The Kingdom
Experience County Kerry’s gloriously moody landscapes, dramatic headlands, and crashing waves. The roar of the ocean will linger in your memory long after your visit. Discover charming towns and villages with brightly painted houses, traditional pubs, and colorful shopfronts. Travel the winding country roads and narrow mountain paths of this stunning county. Book a break to Kerry and you’ll soon understand why it’s called “The Kingdom.
Explore County Kerry’s vibrant culture and rich history. Wander bustling markets, sample local cuisine, and enjoy traditional music in cozy pubs. Visit iconic sites like the Ring of Kerry, Skellig Islands, and Dingle Peninsula for breathtaking views and unforgettable experiences. Embrace Kerry’s warm hospitality and unspoiled landscapes. Whether seeking adventure or tranquility, Kerry promises an enchanting getaway you’ll cherish forever.
Discover Kerry’s Hidden Gems
Things to do in Kenmare
Explore Kenmare's Charms and Activities
- Kenmare History and Heritage
- Chocolate making at Lorge Chocolatier
- Tours in Kenmare Town
- Outdoor Activities
- Where to Stay
History and Heritage in Kenmare
As one of Ireland’s first planned towns, Kenmare has history and heritage galore. From the early bronze age settlements all the way to the founding of the modern town of Kenmare and beyond, there is so much to discover… See our favourite sites to visit below.
Kenmare Stone Circle
Situated in the heart of Kenmare town, this monument from the Bronze Age is approximately 3000 years old. It should absolutely be on your list of things to see during your visit.
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Molly Galivans Cottage and Traditional Farm
Take a step back in time and experience what life was like 200 years ago at Molly Galivan's. Situated on the Beara Peninsula, a short drive from Kenmare Town.
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Bonane Heritage Park
Visit the Bonane Heritage Park (just a 15 minute drive from Kenmare) for a truly ancient and authentic insight into the ancient way of living in South West Ireland. Ideally combined with a visit to Lorge Chocolatier and to Molly Gallivan's, this will surely make your historical visit a day to remember in Kenmare.
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Kenmare Heritage Centre
Sharing a space with the tourist office in the centre of Kenmare this is a great place to visit for a free insight into the history and heritage of Kenmare town.
Chocolate making at Lorge Chocolatier
A short spin from Kenmare will give you the opportunity to visit the award winning Benoit Lorge for one of his renowned chocolate making courses. Learn how the famous treat is made, handle the ingredients yourself and even walk away with some chocolate of your own creation…
Lorge also has a chocolate shop in the heart of Kenmare, we highly recommend a visit!
Walking, Food and Brewery Tours of Kenmare
Kenmare Foodie Tour
Join TV chef and Kenmare local Karen Coakley on this journey of discovery through the culinary delights of Kenmare town. With plenty of tastings along the way you will have the chance to meet and chat with local suppliers, what better way to decide where to eat during your stay?
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Kenmare Walking Tour
Unlock the hidden history and local stories of Kenmare town on this 90 minute walking tour of the town centre. Click below for more details...
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Tom Crean Brewery Tour
A must when visiting Kenmare: discover the story of Tom Crean, the famous antarctic explorer from Kerry, on this guided tour in the company of his descendants. Sample their locally brewed beer and see the brewing process for yourself.
Read MoreOutdoor adventures
Kerry is famous for its natural and unspoilt beauty; from mountain lakes to rivers, ancient forests and the sea, The Kingdom has it all!
So grab your paddle, don your hiking boots or take charge of your Alpacca(!) and explore the great outdoors with the below recommendations around Kenmare:
Join one of our Kayak Tours
Of course we would love to see you on one of our kayak tours! Join us by day or by night and soak in the natural world on a guided tour of Kenmare Bay. Your experienced guide will unlock the world of marine biology, history, mythology and keep you dry while you do it!
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Alpaca Trecking
Take this unique opportunity to walk through the Kerry landscape with and Alpacca in tow! Meet Cappuccino, Fat Sean and their quirky colleagues on this wonderful guided experience. Your guide will explain how to handle the Alpacas as you trek through the forest, finishing up in a demonstration of how their wool is crafted into garments.
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Hike the waterfall at Gleninchaquin
Take a hike at Gleninchaquin park on the stunning Beara peninsula just a short drive from Kenmare. Take in the spectacular waterfall and, if you put in the effort to walk to the top you will be rewarded with panoramic views across the mountains and lakes all the way to the sea. With well marked trails and maps this is well worth the modest entry fee.
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Killarney National Park
Kenmare is an ideal place to base yourself for access to Killarney National Park. An incredibly scenic drive over the Molls Gap Road will bring you right to the famous lakes of the national park. With stunning views and many hiking trails you will be spoilt for choice for your outdoor adventure.
Where to Stay in Kenmare
Kenmare is an ideal place to base yourself for your exploration of the south west of Ireland. The town is situated by the sea on the Ring of Kerry and the Ring of Beara with easy access to Killarney National Park and West Cork.
In Kenmare we are fortunate to have lots of accommodation options available, from 5 star hotels to B&B’s there is something available for every budget and every type of traveller. With so many options to choose from we can’t list them all here but there is a good list available on the Kenmare.ie website.
