presented by kenmare.com May 2015 / Issue 06 The GUIDE Kenmare 2015 Plan Your Entire Visit With business listings covering the whole Kenmare Bay Where to Stay Where to Eat What to Do Hotels, Guesthouses, Self- All the best spots to enjoy Adventures abound when Catering Rentals & B&Bs our food-lover’s paradise you use Kenmare as a base The Kenmare GUIDE PUBLISHED BY Kenmare Creative [email protected] EDITOR Evan Payne [email protected] RESEARCH Jane Safi eva [email protected] PHOTOS & DESIGN Evan Payne WEBSITE http://kenmare.com Welcome to Kenmare, Co Kerry, Ireland EDITOR’S NOTE Welcome to the sixth year of the The greater Kenmare area, Kenmare Guide. This year we’ve ex- around the Kenmare Bay, is the panded our listings to cover even perfect base for your exploration more of the local businesses in and of the southwest of Ireland. around our town, and we’ve added a Kenmare (also known by its Irish name of few new maps and articles to show- Neidin) is a colorful heritage town that lays case all the area has to offer. on two noted Irish scenic routes, the Ring of We’ve worked hard to fi nd inter- Kerry and the Ring of Beara. esting articles to expose readers to But its so much more than that. Kenmare new places and stories, and to en- is the sum of the people who live and work courage locals to branch out and ex- here, and nowhere in the world will you fi nd plore. Thank you for the chance to as diverse and friendly a population. share our love of Kenmare! This guide should give you an overview and a brief introduction to the wonderful place Evan Payne we call home, so you can plan your trip, fi nd Evan Payne, Editor your way, and enjoy your stay in the Kenmare April, 2015 area. 2 The Kenmare GUIDE 3 About Kenmare Need a Map? Where Where Get a feel for the town and discover all there We have a nice pullout map in the center of To To is to enjoy throught the year. 8 the guide, covering the Kenmare Bay. 32 Eat Shop Around Where 35 Eat, Drink & Be Merry 42 Clothes, Books & More Town To Stay 35 Kenmare Food Town 42 Freshly Kenmare Some call this the food capitol of A mainstay of shopping in town is Ireland, and not without reason. the Market with lots of local goods. 36 Cafés & Bakeries 44 Shopping Tasty treats, tea or coffee Kenmare town is full of high quality 38 Restaurants & Pubs shops, with unique products and The best food, & awards to prove it. styles to suit any budget. 6 Information and More 18 Accommodation & Rest What Life To in Do Kenmare 6 Map - Kenmare Town 18 Hotels & Guesthouses A map to guide you through town. Kenmare has some of the best hotels 8 About Kenmare in Ireland, unique and welcoming. All about our Heritage town and what 20 Self-Catering Holiday Homes you should see while you’re here. When you want the place all to Activites & Attractions Living Locally 12 Wild Atlantic Way yourself, these houses will fi t the bill. 46 58 The Kenmare Bay: Take your time 25 Bed & Breakfasts while exploring, there’s a lot to see. Ireland is famed for its hospitality, and 46 The Ring of Beara 58 Local Services 14 Photo Gallery the B&B is the best way to see that. Discover the wildest part of Ireland. Serving the day to day affairs A few select photos. 30 Hostels & Camping 50 Map - Ring of Beara 62 Telephone Guide 30 Map - Kenmare Bay Simple is good, and these hostels & 52 Attractions A quick reference of important A Map covering the greater Kenmare campsites have you covered for a There really is something for numbers and places. Area. night’s rest. everyone, from art to adventures. 63 Kids Corner 4 The Kenmare GUIDE 5 Hospital Road Killarney Road The layout of Kenmare was Kenmare designed by the original landown- Town Map ers of the whole area, and makes for KENMARE a comfortable town centre. A walk SHOPPING CENTRE around the streets can take you 10 minutes, or a few hours, depending on how many shops and restaurants you’re enticed into along the way. Railway Road Sneem Road HOLY CROSS CHURCH PUBLIC RESTROOMS Bridge Street TOURIST t OFFICE TOWN Killowen Road (to Cork) GREEN The Square ANCIENT STONE CIRCLE Market Street Rock Street Main Street ST. PATRICK’S CARNEGIE CHURCH REENAGROSS COMMUNITY PARK & TRAILS New Road THEATRE Henry Street Henry POLICE/ GARDAI ADULT EDUCATION CENTRE Shelbourne Street POST t o OFFICE G l e n g a r Pier Road r i f / C a KENMARE s t l e PIER t o w n b e r e 6 The Kenmare GUIDE 7 Kenmare Town Among the peaks of Ireland’s highest mountains, where the rivers and streams empty into a bay off the Atlantic, is the town of Kenmare. Here