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There’s plenty of things to do in Adare regardless of whether you’re staying in the town or passing through.
From thatch cottages and historical sites to walks, lively pubs and the many mighty restaurants in Adare, this gorgeous town in County Limerick is well worth visiting.
In the guide below, you’ll discover what to do in Adare at any time of the year. Dive on in!
Our favourite things to do in Adare
1. Kick start your visit with a caffeine-kick from Café Lógr
2. Then have a wander through the village and see the thatch cottages
3. Step back in time on an Adare castle tour
4. Or head for a leisurely ramble around Adare Village Park
Other popular things to do in Adare (and nearby)
1. Explore the Augustinian Friary
2. End an afternoon on the Knockfierna walk
3. Or try your hand at some falconry or archery
4. Grab something tasty to-go from the Adare Market
5. Or kick back with a fine feed in one of the village’s many mighty restaurants
FAQs about what to do in Adare
What are the best things to do in Adare?
What are good things to do near Adare?
Our favourite things to do in Adare
The first section of the guide is packed with our favourite things to do in Adare.
Below, you’ll find everything from delicious food and Adare Castle to the town park and more.
1. Kick start your visit with a caffeine-kick from Café Lógr
Photos via Café Lógr on FB
Café Lógr is an absolute beaut of a spot and it’s perfect for both a coffee-to-go and a sit in meal, as you’ll see in the snaps above.
It’s located right on the Main Street across from Pat Collins Pub. If you arrive when the weather’s fine, you can grab a seat outside and watch the world go by.
2. Then have a wander through the village and see the thatch cottages
One of the most popular things to do in Adare is to have a nosey at the gorgeous thatch cottages that can be found dotted around the town.
In the 1830s, the Countess of Dunraven, the wife of the second Earl of Dunraven, gave orders to build these cottages to give proper accommodation to the many servants working at the Dunraven Estate.
Fast forward many years later and these thatch cottages give Adare a fine bit of character. Although some are now used as restaurants and cafes, others are used as homes.
3. Step back in time on an Adare castle tour
Desmond Castle is another of the more popular places to visit in Adare and it’s one of the more impressive castles in Ireland.
This imposing structure is located on the edge of Adare, around a 15-minute walk from the town centre. This castle dates back to the beginning of the 13th-century and it belonged to the Earls of Kildare for almost 300 years.
You can visit the castle from June to September and there’s shuttles that regularly depart from the Adare Heritage Centre.
Related read: Looking to stay in Adare? Have a nosey at our guide to the top hotels in Adare in 2022.
4. Or head for a leisurely ramble around Adare Village Park
After you step back in time at the castle, take a wander into Adare Town Park and escape the hustle and bustle of the town for a bit.
The entrance is located on the Main Street and, while the park isn’t exactly huge, it’s a lovely spot for a pre-or-post-dinner ramble.
Other popular things to do in Adare (and nearby)
Now that we have our favourite things to do in Adare out of the way, it’s time to see what else the town has to offer.
Below, you’ll find more attractions in the town along with a clatter of things to do near Adare.
1. Explore the Augustinian Friary
You’ll find the Adare Friary situated on the banks of the River Maigue just outside of the town centre. This friary dates back to the late 13th-century and was founded by John Fitzthomas Fitzgerald.
Also known as Black Abbey, it was been completely refurbished during the 19th-century and is impressive both inside and out.
Despite the refurb, some features belonging to the original friary can still be admired to this day, such as the little cloister and the tower dating back to the 15th-century.
2. End an afternoon on the Knockfierna walk
Photos with thanks to @justcookingie on IG
One of our favourite things to do near Adare is the Knockfierna Walk (aka ‘The Hill of the Fairies’). This is one of the tougher walks in Limerick and requires a good level of fitness.
The trail stretches for 4.5km but, as it’s a linear walk, it’s 9km in total. Length wise, you’re talking at least 2.5 hours to complete.
There’s also a fair bit of elevation (111 metres) which means it’ll suit those of you looking to burn a few calories!
3. Or try your hand at some falconry or archery
If you’re looking for unique things to do in Adare, then head to Adare Country Pursuits where you can spend an afternoon with an experienced falconer.
Over the course of your visit, which takes place at the lavish Adare Manor, you’ll get an insight into everything there is to know about the ancient art of falconry.
There’s also owls or, if birds aren’t your thing, there’s archery, too.
4. Grab something tasty to-go from the Adare Market
Adare Market (not pictured above) is held every Saturday and Sunday, from 11 am to 5 pm, at the Village Hall located in the centre of the town.
Now, you can either have a ramble through it before heading off to your next attraction or, if you’re bringing an appetite with you, you can grab a bite to eat.
You’ll find everything from delicious warm dishes to homemade bread, cakes, jams and chutneys.
5. Or kick back with a fine feed in one of the village’s many mighty restaurants
Photos via Sean Collins & Sons on FB
There’s some incredible restaurants in Adare for those of you spending the night. Now, if you fancy a more formal sit-down, 1826 Adare is hard to beat.
For a unique treat, the Oak Room at Adare Manor is an experience you won’t forget. Or, if you fancy a casual bite that packs a punch, there’s lots of pub grub on offer!
6. Curraghchase Forest Park
If you’re looking for more things to do near Adare, take the 15-minute spin to the stunning Curraghchase Forest Park where you can head for a ramble.
This park is 300 hectares in size and used to be the property of the de Vere family (you can still admire the ancient facade of the former grand house in front of the car park).
Throughout the park, you will find other structures that once belonged to the de Vere estate, such as the arboretum, the pet cemetery and a memorial cross.
Lough Gur Lake is another spot well worth travelling to (30-minute drive from Adare). Evidence has proved that humans have inhabited this site since Neolithic times.
The area boasts a number of walking trails with something to suit most levels of fitness. Lough Gur is also home to the largest stone circle in Ireland, with a diameter of 45 metres (148 feet), and two ancient castles.
Photo by Pierre Leclerc (shutterstock)
Last but by no means least is Limerick City (the third most populous city in Ireland), a handy 20-minute drive from Adare.
You can spend the morning exploring King John’s Castle or rambling around Limerick City Gallery of Art and the afternoon in one of the many excellent restaurants in Limerick.
There’s also plenty of trails, indoor attractions and pubs to nip into, if you fancy.
FAQs about what to do in Adare
We’ve had a lot of questions over the years asking about everything from ‘What are some unique attractions?’ to ‘Where is there when it rains?’.
In the section below, we’ve popped in the most FAQs that we’ve received. If you have a question that we haven’t tackled, ask away in the comments section below.
What are the best things to do in Adare?
Start off by rambling around the town and seeing the thatch cottages and then head to the castle, the friary and the town park.
What are good things to do near Adare?
There’s Limerick City’s many delights, Lough Gur, Curraghchase Forest Park and the Knockfierna walk all close by.
I was born in a quiet corner of a Gaeltacht on the Dingle Peninsula. Over the years, I’ve explored Ireland far and wide, from the wilds of West Clare to the shores of Sherkin. Particularly fond of heritage, history and hikes (and words beginning with ‘H’, apparently…).
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