to stay or not stay in Adare
Mar 15th, 2003, 12:49 PM
#1
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to stay or not stay in Adare
will be in dingle in May. will be flying out of shannon so obviously need to get closer to airport the night prior to departure. would like to see adare but unsure whether to stay in adare or move even closer to airport. insite appreciated.
Mar 15th, 2003, 02:35 PM
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Consider Dromoland. We loved it and it is not far from the airport. www.dromoland.ie
Mar 15th, 2003, 07:25 PM
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pgo: Adare is a very attractive and interesting little town. Lots of thatched roofs and a beautiful church. If you have time the next morning to make your flight, it would be a nice last night to stay in Adare.
Mar 16th, 2003, 07:14 AM
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pgo,
There is a fair amount of debate concerning Adare. Some find its row of thatched-roofed cottages to be an irresistable Irish "Kodak moment". Others, however, find it too cute, too touristy, evoking an Ireland that never was. I fall into the latter camp, but considering your proposed one-day stay, I'd suggest that you check it out.
Beyond tour buses and thatched roofs, Adare has some antique shops and a pleasant park. It also has some historic sites, most notably an Augustinian priory, located on the outskirts of town on the road to Limerick. There's also a 15th century friary, but it's surrounded by Adare Manor's golf course, and when I was there "No Admittance" signs were all about. Speaking of Adare Manor, you might consider an overnight at this posh accommodation, but prepared to dig deep into your pockets.
As regards dining, you'd be hard pressed to do better than the very distinctive - and expensive - Mustard Seed. It's located close to Adare, in Ballingarry. It has been suggested, however, that you book a table for later in the evening, as the service around 7:00 can be a bit hurried.
Finally, as an alternative to Adare's cuteness, you might wish to get a bit closer to the Irish ground by driving north from Dingle, cross the River Shannon at Tarbert, and stay in west Clare, perhaps in Lahinch or Miltown Malbay. Another consideration - though it would be a slightly longer drive - would be to stay in Doolin, for a night of fine food (The Lazy Lobster or Bruach Na haille) and Irish traditional music. Should you opt for Lahinch, try eating at Mr. Eamon's or Barrtra, both of which are very good.
Best of luck.
There is a fair amount of debate concerning Adare. Some find its row of thatched-roofed cottages to be an irresistable Irish "Kodak moment". Others, however, find it too cute, too touristy, evoking an Ireland that never was. I fall into the latter camp, but considering your proposed one-day stay, I'd suggest that you check it out.
Beyond tour buses and thatched roofs, Adare has some antique shops and a pleasant park. It also has some historic sites, most notably an Augustinian priory, located on the outskirts of town on the road to Limerick. There's also a 15th century friary, but it's surrounded by Adare Manor's golf course, and when I was there "No Admittance" signs were all about. Speaking of Adare Manor, you might consider an overnight at this posh accommodation, but prepared to dig deep into your pockets.
As regards dining, you'd be hard pressed to do better than the very distinctive - and expensive - Mustard Seed. It's located close to Adare, in Ballingarry. It has been suggested, however, that you book a table for later in the evening, as the service around 7:00 can be a bit hurried.
Finally, as an alternative to Adare's cuteness, you might wish to get a bit closer to the Irish ground by driving north from Dingle, cross the River Shannon at Tarbert, and stay in west Clare, perhaps in Lahinch or Miltown Malbay. Another consideration - though it would be a slightly longer drive - would be to stay in Doolin, for a night of fine food (The Lazy Lobster or Bruach Na haille) and Irish traditional music. Should you opt for Lahinch, try eating at Mr. Eamon's or Barrtra, both of which are very good.
Best of luck.
Mar 16th, 2003, 10:30 AM
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Adare is much too cute and touristy for me. David D's suggestions for towns in west Clare are good ones. I also found Killaloe to be a good alternative on my last trip. Stayed there on the night before our departure from Shannon. Only a 40 minute drive to the airport and I found it to be a great place.
Mar 18th, 2003, 07:30 PM
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would adare be a good place to stay before driving to Dublin the next day? I'm looking for somewhere on the road from Dingle, and Limerick seems to be a city first, and I'm certainly looking for village charm until Dublin.
Mar 24th, 2003, 01:33 PM
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Have you considered Bunratty as a place to stay close to the airport - I really think its closeness to the airport is one of its major assets! Especially if you have an early flight! I once had a 7 am flight out of Shannon that made us get up at 4am! Proximity to the airport was definitely an issue! If you have an afternoon flight out, Adare would work fine! Another place I stayed that was definitely an off-the-beaten path little town was O'Briensbridge on the Shannon - its a wonderful little town and also convenient to a late morning or early afternoon flight.
