"Kenmare" Top 5 Page for this destination Kenmare by Dabs

Kenmare Travel Guide: 32 reviews and 92 photos

Common seal near Garnish Island - Kenmare

Kenmare is a picture perfect touristy town where we stayed after driving around the Ring of Kerry and before driving around the Beara Peninsula. It's an ideal place to stay if you are planning on doing one or both of those drives although a little on the expensive side due to so many people having the Ring of Kerry on their Irish itinerary.

Ilancullin

From Kenmare, we headed to Glengarriff, about 13 miles south, to see Ilnacullin, the fabulous botanic garden on Garnish Island. We did this right when the ferry started running and had the island all to ourselves with the exception of one other couple.

Healy Pass

After Glengarriff, we drove on towards Adrigole where we followed the signs for Healy Pass, a twisty nausea inducing road with a "thank God we survived that" statue of the Virgin Mary at the top, the only thing crazier than driving it is riding up it on your bicycle, my muscles groaned just looking at the two men we saw doing that. After descending, we followed the Ring of Beara signs and drove this insanely narrow loop between Ardgroom and Eyeries where I was dismayed to find no open restaurants but at least they were thoughtful enough to have public toilets otherwise I'd have been flashing some sheep.

From Eyeries, we continued following the signs for the Ring of Beara, I think by this time we were getting a bit tired of being in the car and we didn't make a stop except to get gas and a disturbingly unhealthly lunch of potato chips and soda in Glengarriff before driving to our destination for the evening, Blarney.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Nice selection of B&Bs, restaurants and shops
Cons:Expensive, may be hard to find lodging in high season

Last visit to Kenmare: Jul 2009
Intro Updated Oct 4, 2009
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Reviews (8)

Beara Peninsula-Healy Pass Things to Do (3)

I thought one of the most interesting parts of driving around the Beara Peninsula was the Healy Pass (R574) which... more travel advice

Driving the Beara Peninsula Transportation (3)

The Beara Peninsula is much less traveled than the Ring of Kerry so we really didn't worry much about which way we were... more travel advice

Ferries to Garnish Island Transportation (3)

We saw the sign for Blue Pool Ferry first so that's the one we used, it was 10€ per person round trip out to the island.... more travel advice

Ilnacullin, Garnish Island Things to Do (3)

Our 1st stop after leaving Kenmare was Glengarriff, 13 miles south of Kenmare, to visit Ilnacullin on Garnish Island. In... more travel advice

Restaurants (1)
Irish fare

Hotels (1)
Comfortable B&B in town

Travelogues (1)

Written Aug 22, 2009

8 photos

Ilnacullin

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Comments (4)

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HORSCHECK Jan 4, 2012 at 1:33 PM

Kristi, lovely little page about this popular region in Ireland. I only once explored the Ring of Kerry, so the Beara Peninsula is still on my muist visit list. - Happy new year 2012.
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balhannah Nov 25, 2009 at 12:43 PM

What a lovely area for doing a road trip. So pretty! Good tips and nice photos, thanks, have enjoyed my tour, would love to go one day!
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Nemorino Aug 26, 2009 at 9:19 AM

Where you wrote Garnish Island I read Garish Island, and wondered what was so garish about it. But then realized my mistake. It actually looks fine, as does the entire area.
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deecat Aug 13, 2009 at 4:06 AM

The Band B sounds great, especially the breakfast; on the other hand, your other meal in town sounds far less appealing!