Palatial

July 26th, 2007

We recently paid a visit to Adare Manor Hotel & Golf Resort. If you are planning a romantic trip to Ireland and are looking for a memorable destination, look no farther.

Aerial view of Adare Manor
As soon as you enter the lush grounds of the estate you will know that you have made a wise decision. Situated in the picturesque village of Adare (southeast of Limerick and an easy drive from the Shannon Airport), the manor house itself is a 19th century monument to that era’s standard for conspicuous consumption: 52 chimneys, 75 fireplaces, 365 leaded glass windows, gargoyles, arches, a “Minstrel’s Gallery” inspired by the Hall of Mirrors in Versailles. Who could ask for more?

More, you ask? How about a Robert Trent Jones Sr.-designed golf course, recently expanded to 7,453 yards, which meanders through the estate’s breathtaking 840 acres? This course serves as the host to the Irish Open in 2007, 2008 and 2009.

Aerial view of Adare Manor and Golf Course

If you are not a golfer, you might enjoy the formal French gardens laid out in 1850 and exhibiting the qualities that only 150 years of maturation and manicuring can produce.

The nearby Clonshire Equestrian Centre offers riding and instruction for riders of all ages and abilities. Salmon and trout fishing is available on the River Maigue, which runs through the estate grounds. Laser clay target shooting, archery and a sunny indoor swimming pool are also available, as is a luxury spa.

The manor presents a variety of choices for dining and cocktails, each more elegant and spectacular than the next. Because the Manor was built with comfort, style and opulence in mind, you will find yourself pampered at every turn. An attentive, professional staff is available to serve your every need.

The Dunraven Staterooms and Presidential Suite are nothing short of extraordinary, each room being distinctly different than the others due to the architectural peculiarities of the manor house itself. The decorating is at once stylish and elegant, yet not stuffy nor overdone. From the tasteful furnishings and intricately decorated ceilings to the inviting marble bath, the superior guest rooms in the manor house are among the finest accommodations in Ireland.

For Gatsby’s complete 51-photo tour of Adare Manor, click here.