you’ll fi nd all sorts of peo- ple, bustling about their business in the streets of the market town. The place is a delightful mixture of con- The award-winning town Kenmare has preserved Circle is a reminder that the trasts: Ancient monuments alongside much of its original area has been settled for modern hotels, forested shorelines alongside identity, and grown to many years more than that. vaulted mountains, farmers and shop keeps offer visitors an au- Recently, Kenmare has put alongside musicians and artists. thentic fl avor of Irish an emphasis on itself as a Its an often used phrase, but one especially culture, cuisine, music, cultural centre, with Food, true for Kenmare, that one day is simply not shopping, scenery and Music and Art Festivals enough time to experience everything on leisure. throughout the year. This offer. Here are just a few activities to whet was laid out in 1670, by Walking through town, you means that any time is a your appetite: British scientist Sir William can still see buildings from good time to visit Kenmare. Kenmare Lace & Design Centre Petty. Throughout the years centuries ago, and the Stone In 1864 the Poor Clare nuns in Kenmare set up a lace production centre, which is still going strong today. Reenagross Park Often called Kenmare’s best kept secret, this park has 3.2 km of walkways through woods and along the coast of the Bay. Golfi ng Breathtaking views and excellent facilities will be found at any golf course you visit. See our listings on page 48. 8 The Kenmare GUIDE 9 The Rings of Kerry & Beara Take your pick, or choose both, there’s lots to explore. » Irish weather is fi ckle, but the clouds that roll across the sky shouldn’t stop you from having a great day. There’s a saying about Ireland that goes, “If you don’t like the weather, just wait.” The Stone Circle sons and excursions. tate is full of exotic vegeta- Within the town is an an- Sea Kayaking tion and walks to inspire. The span of water that route include Killarney, Ross Bay the tourist trail is about cient druid circle of stones, All manner of adventures Gleninchiquin is the Kenmare Bay sepa- Castle, Sneem, Derrynane 195km long. Check out our steeped in mystery. can be found out at Star This idyllic valley is per- rates two very different house, The Skellig Islands, detailed feature on page 46, Cycling Outdoors, kayaking included. fectly suited for day outings peninsulas. To the north is Killorglin, the Gap of Dunloe, where we walk through an A range of bicycles can be Sailing the Bay with the entire family, with the sprawling majesty of Rossbeigh beach, and lots average day tour of this not- found for hire right in town Daily eco-tours and seal walks and waterfalls. the Iveragh Peninsula, and of other spots. When tak- to-be-missed Peninsula. The at Finnegan’s Bicycle Hire. watching with Seafari. The Rings of Kerry & Beara to the south is the wilder- en with a good guide, Irish country is wild and the roads Swimming Bonane Heritage Park See more on page 11. ness of the Beara Penin- meals and music, the tour are winding, but the views For the brave, there’s the Ancient history that you can Guided Tours sula. Circling both of these becomes absolutely unfor- are spectacular. Bay, but for the rest of us, touch, set within the mag- There are a number of ser- landmasses are the driving gettable. Kenmare, The Jewel the Kenmare Bay Hotel has nifi cent Sheen Valley. vices available in Kenmare routes known as the Ring of The Ring of Beara Kenmare is often referred an excellent pool & spa. Go Back in Time to guide you through what’s Kerry and the Ring of Beara. The Ring Of Beara, to as the Jewel in the Ring, Fishing Molly Gallivan’s cottage and on offer. See more on page The Ring of Kerry though less well known and its up for debate wheth- Plan a small river fi shing traditional farm is a chance 53. The Ring of Kerry is a than the Ring Of Kerry, is no er that means Kerry or Beara. excursion or to get a private to visit an Irish farm exactly Art & Photo Galleries 179km tourist trail that in- less beautiful. If anything From town, you can pick ei- tour of Kenmare Bay, as it was over 200 years ago. There are many artists and troduces travelers to the the landscape it displays ther Ring, and set off for a Horse Riding Dereen Gardens photographers in the area, natural beauty of one of is more wild and unruly in day’s exploration, be back in There are excellent stables Located at Lauragh is this and the galleries refl ect the Ireland’s most picturesque its nature.