NEED TO KNOW GOOD MANORS 11 centuries later, they staged a decor comeback 12 within the neo-Gothic architecture of THIS HOTEL IS the 19th century. A GREAT You can find The majority of the manor’s creatures DATE, TOO were introduced beginning in 1832 by fantastic the original owners, the second Earl of Dunraven and his wife, Countess Caroline— beasts here an eccentric couple who admired the romantic elements of the Middle Ages that A team of craftspeople has brought influenced Gothic Revival architecture. the mythical creatures of Ireland’s Adare Manor marketing manager Sarah Adare Manor back to life Ormston says the work of dozens of stone masons, cutters and sculptors has “protected IMPOSING GRIFFINS, HALF-HUMAN SEA this intricate stonework for the next 100 Adare Manor’s grotesques serpents, grimacing gargoyles and ravens years” and their cleaning has brought back aren’t its only unique bearing family crests are among the wild the original gray and pink tones in the stone. architectural detail. The creations that have been lovingly revived at During the restoration, the hotel staff hotel is one of the few remaining examples of Adare Manor in County Limerick, Ireland. discovered several characters hiding the “calendar house” style. The 19th-century estate is reopening this throughout the 840-acre estate. “We enjoyed The manor takes inspiration month after a multi-million euro makeover, finding them tucked away in unique spaces, from the number of days, which included restoring over 200 of the like the corner of a bookcase,” says Ormston. weeks or months with stately manor hotel’s so-called “grotesques,” Her personal favorite? A small carving of a 365 windows, 52 chimneys and seven pillars in the which adorn the limestone walls, overhangs, cute little couple doing a jig. “I like to think Great Hall. The manor’s windows and other nooks and crannies. they’ve been dancing together for over a four turreted towers Imposing statues like this were originally hundred years and are still having a great represent spring, summer, Medieval decorative embellishments; time.” —GIGI RAGLAND fall and winter. MANOR OF ADARE COURTESY PHOTOS: 28 – AMERICAN WAY 028_NTKGargoyles.indd 28 11/10/2017 10:14.