In the County of Limerick and village of Adare,

Thatched roofs are tidy and preserved with love and care.

Steeped rich in history with stories in every wall,

The centuries old Manor beckons you to call.

Host of the 2027 Ryder Cup Adare will be,

What a splendid week of golf for all the world to see.

A walk on many pathways through gardens all around,

Lose yourself in tranquility, only later to be found.

Ath-Dara, or “The Ford of Oak.”  Walking through the streets of Adare, one can close their eyes and travel to a time when locals tipped their hats to earls and bowed and curtsied to kings and queens.  Just a short distance from the city of Limerick, into the countryside of the county by the same name, beside the River Maigue, lay a splendid piece of land.  The earliest mention of a manor at Adare seems to be in 1226, just shortly after the Norman invasion of Ireland.  However, it would be 1720 and under the ownership of the Quin family, that a two-story Georgian style House would be built on what would be the site of the Manor today. It would undergo further renovations in the 1780s, moving toward a neo-classical style before the estate would be passed down to the 1st Earl of Dunraven and later the 2nd Earl of Dunraven.  In 1832, plans for creating a “home” to match Europe’s most prominent and grandiose houses and cathedrals would begin.  At the hand of acclaimed and treasured architect, AWN Pugin, the rebuild would take more than 30 years to complete, but would now stand as one of the most esteemed Neo-Gothic style structures in all the land.

Construction for the Manor occurred during one of the roughest times in Irish history.   The devastation, “an Drochshaol” of the potato famine, also known as the “Great Hunger” was in full control.  This was a period of vast starvation, heightened disease and a massive exodus out of Ireland. Through the building of Adare Manor, Earl and Lady Dunraven were able to provide work for many of the villagers, giving them food and a wage, a combination very rare and very well noted for the time.

There is a term in architecture for a structure to contain/include multiple elements that make up the number of days in a year, number of weeks in a year, number of days in a week, and then the tally of annual seasons.  With 365 windows, 52 ornate chimneys, 7 stone pillars and 4 towers,  Adare Manor is recognized as a “calendar house.”  Though renovations have been made throughout the course of time, the Manor itself remains a romantic version of the Gothic revival, complete with mythical beasts protecting the grounds.

Present day. Adare Manor is owned by the Irish Billionaire JP McManus.  He bought it at a time when the Manor, and golf course (Robert Trent Jones - original design), needed tremendous TLC and a major facelift.  It started with a vision, one that brought the Manor back the days of Lady Dunraven and her collecting of art and European treasures, and a time of decorative sophistication and classical opulence. And then a goal… to host a major event and to be revered as one of the best, five-star, golf resorts in the world.  The golf course would undergo an overhaul, complete with underground infrastructure including miles of fibre optic cables (necessary for major tournaments) and SubAir systems built into the greens to endure any weather known to the Emerald Isle. Couple this with a monumental team of agronomists and greens specialists, and Adare would be ready for a day now set for September 2027.

There are 840 acres that make up Adare Manor, with lush gardens, aged trees and foliage, and one of the best trout rivers in Ireland.  A visit to Adare, today, encompasses anything and everything luxury.  With a Tom Fazio (redesign) championship golf course, a Michelin Star restaurant (Oak Room), world-class Spa, Carriage House - best cocktails and breakfast around, shopping and more - time spent in this stately venue is nothing short of breathtaking.

Boutique.  Exclusive. Bespoke.  The pro shop, located just to the left as you walk into the Carriage House, is fully appointed with a plethora of merchandise so neatly stacked, so perfectly assorted.  The staff takes such pride in the look, selection and tidiness of the shop that you might have difficulty pulling a size or color from the flawlessly and meticulously folded tower of polos, sweaters (jumper), gilets (vests).  If ever there was a moment for a Jenga master!

Upon checking-in, meeting your caddy (Adare requires the services of their caddies, and rightly so), it is off to golf you go.  Just the walk to the first tee is magical with the green carpet rolled out in front of you, immaculate, pristine and pure.  Looking behind and you will swear that Cinderella and Prince Charming are strolling hand in hand, it is just that romantic.  But back to golf…

The Course…”wide fairways and delicate, temperamental approaches."

