KENMARE by the sea, nestles among the mountains of Cork and Kerry, hence its IRISH Name "NEIDIN" meaning "Little Nest" or "Little Craddle". The charming picturesque town of KENMARE is a good example of one of Ireland's planned towns. It was founded in 1670 by Sir William Petty. His descendent William Petty-Fitzmaurice, 2nd. Earl of Shelbourne and 1st. Marquis of Lansdowne, commissioned the present design of the town which was completed in 1775.

For more historical information about Kenmare click here

Chosen by The Irish Tourist Board, KENMARE is the first Heritage town in County Kerry. The KENMARE Heritage Centre is located in the Courthouse where modern interpretative techniques are being used to recall KENMARE's history.

KENMARE has long been acknowledged as a haven for gourmets, epicureans and people who enjoy good food. Its location on the edge of the sea provides KENMARE with seafood that is quite simply the best. 

There is a range of restaurants to suit all your tastes (and your pocket!), whether you prefer to relax and enjoy fine dining. rated as some of the most artful in Ireland (New York Times) or sit in a local pub and feast on wild mussels fresh from the cleanest waters in Europe - KENMARE is the place to be.

There is a wide range of registered and approved accommodation available. This includes nine Hotels (two five star), Guesthouses, Farmhouses, Town and Country Homes. In addition, there are Self Catering Homes and Apartments available for rent. Other accommodation includes Youth Hostels, Hostels, Caravan and Camping Parks.

Craft people, both native and foreign, have found the KENMARE area inspirational to their work. Designed and produced locally are KENMARE Lace, Knitwear, Jewelry, Pottery, Wooden Crafts. Needlework, Weaving, Musical Instruments. Paintings and Smoked Salmon.

Places of Interest

THE PIER.

Said to be the first pier in Kerry. A centre of boating and swimming and it offers a fine view of the Kenmare River Estuary.

CROMWELL'S BRIDGE.

Oliver Cromwell was never near Kenmare, although his armies conquered the O’Sullivan Beare holdings to the east. This particular arch-shaped stone structure was used by Franciscan Monks at a nearby monastery to get water from a spring on the far side. This source is known as Our Lady’s Well and remain a centre of local devotion every August, 15th, the Feast of the Assumption.

The Bridge is to the North of the town, off the Killarney Road, past the Creamery (Kerry Co-Op)

OLD KENMARE CEMETERY

In the 250 year old cemetery are the ruins of the Church of St. Finian, and nearby is a water well used by some of the devout for eye ailments and to remove warts. Also in the cemetery is a monument in memory of the estimated 5.000(!) people of the Kenmare area who died during the Great Famine. The cemetery is reached from Kenmare I Bantry road; turn left at the Riversdale House Hotel Total distance ca 2 mls

STONE CIRCLES.

Thousands of years ago people spoke in stone. Great circles of huge stone like Stonehenge and the marvellously decorative and evocative passage-grave at Newgrange spoke volumes to the peoples of those times. Today we look a wonder, because these silent relics of pre-historic human activity do not answer all the questions they raise in our minds. Here in the South West of Ireland there are many stone circles. They stand in ungarnished simplicity and they leave us wondering.

The typical stone circle consists of a ring of stones with a recumbent stone. Frequently such a stone occupies the centre of the enclosure. There are many variations - the size of the stones used, the plan of the enclosure and the resence of associated monument outliers. They are seldom found below the 500-foot contours.

The stone circle in Kenmare, like others of its kind, is over 3,000 years old. It consists of 15 stones arranged in a circle, the diameter of which is 55 feet. This monument may simply be a pre-historic burial place, with a circle of stones girdling a bolder dolmen. A monument of this kind would only be erected to a particularly important person. It may subsequently have been a place for periodic ritual assemblies, where those gathered would express some aspect of their understanding of death. Many of these stone circles are very precisely orientated in relation to the sun. As such they are capable of being used as primitive but accurate calendars - this would be very useful for agricultural purposes. Perhaps there was some form of ritual sun worship associated with these mute sentinels of the past.

The Kenmare Circle known locally as the "Druids Circle" is situated beyond the end of Market Street.

ACTIVITIES

We have listed some of the activities you will find in and around Kenmare, for more and specific information go to Leisure

CYCLING

There is a large variety of cycling routes around KENMARE. All afford good views and an opportunity to relish the countryside at one's own pace - Bicycles may be hired locally.

FESTIVALS

Walking Festivals Easter and June, Pattern Day, Fair Days.

FISHING

For the Fisherman who wants to leave the hustle and bustle of city life, fishing in KENMARE with its peaceful atmosphere is a dream to every fisherman. All types of fishing are available, Salmon, Trout, Sea Trout, Shore Fishing and Deep Sea Angling. The KENMARE River Estuary also offers the Angler the possibility of seeing Grey Seals, Porpoises, Sea Otters, Cormorants, Gannets and Gulls of great variety.

GOLF

Golf devotees share a common enjoyment - the challenge of the new. In KENMARE you can enjoy the Woodland and undulating landscape of KENMARE's 18 Hole Golf Course, and tackle a different Course each day of your holidays in the numerous Golf Courses within easy reach of KENMARE including Two Championship Courses in Killarney 32Km. and one in Waterville 64Km.

HORSE RIDING & PONY TREKKING

KENMARE offers one of the best environments in Europe for the equestrian lover. With first class Horse and Ponies available at local stables, there is an opportunity to explore the mountains and beaches of this scenic area

PITCH & PUTT

For the leisurely, KENMARE has a 9 hole Pitch & Putt course within walking distance from the town centre.

WALKING

Within easy reach of KENMARE are the uncrowded hills and mountains of Cork and Kerry. To the north lies The MacGillycuddy Reeks, Ireland's highest peak "Carrantuohill" (1013 metres), also there are seven other Munros (Mountains over 1000 metres) and forty peaks over 600 metres. To the south of KENMARE are the gentle Cahas covered with a rich layer of Blanket Bog which stretch from Gougane Barra to the Atlantic Ocean.

For the moderate walker there are many traditional arid marked walking routes. Prime among these is the Kerry Way, the Republic's longest walkway with a marked trail. Maps and accurate route descriptions are available locally. Organised guided walks operate on a regular basis.

WATERSPORTS