With its woodland setting, beautiful stonework, picturesque thatched cottages and fine broad Main Street, Adare is a very special place. Historically, Adare belonged to the Kildare branch of the Fitzgerald's or Geraldine's and was later maintained and restored by the Dunraven family over the last two centuries. Spend time browsing through the antique and clothing boutiques and getting acquainted with the local people in one of the many restaurants and pubs. One should truly experience the Irish people and learn what they have made an art form...conversation.
The Adare Heritage Centre with exhibition and audio-visual show takes you back to share the excitement and colour of the town's rich and varied history. Also features tourist information office, restaurant, wollen mills outlet and craft shop. Open: Daily 9.30am to 4.30pm.
Take a tour of The Desmond Castle from the Heritage Centre from June to September. This is one of the most interesting examples of feudal architecture in Ireland and is comprised of a square keep, curtain walls and two great halls, kitchen, bakery and stable nearby the main gateway.
Franciscan Friary
Founded in 1464 by Thomas, Earl of Kildare, and his wife for Franciscan Friars of the Strick Observance, it was attacked and burned in 1646 by parliamentary forces. The ruin, located in the heart of the Adare Manor Golf Club, is still beautifully preserved with numerous gables.
Trinitarian Abbey
Founded by the Fitzgerald's around the year 1230 for the Trinitarian Canons of the Order of the Redemption of Captives, it was the only house of the Order in Ireland. It was suppressed in 1535 and gradually fell into ruin in 1811, part of the building, consisting of the tower, nave and choir, was restored by the First Earl of Dunraven and given to the Catholics of Adare as their parish church and remains so to this day.
Augustinian Priory
Founded in 1315 by John Fitzgerald, son of the Earl of Kildare, and restored in 1807 by the first Earl of Dunraven, this monastery has since been used as the Church of Ireland.
Stonehall Visitor Farm is a must for all visitors. Located in a tranquil & beautiful rural setting near Adare Co Limerick. Stonehall farm allows the visitors to experience first hand the enjoyment & fun of a wide variety of animals in a secure and pleasant setting.
Visit Stonehall Pet farm and learn something new about a wide range of domestic & rare breed animals.The pet farm at Stonehall is suitable for all ages to visit & is assured to be an enjoyable and educational activity.
Opening Hours: April, May, June, September, October Sat 11-6pm Sun 12-6pm July & August
Housed in the original terminal building in Foynes, recalls that nostalgic era when Foynes became the centre of the aviation world from 1939 to 1945. On July 9th 1939, Pan Am's luxury Flying Boat, the "Yankee Clipper" landed at Foynes to become the first commercial passenger flight on a direct route from the USA to Europe. During the late 1930s and early 1940s, this quiet little town on the Shannon became the focal point for air traffic on the North Atlantic. Now the "Yankee Clipper is back - our latest exhibit is the world's only full scale replica of the Boeing 314, "Yankee Clipper". You can travel back in time and see for yourself what it was like to be a passenger in one of these wonderful flying boats.
In 1942, Brendan O'Regan opened a restaurant and coffee shop in the Foynes terminal building and employed a Chef named Joe Sheridan. It was not long before Joe realised that the passengers coming to wait in the terminal in cold and rainy weather needed something to make the coffee a bit stronger. Thus, Irish Coffee was born.
The Foynes Flying Boat Museum is located in Foynes and is a 30 minute drive from Adare Manor.
Open Daily - March: 10.00h - 17.00h, April through October: 10.00h - 18.00h, November: 10.00h - 16.00h
Based just outside Limerick, you can take a quick 15 minute "arrive and drive" session or the full Grand Prix. The track is well recognised on the Irish Karting Circuit and has been host to many All Ireland finals over the years. It offers an excellent challenge to beginner and expert alike. Floodlights are installed for those dark winter nights and we race no matter what the weather throws at us. Opening hours are 12:00 Midday to 9pm seven days a week.
In 1996, Greenmount Stud was purchased after much deliberation. Six kilometres from the city boundaries near the village of Patrickswell, with the nearly 400 acres of prime greenbelt farmland, Greenmount was a natural choice, with a panoramic setting at which local point-to-point had been held for as long as local memory served. This was to be a bold venture. No racecourse had been built from new in over fifty years in Ireland; however, the commitment of the Board and the full support and backing of the Irish Horseracing Authority meant the dream became a reality.
