Where to Stay for the 2027 Ryder Cup | Adare & Limerick Guide

Day Trips From Adare at a Glance

Attraction	Where	Approx. drive from Adare
Adare village and Desmond Castle	Adare, Co. Limerick	On foot
Curraghchase Forest Park	Kilcornan, Co. Limerick	~15 min
Limerick city (King John’s Castle)	Limerick	~20-25 min
Bunratty Castle & Folk Park	Co. Clare	~30 min
Lough Gur	Co. Limerick	~35-40 min
Foynes Flying Boat Museum	Foynes, Co. Limerick	~35-40 min
Ballybunion	Co. Kerry	~50 min
Cliffs of Moher	Co. Clare	~1 hr 30
Killarney & the Ring of Kerry	Co. Kerry	~1 hr 10 – 1 hr 30

Right on Your Doorstep: Adare Village

Before you go anywhere, spend time in Adare itself. Regularly called Ireland’s prettiest village, it’s a genuinely lovely place to wander, with its famous thatched cottages, medieval ruins and riverside walks all within a few minutes of each other.

Desmond Castle and the Heritage Centre

On the banks of the River Maigue sits Desmond Castle (also called Adare Castle), a 13th-century fortress that guarded the village for centuries. It’s usually seen on a guided tour that runs in the summer months (typically June to September) and departs from the Adare Heritage Centre, with a shuttle to the castle – so check current dates and book ahead if your visit is late in the season. The Heritage Centre on Main Street is a good first stop in any case, with free parking, a historical exhibition telling Adare’s story, craft shops and a café.

Three Medieval Friaries and the Town Park

For such a small place, Adare has an extraordinary concentration of medieval churches. The Augustinian Friary (Adare Friary), founded in 1315, is beautifully preserved and now a Church of Ireland church; the Franciscan Friary of the 1400s survives as atmospheric ruins within the grounds of Adare Manor Golf Club; and the Trinitarian Abbey beside the Heritage Centre is the only Trinitarian monastery in Ireland. Add in Adare Town Park and the gentle Riverbank Walk along the Maigue, and you’ve an easy, scenic half-day without ever getting in the car.

Adare Manor and the Courthouse Museum

Outside of Ryder Cup week you can book afternoon tea in Adare Manor’s magnificent Gallery, or try a falconry experience, archery or a walking tour on the estate – a lovely way to see one of the world’s finest hotels up close. During the tournament itself, resort access is limited to ticket holders and guests, so save it for another visit. Rounding out the village, the Adare Courthouse Museum, above Aunty Lena’s, tells the story of the Dunraven family who shaped the town.

A Day in Limerick City

Just 20-25 minutes away and well connected by rail, Limerick city is an easy and rewarding day out, with plenty to do whatever the weather.

King John’s Castle

The city’s standout attraction, King John’s Castle is a 13th-century Norman castle on King’s Island, its great curtain walls and towers rising over the River Shannon. Inside, an interactive visitor experience brings 800 years of siege and settlement to life, and the courtyard and battlements are a hit with children. It’s one of the best-preserved castles of its kind in Ireland and well worth a couple of hours.

Cathedrals, Museums and the Milk Market

Close by, St Mary’s Cathedral – founded in 1168 and one of the most complete medieval buildings still in use in Ireland – is worth a look, as is the excellent Hunt Museum, home to a remarkable collection of art and antiquities. For food lovers, the Milk Market is a must, especially at weekends, packed with local produce and artisan stalls. History buffs can also seek out the Treaty Stone across Thomond Bridge, and rugby fans will know Thomond Park, the famous home of Munster.

County Clare: Castles and Cliffs

Cross the county line into Clare and two of Ireland’s biggest draws are within reach – one a step back into medieval life, the other a natural wonder.

Bunratty Castle & Folk Park

About 30 minutes from Adare and close to Shannon Airport, Bunratty is a wonderful family day out. The 15th-century castle bills itself as one of the most complete and authentic medieval castles in Ireland, filled with rare period furnishings, while the surrounding Folk Park recreates 19th-century Irish life with thatched cottages, a village street, shops, pubs and farm animals. In the evenings, Bunratty is famous for its medieval banquets – book well in advance – and Durty Nelly’s, the celebrated old pub next door, is perfect for a pint afterwards.

The Cliffs of Moher and the Burren

For a bigger day out – around an hour and a half each way – the Cliffs of Moher are among Ireland’s most visited sights, rising more than 200 metres straight out of the Atlantic. Pair them with the Burren, the extraordinary limestone landscape of north Clare, and you’ve a full and memorable day. If you’d rather not drive, plenty of organised tours run from Limerick and Adare, which can be the most relaxed way to see the west coast.

The Shannon Estuary and the Birthplace of Irish Coffee

West of Adare, along the N69 beside the Shannon Estuary, is one of the area’s most charming and unexpected attractions.

Foynes Flying Boat & Maritime Museum

In the 1930s and 40s, the little town of Foynes was one of the great gateways between Europe and North America, as flying boats stopped here on the transatlantic route. The Foynes Flying Boat & Maritime Museum, in the original terminal building about 35-40 minutes from Adare, tells that story brilliantly – and is home to the only full-size replica of a Boeing 314 flying boat in the world. It’s also where, in 1943, a chef is said to have first created Irish coffee to warm cold passengers, and the on-site Irish Coffee Lounge keeps the tradition going. It’s a great rainy-day option and a genuine piece of aviation history.

