Adare Village Park
In the heart of the village is a pretty oasis and gathering place in the shape of a public park. The land for this beautiful park, like most of the village, was once part of the massive Dunraven estate. One feature of the park is the lovely thatched gazebo, which plays a part in village events and is a popular photographic background for the many weddings that take place in Adare all year round.
Adare is a village in County Limerick, Ireland, located south-west of the city of Limerick. Renowned as one of Ireland’s prettiest towns, Adare is designated as a heritage town by the Irish government. The River Maigue is tidal as far as Adare, with the settlement forming around the eastern bank of the Maigue overlooking the fording point from which the village gets its name. An annalistic reference is made in the medieval Annals of Inisfallen at AI982.4 “The Tree of Mag Adar was broken by Leth Cuinn”.
Owing to the strategic importance of the river crossing the Desmond castle was built overlooking the site near Ardshanbally (derived from Ard an tSeanbhaile – ‘high ground of the old town’), and was first mentioned in 1226. Historically a market town, in the Middle Ages, Adare boasted three monasteries. Owing to the influence of the Earls of Dunraven, who built the Adare Manor (now a luxury resort hotel) a strict plan was laid out for the town.
