Adare

Adare is often described as the prettiest village in Ireland. A favourite for golf vacations in Ireland, Adare town in County Limerick is a regular winner in the prestigious tidy towns competition, scooping the national title in 1976 and has been a strong contender ever since.

The Third Earl of Dunraven built a street with thatched cottages and well trimmed hedges at the gates of his early Victorian Manor in the 1820s. History had already endowed Adare with an exquisite backdrop to further please the eye - an ivied Norman Castle beside the river Maigue and the best collection of ruined medieval friaries in Ireland. These include a 13th century Trinitarian monastery, a 15th century Franciscan Monastery and a 14th century Augustinian Monastery.

Boasting the 18-hole golf course Adare Golf Course and Adare Manor it is an ideal choice for Ireland Vacations. The informative heritage centre uses models and audiovisual displays explaining the history of the area. It is open from May to September.