The course opens with a monstrous par 4, both in length and design.  There is a fairway bunker left, but trees right; honor the left half for a healthy start to the day.  Depending on your driving distance, the second shot demands a perfectly struck ball.  There is a burn before the green that will swallow anything that is short so if your range is shy, then lay up to a yardage for a nice shot into the green.  Take a breath and look around.  Let your senses be tickled!

The second hole is just daunting, starting from the box.  With a sliver of water that lurks in front of tee, then all along the left, it is critical to send the first shot up the right hand side of the fairway.  That said, a devilish, but beautiful, tree stands guard front right of the green.  It is a long approach to a putting surface that is quite generous.  An idea here is to land it short of the green for a bump and run approach to the pin.  Bent grass welcomes such thought, so remember that along the way.  This is a great time to stop, smell the fresh air, and realize where you are.  What a gift!

Number three.  A par 4 that looks fairly straight forward from the tee.   A good line is down the left as the fairway is tree-lined down the right.  There is a little crick of a creek directly in front of you from the tee, but it shouldn’t be too much of a hazard.  If anywhere else, you wouldn’t think twice.  Another long green where club selection is key; think bump and run from in front of the green for a position of success. Peace and joy surrounds, immerse yourself in the moment before moving to the next hole.

Though a straightaway par 3, the 4th hole can be a bit nasty if you try and cut off more than necessary.  This is one of those holes that you aim for the center of the green and if you make a putt, bravo!  Just don’t try to get too cheeky as the river in the back and anything left can definitely cause the heart to jump, and it is too early for that.  Give yourself a minute to just smile!

Offering a nice chance to score, the 5th is a fairly short par 4 that bends to the right.   Drive down the center to keep away from the bunkers that line the right.  If you have a rocket for a driver, you can certainly cut distance into the green.  Whether you play it safe or go for the gusto, leave yourself a distance that feels comfy as an approach.  With bumpers on both sides, any slightly wayward shot will funnel onto the green.  Make sure to trust the caddy reading the line as they can be tricky for sure; and appreciate all they do.

Next in line is a delicate little par 3.  Though straight off the tee, the 6th hole is not as easy as it looks.  With roughly 270 degrees of water, hitting the center of the green is the play.  No need to challenge too much but at the same time, trust in your ability, choose the right club and swing away!  With a bountiful green ahead, a good score is in store.  Fill your heart with warmth as you move to the next hole.

Just a beautifully designed par 5.  The 7th hole, though a wee but short, certainly deserves your thinking cap.  It will tempt you and persuade you to bite off a little more than chewable.  If the swing feels tidy, then by all means, this is a reward of a hole.  Play it smart by keeping it down the left side all the way.  With the green tickling the barrier of the water, landing it to the left of the surface will keep you happy, and happy is wonderful.

A lengthy par 4.  The 8th is dogleg left with bunkers and hazards on each side off the tee.  Splitting the drive is essential as the approach is very demanding.  With elevation coming into the green, be mindful with the yardage.  If it is going to take more than one shot to get on the putting surface, it might be wise to lay up to a distance that can bring you home with a bit of loft.  Tap in the putt and take another breath to look around.  Close your eyes and listen.  What do you hear?

And the 9th.  What a hole to bring you in.  No rest for the weary!  A long par 5 that looks like it bends a bit, but is fairly straight.  However, strategically placed bunkers along the route can cause a bit of angst if found.  Just take the drive down the middle and the same for the second.  From the center of the fairway, the green opens for a modest approach for the consummate golfer.  And with Manor in the background, what a vision!  Read this green properly, tap it in and head to the halfway house for a bit of a nibble before the back nine.

Grab a sandwich, crisps and a drink…and head on out to the 10th tee. The back nine takes a bit of a turn with denser foliage to keep you company.

A bounty of a par 4, perhaps not in distance but certainly in design.  The 10th hole invites you to hit a drive down the middle, passing the bunkers that ride both sides of the fairway.  Doing that and you have a sweet shot into the green.  What makes this hole interesting is a bunker that resides right in the middle false front of the putting surface, which is reminiscent of a boomerang.  The left side is beefier than the right, so depending on the pin position, take a club that can either fly it to one side or the other, or land it short and bump it up.  Here you go…smile and reach for the stars.

