Translating from Irish as “Little Nest”, Kenmare overlooks a picturesque bay on the south-west coast of County Kerry. The area was granted to Sir William Petty by Oliver Cromwell after he mapped Ireland in 1656. Kenmare’s location on the Ring of Kerry driving route makes it a popular tourist spot, with traditional pubs and restaurants clustering in its town centre.
Things to do in Kenmare
One of Kenmare’s most important landmarks is Cromwell’s Bridge, which was built in the 17th century by the English across a small stream. With its unusually high arch, it is somewhat of a curiosity and too fragile to be crossed but has a fairytale-like charm due to its enveloping vegetation.
On the western outskirts of town is the Kenmare Stone Circle, an elliptical-shaped circle comprised of 14 boulders and a one-metre-tall stone slab. It is one of the largest stone circles in Ireland’s south-west and is believed to have been built during the Bronze Age for ceremonial purposes.
From Kenmare, you can explore the 179-kilometre-long driving route known as the Ring of Kerry, which takes in Killarney National Park, the Gap of Dunloe and Rossbeigh Beach. Stop to see the 300-year-old Kerry Woollen Mills, admire the ruins of Ballymalis Castle and photograph the 20-metre-high Torc Waterfall. If you prefer to explore on foot, you can discover the area’s natural and cultural wonders on the long-distance Kerry Way.
Getting around Kenmare
Kenmare is around 40 minutes’ drive from Killarney and 1.5 hours from Cork. Cork Airport is also 1.5 hours away and has flights to destinations across Europe. Regular buses connect to Kenmare and the town is small enough to explore on foot. Renting a car is the most convenient way of exploring the Ring of Kerry.