This is Adare, Ireland, a small Irish village that sits twenty minutes southwest of Limerick. The main street is lined with original thatched roof houses, some of which are small restaurants and shops and others are privately owned.
There are a number of cafes, restaurants and pubs in town as well as a creamery. The best part though, is taking a stroll down the main street and seeing the original thatched roof houses that were built hundreds of years ago. Now, how often do you get to see something like that outside of Disney World?
The origins of the town date back to 1200 A.D.. It is located alongside the river Maigue, which runs off the river Shannon. Nearby you can find Desmond Castle and the Franciscan Friary.
While Adare is not nearly the size of Dublin (its quite tiny in fact), rest assured, Guinness is never in short supply, and according to the town signage above, its good for you!
Walking along the main street you can get from one end of town to the other in about ten minutes, which makes parking easy! Adare makes for a great stop if you are on your way to Limerick, Galway, or the Cliffs of Moher. It will add a little bit of extra time to your drive, but its often the little stops in between that stand out.
The further you get to the edges of town the more you can see how the architecture and home design has changed over time.
There are a few cafes to stop for a quick bite to eat, but if you're looking for something a little less expensive, make a turn down onto Station Road. After walking for about five or six minutes you will come across the Adare Village Center, a small shopping center. Here you will find a small grocery store and at the back there's a deli that can whip up a sandwich for you. I don't know what they put in their mayo, but its fantastic!
While in Adare, we made a second stop at an old estate known as Adare Manor. The Manor is as grand and stunning as the village is quaint and charming. Check back in later this week to see more on Adare Manor.
What: Adare, Ireland | A slight detour on your way to the Cliffs of Moher
Where: Twenty minutes southwest of Limerick
What to See: The original thatched roof houses on main street
How Long: About an hour or a little more if you stop for a bite to eat
What Else to Know: Adare Manor is just a few minutes away and worth a stop to walk around the estate grounds
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