The Trinitarian Order founded its only monastery in Ireland here in 1230. The order had been set up in 1198 to ransom Christians held captive in Muslim lands, and the monks who came to Adare may have come from Scotland. After centuries as a ruin, the abbey was restored in 1811 by the first Earl of Dunraven and became the Catholic parish church, Holy Trinity.
It stands on Main Street right next to the Heritage Centre, so it's an easy first stop on a walk through the village.