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Adare, Co. Limerick
Description
Smack in the middle of a busy tourist hub Adare, renowned as
Ireland's prettiest village because of its lovely cottages and churches, is the
Adare Heritage Centre. It is an informative
place to map out your visit.
The Heritage Centre exhibition tells the history of Adare,
beginning with the Norman invasion.
Learn the story of Adare village of 1500AD by viewing the village model
while listening to an audio tour, a refreshing alternative to a film
presentation. It is a unique experience
because you can visualize all the historical events why adopting a bird's eye
view of the village and surrounding lands, leaving more for your own imagination. Go further back and walk through the fine
display, depicting the history of the Trinitarian monastery, known as White
Abbey due to the color of the monks' white robes, that was built in
1230AD. This abbey also housed a
hospital and herb garden where the monks grew medicines. Learn about the lives of the Augustinian
Friary monks who wore black robes, giving the friary the nickname of the Black
Abbey.
The most fun part of our visit was loading a bus to go to
Desmond Castle, about five minutes away.
The Normans, who brought stone castles to Ireland and built over 200
castles in the area, built it. From the
castle, I can see the St. Nicholas Church, now in ruin, and the Franciscan
Friary ruins, the third abbey in Adare.
Franciscan monks distinguished themselves by taking a vow of poverty.
The castle is impressive.
I marvel at the lengths the Earl went to protecting himself and his
family. With multiple moats, tiny
windows, and thick walls, the place was truly a fortress. With the advent of gunpowder and cannons,
though, castles went out of fashion.
Oliver Cromwell dismantled the tower in the 17th
century. Today, the castle is in the
process of being tidied up and made safer by the city.
How to get there
By car:
From Limerick, take N20 south to Adare.
From Tralee, take N21 north to Adare.
By bus:
See www.buseireann.ie
website for all current travel details and restrictions.
Opening times
All Year Daily:
09.00-18.00
Historical
Exhibition:
Mar-Jun: Daily: 09.00-17.00
Jul-Sept: Daily: 09.00-17.30
Oct-Dec:
Mon-Fri: 09.00-17.00
Sat-Sun: 09.30-17.30
Jan-Feb: Mon-Fri:
10.00-16.00
Sat-Sun: 10.00-17.00
Castle: June to September, open daily, tours on the hour
departing from the Heritage Centre.
Admission fee
Exhibition:
Adult 5 euro
Adult Group (15 or more) 4.50 euro
Senior (65 yr +) 3.50 euro
Senior Group (15 or more) 3 euro
Student/Child (10 yr +) 3.5 euro
Group Student/Child (15 or more) 3 euro
Family 15 euro
Castle Tour:
Adult 6 euro
Senior (65 yr +) 5 euro
Combined rate 8 euro
Student/Child (10yr +) 5 euro
Combined rate 8 euro
Family 15 euro
Combined 20 euro
Group (15 or more) 4.5 euro
Address
Adare Heritage Centre
Main Street
Adare
Co. Limerick
Ireland
Tel: (0)61 396 666
Email:
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Web: www.adareheritagecentre.ie
Written by Liz O' Malley - Summer of Travel 2007
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