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Adare
| Adare Co. Limerick | ||
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Visitor's rating: 12 vote(s) | ||
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The village Adare, a few kilometres south west of the town of Limerick, is founded at the time of the Norman conquest of Ireland and was a model estate village. With its broad streets and thatched roof stone cottages Adare is said to be one of Ireland's prettiest villages.
The history and development of the village and its fair share of ecclesiastical buildings can be traced in the Adare Heritage and Visitor Centre.
Adare Manor
In the 1840's the Second Earl of Dunraven travelled through England and he visited several mansions. The inspirations he gained inspired him to built Adara Manor as it is located in the centre of Adare today.
The Second Earl contracted the stained glass artist Thomas Willement and the architect Lewis Nockalls Cottingham for the job. Unfortunately he died before the manor was completed. His successor, Edward Richard Wyndham-Quin, the Third Earl of Dunraven, contracted Augustus Welby Pugin for the interior design and in 1862 Adare Manor was completed.
Adare Manor was sold in 1987 to the Kane family who turned it into a luxurious and therewith expensive hotel. Unless you want to check-in your visit to Adare Manor is restricted to the exterior. This means you can not see the 72 fireplaces, but you can see the 52 chimneys, one for every week of the year, and the 365 stained glass windows, one for every day of the year.
Trinitarian Friary
The former Trinitarian Friary is situated on the main street of Adare. Because the monks wore white habits the friary is also known as White Abbey. The Trinitarian Friary of Adare was the only branch of this order, which aim was the redemption of Christian slaves, in Ireland.
The Trinitarian Friary was founded by John FitzGerald, First Earl of Kildare, at the end of the thirteenth century. With the disappearance of Christian slaves the Trinitarian Order was almost extinguished in the sixteenth century. The suppression of monasteries by King Henry VIII was the final blow for the friary. The Trinitarian Friary fell in disrepair until the First Earl of Dunraven restored the building in 1809 when it became the Catholic parish church and monastery.
Desmond Castle
Adare
(authors collection)
Desmond Castle, also known as Adare Castle, is located just outside Adare. The castle is probably built in the twelfth century by William de Burgo, but there is evidence of an ancient ring-fort at the site. From the mid-thirteenth century until 1536 the castle was owned by the Earls of Kildare.
In 1536 the castle was fortified and granted to the Earl of Desmond. Barely 40 years later the Earl of Desmond raised a rebellion, fell in disgrace and he lost the stronghold to English forces. Several attempts were made to retrieve the castle without success and eventually the Earl of Desmond fled to a cave which is now known as Desmond Cave in County Tipperary.
In 1657 Desmond Castle was dismantled by the Parliamentary army.
There is little information regarding this castle. The three storeys high square tower, a fosse and the Great Hall near the river were probably built at the end of the twelfth century. After some thirteenth and fourteenth century modifications and enlargements the development of the Desmond Castle came to a standstill.
Desmond Castle is completely neglected and some areas are hazardous, so be careful.
The castle is not worth a detour, but if you are in the neighbourhood you can take a look at some fine windows, an ornamented fireplace and the Great Hall.
Keep in mind that there is also a Desmond Castle in Kinsale, County Cork.
Franciscan Friary
Close to Desmond Castle on the grounds of a golf club is the Franciscan Friary. This friary is also founded by the FitzGeralds, also known as the Munster Geraldines.
The Franciscan Friary is in an excellent condition.
Augustinian Friary
Just east of the village Adare you can find the former Augustinian Friary, also known as the Black Abbey.
The history of the Augustinian Friary is almost similar to the history of the Trinitarian Friary. John FitzGerald founded the Augustinian Friary in 1315. The religious suppression in the sixteenth century forced the monks to fled whereupon the building became a ruin. Again it was the First Earl of Dunraven who restored the church in 1807 and donated it to the Church of Ireland. The building you see today is the result of the careful restoration which took place in the beginning of the twentieth century.