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Adare Manor was built in 1832 by the first Lord Dunravan, who
was a landed gentleman of leisure. His wife, Lady Caroline,
thought he needed something to keep him busy so suggested the
construction of a new home for their family, as they were living
in a 1720s cottage, originally built by Valentine Quin. This
project turned out to be an excellent suggestion, as the Irish
Famine would devastate the country (1845-1849) and work on the
estate provided much needed work for local residents. The manor
contains a collection of visual allusions and curious eccentricities,
such as the turreted entrance tower, 75 fireplaces, 52 chimneys
(one for every week of the year) and 365 leaded glass windows
(one for each day of the year). The balustrade on the south
parapet reads: "Except the Lord build the house, the labour
is but lost that built it." Further architectural features include
stone carved gargoyles, arches and window bays. Within the manor,
architectural intrigues include the Minstrel's Gallery with
the 17th century Flemish choir stalls, Library with the original
collection of books and Great Hall, which includes the original
sweeping staircase, handcut stonework and original Oriental
silk wallpaper, amongst other fascinations.
The house sits on 840 acres and includes sweeping parklands,
cultivated gardens, formal French gardens, magnificent mature
trees, and the River Maigue, one of Ireland’s best trout rivers.
The estate's stablehouse has been converted into a day spa and
additional townhouses now serve as self-catering accommodations.
Guest can enjoy the 18-hole golf course, trout fishing and equestrian
pursuits. The grounds boast a remarkable collection of woodland
trees...Beeches that are more than 180 years old, Monkey Puzzles,
Cork, Aspen, Flowering Cherry and the magnificent Cedar of Lebanon
which lives beside the riverbank near the house. Ogham stones
were imported from Kerry by the third Earl of Dunravan. These
stones date from the 5th to 7th centuries and common to church
and burial sites. A pet cemetery is decorated with hand carved
stone memorials to late Dunravan pets. And the village of
is at the doorstep of the main gate.
Opulence, splendor and history can all be found at Adare Manor.
Seasonal special rates make this property accessible for a multitude
of budgets.
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