Come to the legendary 18th century Adare Manor Hotel & Golf and
discover your very own emerald paradise...It is a heaven for the most discerning
guest. With the blend of old world style, modern day facilities and Irish
hospitality, you are certain to create memories to last a lifetime at the truly
unforgettable Adare Manor.
HistoryAdare Manor borrows its name from the nearby village of Adare complete with
its delightful thatched roof cottages, lively pubs, and antique shops. The Manor
'structurally' as it exists today was not begun until 1832. The Second Earl of
Dun raven and his wife, Lady Caroline Wyndham, were living in a Georgian house
built in the 1720's by Valentine Quin, grandfather of the first Earl. But Lord
Dun raven, crippled with gout, was unable to participate in the usual activities
of a landed gentleman of leisure so Lady Caroline devised the idea of a new
manor house to give him something important to do. As it turned out, it was a
magnificent suggestion: the building of the house provided labour for the
surrounding villagers during the terrible potato famine that devastated the
country during the mid- 19th century. Through Lady Caroline went to great
lengths to establish the myth that Adare Manor was planned entirely by her
husband without an architect, it is fairly certain today that much of the design
work was done by James Pain who, along his brother George Richard had been
commissioned to design numerous public buildings and country homes. The actual
construction was supervised by James Connolly, a local mason, until his death in
1852.
The structure is a series of visual allusions to famous Irish and English
homes that the Dun ravens admired. It is replete with curious eccentricities
such as the turreted entrance tower at one corner rather than in the centre, 52
chimneys to commemorate each week of the year, 75 fireplaces and 365 leaded
glass windows. The lettered text carved into the front of the south parapet
reads: Except the Lord build the house, then labour is but lost that built if,
The elaborate decoration is a miracle of stonework -arches, gargoyles, chimneys,
bay windows. The interior spaces are designed on a grand scale. One of the most
renowned interior spaces is the Minstrel's Gallery: 132 foot long, 40 foot high
expanse inspired by the Hall of Mirrors in Versailles and lined on either side
with 17th Century Flemish Choir Stalls. The private Rooms hardly pale in
comparison to the public Rooms with elaborately decorated stone nd wood
craftsmanship and sweeping views of the river.
The 840 acre estate that surrounds the Manor House consists of sweeping
parklands, cultivated gardens, formal French gardens, magnificent mature trees,
and the Maigue, one of Ireland's best trout rivers. The Formal Gardens were laid
out in geometric box patterns by PC Hardwick in the 1850's. The assortment of
trees include the magnificent Cedar of Lebanon on the river bank (approximately
300 years old), the 180 year old Beeches, Monkey Puzzles, Cork, Aspen and
Flowering Cherry. Among the trees southwest of the Manor are Ogham Stones which
were 'imported' from Kerry by Edwin, the Third Earl of Dun raven. Ogham Stones
date from the early Fifth Century to the middle of the Seventh Century. They are
mainly Christian in context and are usually associated with old churches or
early Christian burial sites. Ogham inscriptions are in an early form of Irish,
frequently folio-wed by Latin inscriptions and often read from the bottom
upwards. A pet cemetery is located close to the Ogham Stones with carved
memorials to the Dun raven pets.
Lord Dun raven did not live to see his dream Manor finished in 1862 but his
eldest son, the 3rd Earl of Dun raven, did. The home remained in the Dun raven
family until 1982 when Lady Dun raven sold it to an investment consortium. In
1987, the Thomas F Kane family of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, acquired the
Manor. The delicate and detailed restoration was completed in 1988 transforming
Adare Manor into a world class home away from home. In 1989 the River Wing,
indoor Swimming Pool, and Conference Rooms were completed. The Robert Trent
Jones, Sr. Golf Course opened in August 1995. Stretching 7,138 yards from the
championship tees, Adare Golf Club encompasses 230 acres of lush countryside.
The River Maigue meanders through the back nine creating a sense of beauty and
challenge. The Spring of 1999 saw the opening of the 18,000 square foot
clubhouse. This facility includes men's and women's Changing Rooms, a Pro-shop,
a Bar, Dining Room, Conference Facilities, and 11 en-suite Bedrooms.25 two and
four Bedroomed Townhomes also opened, located in an elegant courtyard
close to the Manor and adjacent to the Clubhouse. Adare Manor has indeed entered
a new era as a premier vacation destination offering the finest of Irish
hospitality.
The Adare Manor Hotel Golf Course is located in an
attractive 840 acre estate, featuring sweeping parklands, cultivated gardens,
formal French gardens, mature trees and the river Maigue, one of Ireland?s
finest trout rivers. It is a 30 minute drive from Shannon International Airport.
Welcome to the Oakroom Fine Dining Restaurant, experience a romantic evening
in a candle lit dining room over looking the French Formal Gardens with views of
the slow flowing river Maigue.
Enjoy the atmosphere of graceful service under the Crystal Chandliers, Oak
paneled walls and Peter Ellenshaw Paintings.
Resident Head chef is Mark Donohue and his dedicated team have prepared a menu
using the very best of local Irish produce, which is complimented by Sommelier’s
recommendations of wine from the extensive cellars.
