Kenmare
Two great drives meet here, the Ring of Kerry and the Ring of Beara, and the town itself earns the stop: good food on quiet streets. Kenmare stands at the head of Kenmare Bay.
Best sites to see in Kenmare
Kenmare Stone Circle
A Bronze Age stone circle a short walk from the town centre, set in landscaped grounds with a hawthorn fairy tree beside it.
Kenmare Bay and the pier
The town sits at the head of Kenmare Bay, with a pier, boat trips on the bay and walks along the shore.
Holy Cross Church
Kenmare's 19th-century Catholic church, known for its carved stonework and its place at the centre of the planned town.
Cromwell's Bridge
An old, steep single-arch stone bridge over the Finnihy River at the edge of the town; despite its name it is older than Cromwell's time.
Where to stand, and when
- Kenmare Stone Circle: Late afternoon light rakes across the stones and the surrounding mountains.
- Kenmare pier: Sunset over Kenmare Bay gives the best colour on the water and the hills beyond.
- Henry Street shopfronts: Photograph the town's colourful restaurant and shop fronts in the morning before it gets busy.
Kenmare through history
Kenmare was laid out as a planned town in the 1670s by Sir William Petty, who held the surrounding lands.
Kenmare lace, made by local women under the guidance of the Poor Clare nuns in the 19th century, became internationally known.
The town's Irish name, Neidin, means the little nest, describing its sheltered setting at the head of the bay.
Kenmare stands where the Ring of Kerry and Ring of Beara routes meet, at the head of Kenmare Bay.
Practical tips
- Kenmare makes a quieter base than Killarney for the Ring of Kerry; start the ring early to stay ahead of tour buses.
- The stone circle is a short signed walk from the market square and has a small entry charge at the gate.
- Allow extra time for the mountain roads of the Beara Peninsula and Healy Pass, which are narrow and winding.
What's on
No anchor festival is based here, but the Irish year is full: next up nationally is TradFest (20–24 Jan 2027, Temple Bar, Dublin). See the full events calendar