been elevated to an exceptional level of luxury and it is now very much a 5-star establishment.
As well as upgrading many areas of the hotel, including the accommodation (which includes four signature suites), a luxurious new 42-bedroom wing has been added, along with a 350-seater ballroom and amenities including a La Mer Spa (the first in Ireland or the UK), swimming pool and cinema. The newly redesigned championship golf course takes pride of place among outdoor activities but there are many more including falconry, fishing, horse-riding, game shooting and archery.
The bedrooms are spacious, and extraordinarily comfortable, with views overlooking the verdant golf course and the gentle River Maigue. A complimentary mini bar offers refreshments and sweet treats, perfect for bringing on a cycle on a traditional Pashley bike.
The splendid chandeliered drawing room and cloistered dining room of this handsome neo-Gothic mansion look out over formal box-hedged gardens towards the famous golf course. While there are other less formal options to suit different occasions, The Oak Room - a romantic restaurant lit only by candlight - continues to offer a memorable fine dining experience. This beautiful room has hosted many royals, aristocrats and celebrities over the years - and, today, Head Chef Michael Tweedie and his team offer a six-course menu, showcasing some of the finest Irish foods, sourced from a range of family farms and artisan producers in Galway, Tipperary and of course, Limerick. Skilfully balancing refined elegance with comforting, traditional flavours, each dish is crafted with seasonality in mind - delicious examples in late spring or early summer could include goat’s cheese with gingerbread; turbot with oyster in caviar sauce; and Longwood Farm lamb with aromatic garlic scapes.
Hungry golfers are well catered-for too, in the elegant, yet relaxed Carriage House, and diners in search of a digestif should head down to the Tack Room, with its traditional, cosy pub ambience, or sample a cocktail in the formal, ornately-decorated Drawing Room.
Night-owls can also take advantage of a private cinema with a 140” wide screen and freshly-popped popcorn to add to the Hollywood ambience.
It would be wise to leave room for breakfast however, as it is quite the feast at Adare Manor. The stunning, light-drenched Gallery (where Afternoon Tea, with delights by Head Pastry Chef Xavier Torne, is also served) makes a magical setting for an abundance of good things, ranging from health-focused dishes to the more traditional grilled fare, featuring Crowe’s Farm bacon from Co Tipperary. Tiers of pastries are baked fresh in-house each morning, and it would be difficult to imagine a better start to the day than sipping Irish-roasted coffee while admiring the Gothic stained-glass windows and the fascinating stories they depict...
From coats of armour to Latin inscriptions, centuries of history are woven through Adare Manor, its food and its people. The McManus family are worthy successors in a long line of the finest traditional Irish hospitality at this exceptional property - and the wonderful staff, especially, are a great credit to that tradition, not only providing outstanding service but also making every guest feel at home and truly welcome.
