Lila's Day 2
My stay in Dunraven Arms was like spending the night in a country estate. Before I left, I went next door for a quick tour of an old church and the Adare Heritage Center...great places for history of quaint Adare. We drove a short distance to Limerick City. While standing on one of three Limerick bridges, we looked out at the Shannon River, the longest river in Ireland. 
We walked along cobblestone streets to view the outside of King John's Castle , graveyards and medieval ruins on King's Island. At Hunt Museum, we were treated to a private one hour tour of over 2,000 original works of art donated by the Hunt family housed in Limerick's 18th century former Customs House.
Free time followed to explore busy streets and shops in Limerick City such as Penney's (not our J.C.'s) and Dunne's . I noticed a difference in high school girls' uniforms from the U.S. with their beautifully colored burgundy ankle length skirts and matching long sleeve sweaters .
Brulee's Restaurant, a converted Georgian townhouse, with views looking out at the Shannon River in Limerick, was our treat for a delicious gourmet lunch of fresh breads, pureed soups, unique salads and tasty main dishes followed by a variety of desserts and tea.
Next stop an hour's drive southwest was to Foynes to tour the Foynes Flying Boat Museum. From 1939 to 1945, Foynes was the center of the aviation world and known as the city where transatlantic flying boats landed that carried refugees and celebrities. We boarded the only full scale B314 flying boat model in the world that had a honeymoon suite , dining and sleeping areas and an upstairs level. 
In 1945, Captain Charlie Blair flew the last American flying boat from Foynes back to New York. Captain Blair was the husband of actress, Maureen O'Hara. She has donated much of today's museum collection and still frequents Foynes. The museum hosts an Irish Coffee bar to taste the drink made famous by Chef Joe Sheridan of Foynes in 1942 with ingredients of coffee, whisky, sugar and heavy cream.
From Foynes , we headed southeast through Co.Kerry to Listowel, known for golfing, fishing, and horse racing and through Tralee, known for the August "Rose of Tralee International Festival" when a woman is chosen that best matches the attributes of the song "The Rose of Tralee that of being "lovely and fair".
As we drove 1 1/2 hours from Limerick to Aghadoe, we passed green fields of cows and sheep , saw multiple country cottages, farmhouses and manor homes. Our second night's lodging was at one of Ireland's most luxurious 5 star properties , Aghadoe Heights Hotel and Spa ( "g" is silent). Note: "Five Star" is the highest hotel rating in Ireland. Aghadoe Heights is perched on a hillside in the Killarney region overlooking Lough (pronounced "loch" for lake) Leane. Staying at the Aghadoe was "pinch myself" time with my luxury lakeview suite with floor to ceiling glass walls overlooking the lake of small islands and nearby castle ruins. The decor of Aghadoe Heights flowed evenly throughout with rich woods, scented candles, soft lighting, finely crafted furniture and a fresh new appearance in contempory decor.
After check-in, we were treated to a massage at The Spa at the Heights. This is one of the most beautiful spas I have experienced. From the fresh juices and fruits, to relaxing on a stone tiled heated bed in a lakeview room of glass walls, to my aromatic lavendar facial massage followed by lying down in a dark quiet room of beds with heated blankets and side tables of healthy snacks, it was easy to don a headset of soothing music and float away. I had to drag myself away for the next event...mind over desire! We ended our night with fine dining in the Lake Room Restaurant known for seasonal menus of fresh Irish produce and meats and a spectacular lake view! After dinner, a few agents toured the 3,000 foot rooftop penthouse with 360 degree lakeviews..worth all costs! I ended the evening settling in with news updates on one of my two flat screens and enjoyed my sparkling water as many properties include "sparkling water" and "still water" in their rooms.
Breakfast in the Lake Room Restaurant which like most restaurants in Ireland resorts offered great variety with self-serve choices of fruits, cereals, breads, sliced meats and cheese, toasts and main dishes ordered off the menu such as an Irish breakfast of eggs, grilled tomatoes, sausages and roasted potatoes.