Askeaton and Ballybunion

Continuing west, the historic town of Askeaton (about 20 minutes away) has its own riverside castle and Franciscan friary, while a little further on, over the Kerry border, Ballybunion is a classic seaside town on the Wild Atlantic Way, known for its beaches and world-famous golf links – a fine spot to blow away the cobwebs.

Ancient Sites and the Great Outdoors

If you’d like to get active or explore, the countryside around Adare is full of history, quiet beauty and things to do.

• Lough Gur (~35-40 min) – one of Ireland’s most important archaeological sites, home to the country’s largest stone circle and more than 6,000 years of history, with a visitor centre by the lake.
• Curraghchase Forest Park (~15 min) – 300-plus hectares of woodland, lakes and easy trails near Kilcornan, ideal for a family ramble.
• The Limerick Greenway – a flat, traffic-free cycling and walking trail through West Limerick from Rathkeale towards Abbeyfeale, with bike hire available locally.
• Clay pigeon shooting – test your aim under expert tuition at a local shooting school such as Rosemount in Adare, a fun and easygoing outing for groups and complete beginners alike.
• Horse riding – see the Irish countryside from the saddle at a family-run equestrian centre a short drive away, with lessons and treks to suit all levels.
• Knockfierna, the “Hill of the Fairies” – a bracing hill walk for those after a bit more of a challenge and big views over the county.

Adare Manor offers clay pigeon shooting on the estate and can arrange horse riding nearby too, though these are available outside of Ryder Cup week rather than during the tournament.

Planning Your Sightseeing Around Ryder Cup Week

A few practical things to keep in mind so your non-golf days run smoothly:

• Book ahead. Attractions, tours and especially Bunratty’s medieval banquets will be busy that week, so reserve in advance rather than turning up on spec.
• Think about transport. Match-day travel to the course runs on pre-booked Park & Ride shuttles and dedicated trains, but most of these day trips need a car or an organised tour – plan how you’ll get around on your free days.
• Base yourself well. Staying in or near Adare keeps you close to both the course and the best of the sightseeing. For the full rundown, see our guide to where to stay for the 2027 Ryder Cup, or tell us what you’re looking for and we’ll help you find it.
• Mix it up. A morning in Limerick city or Bunratty pairs nicely with an afternoon back in Adare’s shops and pubs – you don’t have to travel far to have a brilliant day.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is there to do around Adare besides the Ryder Cup?

Plenty. Within an hour of Adare you can explore the village’s own castle and medieval friaries, King John’s Castle in Limerick, Bunratty Castle & Folk Park in Clare, the Foynes Flying Boat Museum, Lough Gur’s ancient stone circle, and, a little further, the Cliffs of Moher and the Ring of Kerry.

What are the best things to do in Adare village itself?

Wander the thatched Main Street, visit Desmond Castle (summer guided tours from the Heritage Centre), see the three medieval friaries, and stroll the Town Park and Riverbank Walk. Outside Ryder Cup week you can also book afternoon tea at Adare Manor.

Where was Irish coffee invented?

Irish coffee is widely credited to Foynes, County Limerick, where it’s said to have been first made in 1943 for transatlantic flying-boat passengers. You can hear the full story – and have one – at the Foynes Flying Boat & Maritime Museum, about 35-40 minutes from Adare.

How far is Bunratty Castle and the Cliffs of Moher from Adare?

Bunratty Castle & Folk Park is about 30 minutes from Adare, near Shannon. The Cliffs of Moher are further west in County Clare, roughly an hour and a half each way, and are often combined with the Burren for a full day.

Can you visit Adare Manor during the Ryder Cup?

During the tournament, Adare Manor is the venue and access is limited to ticket holders and resort guests. If you’d like to see the estate – for afternoon tea, a walking tour or a falconry experience – plan a visit outside of Ryder Cup week.

What is there to do in Limerick city?

Limerick is about 20-25 minutes away and packs in King John’s Castle, St Mary’s Cathedral, the Hunt Museum and the Milk Market, along with the Treaty Stone and Thomond Park. It’s a great rainy-day or half-day option with plenty of restaurants too.

Do I need a car to see the sights during Ryder Cup week?

For the golf, you’ll use the official Park & Ride shuttles or dedicated trains. For day trips to castles, cliffs and museums, a car or an organised tour is usually the easiest way, as public transport to these sites is limited. Plan your free days around how you’ll travel.

What’s a good non-golf day out for the family?

Bunratty Castle & Folk Park is hard to beat for families, with the castle, recreated village and animals. King John’s Castle in Limerick and Curraghchase Forest Park are also excellent, and Adare’s own castle and parks are right on the doorstep.

John Giltinane & Associates · Main Street, Adare, Co. Limerick, V94 W9Y7 · Phone 061 605046 · info@adareproperties.com

John Giltinane & Associates (Adare Properties) is an independent, PSRA-licensed auctioneer (Licence No. 001474) and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or an official provider for any of the attractions mentioned, or for Ryder Cup Europe LLP or Adare Manor. Opening times, tours and prices change and some sites are seasonal, so please check directly with each attraction and book ahead. Drive times are approximate and will vary on event days. This guide is general information, not professional advice.