Hello, I am going to Ireland in December 2025. The thatched roof cottages caught my eye - but several videos make it look like there are just a few and the rest of the town is more modern. Is it similar to Kinsale and / or Cobh? Is it walkable? I have been to Ireland 10 years ago and am going back now to see the things I missed. Thanks in advance!
Posted by
Salt Lake City
3194 posts
It's a very pretty little heritage town with a number of thatched cottages and medeival buildings that make it a pleasant place to stroll around and enjoy ... but they're not wall-to-wall if that's your expectation.
There are a number of cute little restaurants , tea rooms, and cafes on the main street that are all quite nice - you'll be spoiled for choice in that regard.
All that said, I personally wouldn't drive out of my way just to visit the town, but if it's only a short detour along an already planned route then yes, it is, worth a stop.
Posted by
Ithaca, NY, USA
890 posts
When we were there in May there was a lot of construction and roadwork underway which definitely detracted from the charm. I didn’t find it nearly as appealing as other places we visited. There’s nothing wrong with it, but also not worth going out of your way to visit IMO
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
563 posts
We've been to/through Adare a number of times over the last 20 years and it has changed a lot. Obviously time of year affects the experience (better or worse weather, larger or smaller crowds), but I believe there has been a steady increase in traffic through the town - like many Ireland towns there is one main road which passes through the center of town.
A really disappointing change between our first time there (2006) and our most recent (2024) is that Adare Manor is no longer open to the public. On our first trip we were able to drive in and park, meander around the grounds a bit, and go into a restaurant for lunch. No can do anymore.
As another poster mentioned, Adare is not filled wall to wall with thatched roof cottages. There is a set of such cottages along the main road which are owned by a conservation group. Thatched roofs are a hassle for ordinary mortals to care (and pay) for so over time they have largely disappeared from the Irish landscape.
A surprise find was the park that extends along the river that runs through town (more of a creek really). There is a plaque at the bridge crossing (over the River Maigue I believe) that identifies that particular site as the location where women would wash their laundry. And only women, of course, but I digress...
So as another poster said, worth a stop/visit if you're in or passing through the area, but I wouldn't make it a destination in itself.