Mar 29th, 2003, 09:09 AM
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DavidD,
Thanks for your suggestions. We are however looking for a bit of a different route prior to leaving out of shannon. We plan to fly into Shannon. Stay 2 nights in Doolin (explore Burren and Cliffs). Drive to Valentia Island via Killimer/Tarbert ferry. Hopefully get to take a trip to Skellig Michael. Then head to the Dingle Penn and explore. Then we need to get closer to Shannon airport. So our last full day is what we're trying to decide. We will be leaving Castlegregory in the morning and heading toward shannon. Still not decided on where to spend our last night. We leave shannon around 1pm.
We're open to suggestions.
Thanks,
pgo
Thanks for your suggestions. We are however looking for a bit of a different route prior to leaving out of shannon. We plan to fly into Shannon. Stay 2 nights in Doolin (explore Burren and Cliffs). Drive to Valentia Island via Killimer/Tarbert ferry. Hopefully get to take a trip to Skellig Michael. Then head to the Dingle Penn and explore. Then we need to get closer to Shannon airport. So our last full day is what we're trying to decide. We will be leaving Castlegregory in the morning and heading toward shannon. Still not decided on where to spend our last night. We leave shannon around 1pm.
We're open to suggestions.
Thanks,
pgo
Mar 29th, 2003, 09:27 PM
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pgo,
The following won't satisfy your Killaloe request, but you might consider altering your final day's plans and stay at Ash Hill Stud, located in Kilmallock, County Limerick. (See www.ashhill.com).
From Ash Hill you could drive into Limerick City and visit the impressive Hunt Museum (surely one of Ireland's best museums outside Dublin) and visit the nearby King John's Castle, one of the best castle "experiences" in the entire Republic. As an alternative, take a relatively short drive to Adare and see for yourself if this is Ireland's prettiest village.
Best of luck.
The following won't satisfy your Killaloe request, but you might consider altering your final day's plans and stay at Ash Hill Stud, located in Kilmallock, County Limerick. (See www.ashhill.com).
From Ash Hill you could drive into Limerick City and visit the impressive Hunt Museum (surely one of Ireland's best museums outside Dublin) and visit the nearby King John's Castle, one of the best castle "experiences" in the entire Republic. As an alternative, take a relatively short drive to Adare and see for yourself if this is Ireland's prettiest village.
Best of luck.
Mar 30th, 2003, 02:03 AM
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If you're coming up the N-21 (Limerick - Tralee) you could always stay at the Devon Inn (TempleGlantan, about 6-mi past Abbeyfeale) or in Newcastlewest you might want to try Killeline Leisure Park (1km south of the N-21 on the Old Cork Road) with great facilities (20m heated indoor swimming pool, steam, sauna and hi-tech workout room and an adjacent 18-hole parkland golf course). Either of those is about 45 min drive to Shannon airport.
Mar 30th, 2003, 08:41 AM
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To pgo:
In Killaloe, we stayed at Kincora House B&B. (www.killaloe.ie/kincorahouse/)
It's a very old house that's been beautifully restored and it's in the center of town. We prefer to be within walking distance of pubs and restaurants, and we love old houses, so it was perfect for us. We also found Ursula and Simon, the owners, to be wonderfully helpful hosts.
In Killaloe, we stayed at Kincora House B&B. (www.killaloe.ie/kincorahouse/)
It's a very old house that's been beautifully restored and it's in the center of town. We prefer to be within walking distance of pubs and restaurants, and we love old houses, so it was perfect for us. We also found Ursula and Simon, the owners, to be wonderfully helpful hosts.
Mar 30th, 2003, 09:43 AM
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A great thing - endless options. I appreciate everyone's input. I guess the last day/night thing is a tough decision because of it being our last precious hours in Ireland. We're not into the touristy theme park scene so I appreciate your recommendations for more off-the-beaten-path places that are a reasonable drive to shannon airport.
thank you,
thank you,
Mar 30th, 2003, 11:32 AM
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I agree with you on trying to avoid tourist trap type places or places where elveryone else has seen - BUT if you haven't been or feel that Bunratty Castle is touristy - you're not being fair to yourself.
The young people who perform at Bunratty are college music students and the program that is performed is excellent. The musicians, the singers were all first rate and the dinner was also as unique as could be. So, sometimes it's best to check some of these places out quite well.
I've been to many places in Ireland but I truly enjoyed Bunratty castle.
The young people who perform at Bunratty are college music students and the program that is performed is excellent. The musicians, the singers were all first rate and the dinner was also as unique as could be. So, sometimes it's best to check some of these places out quite well.
I've been to many places in Ireland but I truly enjoyed Bunratty castle.
Mar 31st, 2003, 01:52 AM
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I have opnly been to adare once passing through with my nmother but I have to say it is really not the "real" Ireland. It looks to me like a pre-fab village made for tourists. Adare Manor is also a place out of many people's price ranges. Even though Bunratty is very "touristy" it does not pretend to be anything else and is fun if you take it for that. I just don't think it's worth the money to stay in Adare even though it is lovely looking.
