Adare Manor has operated as a 5-star hotel since 1988. Europe’s leading castle hotel has recently gone through one of the most revolutionary transformations. The 21 month renovation is the first of its kind in Ireland. We sit down with Gillian Griffin, Director of Leisure Sales, to hear about the inventive improvements and gain more insight into what the future holds for Adare Manor.

First thing we need to ask, could you tell us more about the recent Adare Manor Refurbishment?

It is truly incredible, you have to see it to believe it! We reopened in November 2017 after an extensive 2 year refurbishment, renovation and expansion program where literally no stone was left unturned. We had up to 900 construction workers on the property at any given time to ensure the project was completed on time! Over the 2 years we added a new wing of bedrooms and now have 104 in the castle, a complete refurbishment of the existing house dating back to 1832, addition of an exquisite Grand Ballroom that can cater up to 300 guests for events and a complete rebuild of our Golf Clubhouse. We also redesigned our 18 Hole Golf Course by world-renowned golf course designer Tom Fazio and it will be home to the 2027 Ryder Cup.

What does your day-to-day look like?

Honestly no 2 days are ever the same which is the part I love. Some days you are traveling the world selling one of the most beautiful hotels in the world, the next day you are on property spending time with clients showing them first hand everything the resort has to offer and then other days catching up in the office on the admin side of things, strategizing on the different markets for the year ahead. I have been with the hotel now for 20 years and honestly it only feels like it has been a year! Time flies when you are having fun!

From a personal perspective, what are your favourite aspects of the so-called new  Adare Manor?

Oh tough question!! There are so many but I will just highlight a few as I could go on! Both the castle, set on 840 acres of pristine parkland and the surrounding grounds are honestly pure perfection. The new Padel Club which launched last year is amazing. Described as “a mix of tennis and squash”, Padel is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world. I had never played Padel before but it is such a fun game, perfect for the entire family no matter the age.

I also adore the wine cellar. It is such a magical space for a Michelin dining experience or just simply canapes and a wine pairing prepared by our Resort Sommeliers. Accessed by a discreet passage door hidden in the scullery kitchen, you enter the original cellars at Adare Manor through the back of house which makes it very experiential!

The Golf Course is honestly phenomenal. Each hole of the golf course at Adare Manor has a distinct character and strategic playability options for an exceptional golf experience for all levels from forward tee to back tee players – where any hole could be the signature hole. The course is magnificently maintained and cared for by a passionate team of greenkeepers. The condition of this course and its velvet-smooth Pure Distinction bentgrass greens are unrivaled. I keep teasing the greenkeepers into telling me the secret of how they make the golf course look so good!

Have you and the team started preparations for the 2027 Ryder Cup?

The preparations for the Ryder Cup started even before it was announced! When undertaking the comprehensive redesign of the course, Tom Fazio considered the design strategy and infrastructure commitments necessary to host premiere amateur and professional golf events. Construction included greens and bunkers, as well as significant underground installations for drainage, and wiring for tournament power, media and telecommunications.

We recently held the JP McManus Pro Am last month where we had the top 10 golfers of the world play and stay with us. We had 40,000 spectators attend each day of the event so it was an amazing trial run and it was a fantastic success for both the resort and the wider locality. With the success of the JP McManus Pro-Am, the countdown to The Ryder Cup 2027 is definitely on. We are honoured to be hosting the Centenary Ryder Cup and are so excited to showcase not only Adare Manor but also the Island of Ireland to the world again.

As an astute estate in Ireland, what does it take to motivate the team to keep such  impeccable standards?

We have a team of 600 team members and every day we all constantly strive to go ‘Beyond Everything’ and exceed our guests’ expectations. There are daily and in some departments, twice daily meetings to keep lines of communication open, share feedback, constantly reviewing the different standards in each area and to encourage and reward our teams on a job well done.

What do you believe goes into the creation of a successful experience for a guest  at Adare Manor?

We are very fortunate to have an incredible product that was completely refurbishment and renovated in November 2017 and is constantly being updated so that helps significantly. There is something about the Irish people, if you have been to Ireland and experienced Irish hospitality you will know. We have a very sincere, inquisitive nature, always looking to please and go above and beyond. Passion for your job definitely helps and it’s not hard when you drive into the 840-acre estate every day and see such perfection.

Could you tell us more about your journey to being at Adare Manor?

I joined the Reservations team in Adare Manor, after college in the Summer of 2002. I am still here 20 years later! I always knew I wanted to work in Sales as I always loved selling - even as a child! Anything I could find I would sell, nothing was safe! Then imagine selling the most beautiful hotel in the world, what tops that?

Other than the famous Ryder Cup, what does the future hold for Adare Manor?

It is onwards and upwards for Adare Manor. We are very fortunate that our Irish owners, the McManus family are consistently investing in the property. We recently launched our new activity center, The Padel Club. The Padel Club takes its name from our two custom-built indoor padel courts. They are the first of their kind in Ireland, ready to welcome players of all levels, from first-timers to seasoned pros.

Another exciting feature of the club is our cutting-edge Sports Simulation Room, where guests can take technical golf lessons, get in some putting practice or virtually try their hand at a host of sports such as baseball, hockey, soccer and footgolf. The Padel Club’s world-class facilities continue with our 17-meter swimming pool with sauna and steam room as well as our full gym and a contemplative studio.

Watch this space as there is so much more to reveal regarding the future of our resort. However, we love to create a bit of anticipation so keep an eye on our social feeds!

To read more about the magnificent Adare Manor, head to the latest LUXE Travel Magazine HERE