And then there is number 11.  A steep par 3 but also very fair.  With a 3-4 club difference, selection is key as the green is long and, well…long.  The snippet of water in front will mess with your mind a bit, but you could hit a wedge over with no problem.  It is a figment of your imagination.  To that end, the River Miague does run parallel to the right and can play havoc if you let it, but only if you let it.  Let the negative go and sit in the positive.  Swing.

Just a beast of a par 5 is now before you.  Number 12 begins its journey straight until it makes a left turn and goes until morning.  The drive is the easiest shot on the hole as making it down the fairway takes a few good strikes.  The further down you can get, the better off you are.  Makes sense as that is the idea, but with bunkers guarding the green like soldiers in battle, something with higher loft is indeed a benefit.  The back nine just touches the soul.

Number 13 is a big par 4…one with a lot of gumption.  Thin and narrow without much trouble, except for trees streaming up and down, congregating together to form a barrier.  A little bend here and there leaves you with a good distance into the hole.  With the undulations of some of the greens, it is imperative to check with your caddy… and trust them.  Trust is key to your golf swing... and life, right?

Dig in because it just keeps going.  Though, technically, one of the easier holes on the course, the 14th is still a bit of a monster.  Though early morning mowing might show a few twists and turns, it is really fairly straight.  With a pond hugging the right front half of the green, bouncing it in from the left makes sense.  If you can hit a controlled fade, that is the shot.  See the line, believe in yourself and find the way.

An opportune time to bring out all you have.  The 15th, a short and insidious par 4. If you are playing a match and are one down, rip the driver!  It is a touchy and daring shot but certainly one to risk if you can. If you are one up, then a better play might be to lay up so you have a club of choice into the green.  Water along the right side does speak loudly so just don’t talk back!  Stay focused and you will endure the test.

When looking at the scorecard before the day, one might see the 16th as a “sure” birdie, but in reality, it can bring a person to their knees.  Having been witness to a few rounds quickly going south, trust me… just take aim at the middle part of the overly huge green, no matter the pin position.  And the luminous waters before you, just close your eyes, count to three, open them and let go.  If it were all green grass, you wouldn’t think twice.  Swing.  Stay present.

Thinking Ryder Cup… matches notoriously culminate on the 17th hole; and this is a doozy. Though straightaway, this par 4 is a bit of a bear.  There is a menacing little bunker on the right just about tee shot distance.  The fairway slants a bit left to right so a nice little draw off the tee, or a scooter down the left is a perfect choice.  With the round almost finished, enjoy the walk to the green.  Stay focused, but feel every step.

And 18.  There is a lot going on for the finishing hole.  Just keep the blinders on and focus on shot making.  When you do that, a good score is at your feet.  Cutting it close to the left on the drive allows you a better chance of hitting the second shot over the water.  That said, the river to the left does guard against those being too bold.  As with every other hole at Adare, checking yardage before approach is key.  Sometimes it is just as important to leave yourself a way in rather than going for broke.  The green is well protected so keep just a bit left.  Tap in and take a bow with gratitude.

Adare.  What a beautiful walk in the park, literally.  Aged trees providing natural canopies for a tranquil setting, meticulously manicured lawn that is just that much brighter with the Irish rain, and enchanting Manor House that has stood the test of time and now invites modern stay.  It is a location like very few and one that will leave you in deep appreciation and admiration.  After your day, putter into the Carriage House for a well deserved rest.  Designed through no lack of expense, the bar is welcoming and relaxed but also the place of convention for talk of the day. Who did what, who owes what and who pays what.  Magnificently appointed furnishings along with a mesmerizing fire invite you to sink into a waking slumber.  Whether a cuppa tea or a 27 year Redbreast, embrace the experience as it is truly one in a lifetime.

Closing statement...be it magnanimously and immensely fortunate to stay and play at Adare Manor. If you have the chance, especially before the Ryder Cup year of 2027, by more all means... go. It will be on everyone's bucket list once the world discovers how special and rare it really is. And then, sit back, and enjoy watching the best players from both sides of the Atlantic tackle the same course you did. A gift indeed!