Adare Manor, Co Limerick, Ireland

Ask anyone to fashion the course of their dreams, his or her own private golfing paradise, and they'll return a grand design incorporating the best features of what they've seen or been lucky enough to play.

But while the canvas for the purists would be an exposed stretch of linksland and the jet-set might select a tropical island paradise, I'll opt for an expanse of mature parkland complete with meandering river and ancient castle.

While Ireland is traditionally famed for its rugged links layouts, the tide is slowing turning inland towards the sheer quantity of quality parkland options.

Of these, surely none has greater credentials than Adare Manor Hotel & Golf Resort with its parkland, river and dramatic manor house to lead the Emerald Isle's glittering charge into the 21st Century.

Before passing through the brooding gates that signify the start of the Adare Manor experience, you know there's something unquantifiably special about the place.

The 13th Century village of Adare skirts the walls of the estate and draws in flocks of tourists with its picture-postcard looks and genial Irish charm.

Rows of thatched cottages, the influence of medieval monasteries and a handful of archeological ruins have transformed the sleepy village into one of the must-see attractions.

Guidebooks reveal that the Gaelic meaning of Adare translates as 'ford of the oak', and it's this marriage of water and woodland which forms the very essence of Adare Manor.

From the historic manor house which sits on the banks of the Maigue River to the Robert Trent Jones Sr course, wherever you are on the estate, the sound of trickling water and birds chirping in the trees are a constant acoustic companion.

Everything about the manor house oozes class and tradition from the impeccably dressed porter to the courteous reception staff.

But what makes the 63-room hotel stand out from what is a crowded market in Ireland, are the surroundings.rnrnAn architectural masterpiece of towers, turrets and stonework just doesn't do it justice, while the spacious guestrooms are what dreams are made of.

Lavishly furnished, supremely comfortable and immaculately presented. No expense has been spared and it shows.

The manor house is opulence, it's quintessential Irish charm, it's jaw-droppingly elegant from the eccentricities of Minstel's Gallery to the lettered text which adorns the gothic-style south facing parapet.

It's somewhat strange then that the highest compliment one can pay to the place is the view from one of manor house's 365 windows.rnrnIt's from here that the true beauty of Adare Manor can be seen - the golf course.

Trent Jones Snr has carved some of America's modern-day masterpieces out of idyllic landscape, but even the veteran designer must have had to pinch himself after making his first visit to Adare.

With over 800 acres of thick woodland at his disposal plus the meandering Maigue River, it's no surprise that the 18-hole Adare Golf Club layout is no pushover.rnrnIt's a 21st Century test for the 21st Century golfer.

Only five holes on the 6,500-yard layout off the whites escape the influence of the wet stuff so take plenty of balls and plenty of bottle. You'll need both in abundance.

From the tricky dogleg 1st where the gently sloping green is guarded by a meandering burn, the layout lurches towards a natural lake which characterises the reminder of the front nine.

Firm, fast fairways scythe through corridors of ancient oak trees as the holes border the 13-acre water hazard which can be deadly when the wind whips up.

The 5th doglegs round the perimeter of the lake while the downhill par three 6th is bordered by water on three sides of a long, narrow green.

The first par five at the 7th though, is as tough as they come. Take on the water and attempt to cut the sweeping dogleg to the right or play conservatively off the tee and struggle to reach the green (which juts out into the water) in three.

It's typical of the questions asked all the way around.

After the turn the course changes slightly in character and giant oak trees tower above tight fairways and colourful flora.