In the world of grand hotels and resorts, few have debuted with more fanfare in the last decade than Adare Manor.
Irish businessman J.P. McManus purchased Adare Manor in 2015 for €30 million. He then spent twice that much more restoring the Manor House to its former glory and transforming the golf course into one of the finest in all of Ireland.
The restored Adare Manor hotel and golf course both emerged in 2018 to near unanimous praise. The hotel has won seemingly every award and accolade in the business and the golf course was quickly named the host venue of the 2027 Ryder Cup.
It’s little wonder why Adare Manor has already become a must-visit destination on Ireland golf trips. The 840-acre estate offers more Golf and the Good Life than a visitor could ever fully experience in just a day or two.
As a result, this guide will focus on the highlights of Adare Manor both on and off the golf course. After all, the combination of the two is the trademark of every Haversham & Baker expedition.
If a visit to Adare Manor is in your near future, here’s what you shouldn’t miss along the way.
The Manor House
The Adare Manor house was built along the River Maigue in the 1830s by the 2nd Earl of Dunraven. The manor was hailed as one of the great houses of Europe, and its design blended that of a French chateau with the Gothic Revival common in Great Britain and Ireland during the era.
Adare Manor is also a “calendar house,” consisting of 365 windows, 52 chimneys, 7 stone pillars, and 4 towers to, marking the number of days, weeks, and seasons in a year. The house is as grand inside as it is out, and no visit to Adare Manor would be complete without a significant amount of time exploring The Gallery, the Drawing Room, and the rest of this magnificent estate.
Credit: Adare Manor
The Practice Area
It may seem odd to highlight a practice area but, like everything else at Adare Manor, this one is truly world-class. Not to mention that driving ranges are a rarity in Ireland. Like the rest of the golf course, the range and chipping area is beautifully conditioned, is stocked with Pro V1s, and features real greens as target areas.
This is also where you’ll meet your caddie and, most importantly, give them an opportunity to size up your game. If you’re fresh off the plane and looking to knock off some of the jet lag before your round, the practice facility at Adare Manor is certainly the place to do it.
Credit: Adare Manor
The Bentgrass
We know what you must be thinking… First we highlighted the practice area, now we’re going to talk about the grass? Yes, but only because the grass is as important to the golf experience at Adare Manor as the design of the course itself.
The Adare Manor golf course uses A4 Bentgrass, which is maintained at putting surface height, in the areas approaching and surrounding its greens. The greens then transition to Pure Distinction Bentgrass and are, quite possibly, the truest roll in all of Ireland.
Together, you’ll often find that the best approach to a green is along the ground rather than through the air. It’s a good idea to bring your imagination to Adare Manor… You’re going to need it.
Credit: Adare Manor
The Gallery
An area within The Manor House which requires individual attention is The Gallery. Inspired by the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles, The Gallery is easily one of the most spectacular rooms in Ireland.
Breakfast is served daily in the ornate, 132-foot-long room, where the walls are adorned with Flemish choir stalls and ancient tapestries. If there is a more grand setting to start the day, we have yet to see it.
Credit: Adare Manor
The 11th Hole
At just 151-yards from the medal tees, the 11th hole at Adare Manor is one of the great short par-3s in Ireland.
The River Maigue crosses in front of the tee and then turns to guard the right-side of the green. Thanks to the bentgrass run-offs, any shot that’s pushed to the right will have a difficult time staying out of the river.
There’s certainly no shame in playing short of the green off the tee and letting your short game earn the par.
Credit: Adare Manor
The Padel Club
In addition to a wealth of outdoor activities such as fishing, falconry, and even axe throwing, The Padel Club is the newest amenity to debut at Adare Manor.
The club features a pair of custom padel courts, an indoor swimming pool, golf simulators, and a state of the art gym with yoga studio. This is all in addition to Adare Manor’s award-winning spa.
All of which combines to ensure that your stay at Adare Manor is a relaxing and restorative one.
Credit: Adare Manor
The 15th Hole
Every great course should include at least one risk-reward par-4. At Adare Manor, the 15th hole delivers one of the best.
The River Maigue protects the right-side of the fairway and green with the stunning Manor House on the opposite shore. Find the river with your drive and it’s an almost guaranteed re-tee. Lay-up too far left and trees will make for a problematic approach. Bail-out into the left green-side bunker and you’ll face an intimidating sand shot with the river ominously behind the green.
In other words, if you arrive at the tee expecting the 15th to deliver an easy par, you may quickly find yourself mistaken.
Credit: Adare Manor
The Oak Room
Of course, a truly world-class resort requires an array of exceptional dining. While there are numerous choices that fit the description at Adare Manor, none delivers a more elegant fine dining experience than The Oak Room.
The only Michelin Star restaurant in County Limerick, Chef Michael Tweedie’s tasting menu is a foodie’s delight. The menu is crafted seasonally and sources the finest ingredients from all around Ireland.
And then there’s The Oak Room itself, which was originally the family dining room, and is a grand setting to enjoy the Good Life at its Finest.
Credit: Adare Manor
The 18th Hole
Adare Manor was built with an eye to championship golf. As such, the 18th hole adds one last superlative to a golf course that’s filled with them.
As it has throughout the entire experience, the River Maigue features prominently here, guarding both the left-side of the fairway and the approach short of the green. After you safely find the fairway, the 18th hole presents more forgiveness than the looming river may suggest.
There’s nearly 100-yards of bentgrass short of the green, allowing players of even moderate length to get across the river safely. Otherwise, there’s plenty of room short of the river to lay-up, but the approach then becomes a delicate, all-carry pitch over the river. All of which is done with the magnificent Manor House standing as backdrop.
If there’s a setting that is better suited to Sunday at the Ryder Cup, we have yet to see it.
Credit: Adare Manor
The Carriage House
What other courses might simply call the clubhouse, The Carriage House offers an array of amenities that shouldn’t be missed.
After you’ve picked up your bag tag and other souvenirs from the pro shop, the Carriage House Bar is a perfect choice for post-round cocktails. You can also pay a visit to the well-stocked Cigar Lounge or reminisce on your round on the Terrace as the sun fades over the 800-acre estate.
And then there’s the Carriage House Restaurant, whose menu is sure to be the envy of golf clubs the world over. It’s almost enough to make you forget that The Manor House – the centerpiece of one of the best resorts in the world – is just a few yards away.
Credit: Adare Manor
Adare Manor delivers an array of Golf and the Good Life that is unrivaled in Ireland and perhaps all of the British Isles. From the splendor of the Manor House and the sumptuous dining options, to the wealth of onsite amenities and the golf course which has rightfully come to be known as the “Augusta of Ireland.”
Adare Manor checks every box of a world-class resort in spectacular fashion. When the best golfers in the world arrive for the 2027 Ryder Cup, there’s a good chance that some will lobby for the matches to be held there every time it’s Europe’s turn to host.
After your visit to Adare Manor, you’re likely to agree that it’s a pretty great idea.
Andy McMahon, Director of Golf, joins On the Tee with H&B to talk all things Adare Manor
Our free guide includes over 40 pages of valuable insight, plus links to nearly 50 additional resources, on Golf and the Good Life in Ireland.
For more insight on planning your golf trip to Ireland, visit the pages below, read our Ireland golf trip reviews, or have a look through our Yardage Book, where you’ll find answers to many of our most frequently asked questions.
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