Day 7: Cottage Rest & Fine Dining at Adare Manor

The group decided on a day of rest before our big drive up north.  Sleeping until 9:00 was a luxury and greatly appreciated.  Jim and I drove to Askeaton to buy the ingredients for Irish breakfast.  We learned that rastic is what they call pea meal bacon here.  Also, the six loose eggs all had double yolks.

A leisurely breakfast foolowed by laundry and some time to plan our time in Donegal was appreciated.  Liz worked on her video production, Jim enjoyed some TV, Marilyn played Angry Birds and read.  Dwight wrote a long blog entry and prepared the VAT refund paperwork.

In the late afternoon we drove the 10km to Adare and walked around the village's high end shops and took pictures in the village park.  Marilyn bought a cashmere hat and we all enjoyed a hot drink and delicious scones.  

Adare's High Street

Thatched Cottage

Village Public Park 

The "washing hole" where villagers gathered to wash clothes in Middle Ages

Marilyn and Dwight enjoying the Park

The village has a long history with various Abbey's dating back to the 13th century!  Just outside of the village is Adare Manor.  This 19th century manor house and grounds was the home of the Earl of Dunraven and is now a luxury hotel and golf course that was the site of the 2007 & 2008 Irish Open. In 2010 a Pro-Am tournament was featured that 10 of the top 12 golfers including Tiger Woods attended.

We drove onto the Adare Manor grounds and spent more than an hour touring the manor house, gardens, golf course and carriage house (golf pro shop).  As you can see from the pictures it was private and elegant.

Small gate to Manor near the village

The Dining Hall

Carved benches along the wall

Marilyn between 2 carved gargoyles

A view from the garden

The neatly trimmed gardens

A Lebanon Cedar planted in 1645.  It is the oldest in the UK and Ireland.

A view from the steps near the river.

Marilyn contemplating the river.

Marilyn and I dined in the Oak Room while Liz and Jim opted for the Carriage House.  Marilyn enjoyed Irish Sea scallops and Gnocchi while I enjoyed Wild Mushroom Soup and Venison Filet.  The food was incredible and service by the Romanian twin waiters Christian and Radu was attentive.  We finished with tea, cappucino and petit fours.  Jim and Liz enjoyed penne with chicken and rocket salad.

The day's biggest challenge was finding the way out of the Manor grounds.  The GPS was totally confused so we had to stop at the carriage house and ask directions.  After that adventure, a country drive home in the dark was uneventful.  It was early to bed since we leave the cottage for the long drive to Donegal in the morning.