Travel / LIFEClockwise from top left: The 19th-century neo-Gothic castle-turned-
luxury hotel, Adare Manor, sits amid lush woodlands, walled
gardens and medieval ruins; breakfast and tea time take on
new meaning at The Gallery, which was inspired by Versailles’
Hall of Mirrors; the bathroom of the Lady Augusta Signature Suite
overlooks the expansive propertyAdare Manor
LIMERICK, IRELAND
A
stay at Adare Manor is probably as close as anyone can get
to living out any romantic novel fantasies. After all, the beautiful
neo-Gothic building, once known as Adare House, did actually
belong to a noble family—the second earl of Dunraven and his wife,
Lady Caroline. The entire estate took about 30 years to build, and it
remained the Dunravens family home until it was sold in the 1980s
and converted into the Adare Manor Hotel and Golf Resort.
In 2015, Irish racehorse tycoon JP McManus bought over the
property and the hotel closed and underwent a two year-long renovation
to include an entire wing of rooms, events spaces, as well as an 18-hole
championship golf course. Pains were taken to ensure the modern
addition was built with the same local materials used in the original
structure to create a cohesive look. The moment the car pulls up on the
driveway and its signature lancet arches come into view, one immediately
understands why this labour of love took ages to complete. Venture inside,
and it’s clear to see why the eff ort was worth it.
Every room at Adare Manor features luxe fabrics, mahogany touches
and furniture pieces inspired by the Georgian period, altogether infusing
a sense of homeliness. Oil paintings (and in some rooms, 19th-century
etchings) adorn the walls; there’s even a fi replace to keep you warm
when the Irish showers inevitably arrive. The manor’s expansive grounds
beckon even the least outdoorsy types with activities ranging from
falconry to clay pigeon shooting. If it’s relaxation that you’re after, spend
a pampering afternoon at La Mer Spa—the fi rst in the country—or take a
leisurely stroll down to Adare Village to marvel at the pretty thatched-roof
cottages deemed one of Ireland’s most photogenic spots.
This being Ireland, sumptuous food and warm hospitality abound.
There are fi ve restaurants in which you can indulge including
The Carriage House, where prime cuts of beef are the pride of the
kitchen. Wherever you choose to eat, enjoy a nightcap at The Tack
Room—this converted, speakeasy-style bar houses more than 100 rare
bottles, from the fi nest Scotch to Japanese and, of course, Irish whiskies.