Top 16 Things To Do In Kenmare, Ireland

1. Have an afternoon tea at Park Hotel Kenmare

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Park Hotel Kenmare is a 5-star accommodation that provides a fantastic spot to enjoy afternoon tea and take a break from all the sightseeing in Kenmare. Guests have the option of taking their tea in The Terrace or Outdoor Terrace, both overlooking the lovely gardens of the hotel.

The hotel also offers a wide array of sweet treats, such as red velvet cake and glazed chocolate mousse, for guests to enjoy with their tea. Delicious sandwiches, including Open Goatsbridge Smoked Trout on Brown Bread with Red Onion Chutney, are available as well.

Park Hotel Kenmare

Address: Kenmare, Co. Kerry, V93 X3XY, Ireland

Website: Park Hotel Kenmare

2. Learn all about brewing in Tom Crean Brewery Kenmare

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

One of the best things to do in Kenmare is learn all about brewing in Tom Crean Brewery Kenmare. Nestled in a picturesque town in Kerry on the West Coast of Ireland, this brewery offers tours that give you an insight to how beer is made the Kenmare way. You are also provided with opportunities to sample different styles of beer that are available onsite. Each delicious beer is vegan and made with only just four ingredients: malted grains, hops yeast, and water.

Before leaving, you can drop by the on-site shop, which features shirts, gift cards, and other cool souvenirs.

Tom Crean Brewery Kenmare

Address: Killowen Rd, Kenmare, Co. Kerry, V93 Y6KX, Ireland

Website: Tom Crean Brewery Kenmare

Opening hours: Tue - Thu: 10am - 5pm; Fri - Sat: 10am - 7pm (closed on Sun & Mon)

3. Explore Reenagross Park Kenmare

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Located along the banks of the Roughty River, Reenagross Park is a wooded little park with 3 km (1.86 mi) of walking trails and features some spectacular nature views. It is a perfect place to stroll and have a picnic with the family. Also, the area is home to many plants, animals, archeological sites, and more. Additionally, you’ll find an old Victorian house that is known as Kenmare House or Kenmare Lodge.

Reenagross Park Kenmare

Address: Killowen, Kenmare, Co. Kerry, Ireland

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

4. See the famous Kenmare Stone Circle

One of the famous attractions in the city, Kenmare Stone Circle - also known as the Shrubberies - is a pre-historic monument dating back to the Bronze Age. Unlike other stone circles in Ireland, the one here is egg-shaped and composed of 15 boulders, and in the center is a Boulder-Dolmen that is said to be the burial place of someone important. The stone circle is believed to be a place for rituals or ceremonies because the stones are oriented to lunar and solar events. On another note, the monument doesn’t look like a prehistoric attraction because the lawn is well-maintained and surrounded by pine trees.

Kenmare Stone Circle

Address: 52 Market St, Kenmare, Co. Kerry, Ireland

5. View beautiful landscape paintings at the Purcell Gallery

If you are an art enthusiast, then you shouldn’t miss the chance to visit one of the best galleries here: Purcell Gallery. This place has exhibits that focus on contemporary fine arts, all made by local artists. In the paintings, you’ll see the beautiful landscapes of the area as well as abstract representations of the subject. The artworks also show how this scenic town charmed the artists into staying and making it their muse as well as their home.

The Purcell Gallery

Address: 28 Main St, Kenmare, Co. Kerry, V93 FXT8, Ireland

Website: The Purcell Gallery

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 10:30am - 5:30pm; Sun: 12pm - 5:30pm

6. Marvel at the scenic view over Cromwell's Bridge

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Cromwell’s Bridge is a scenic attraction in Kenmare. It is an old bridge that was built on AD 500 to link the monks to their sacred well. A lot of people said that it is named after military leader Oliver Cromwell, but later on, people found out that Cromwell’s troops didn’t even make it this far. Make sure to stroll this part of the city and have your photos taken - or it didn’t happen, just like Cromwell.

Cromwell's Bridge

Address: Bridge Street, Kenmare, Ireland

7. Shop for souvenirs and buy fresh produce at Kenmare Farmer's Market

If you want to know more about the city, you should experience Kenmare Farmer’s Market. It happens every Wednesday, from 10 in the morning to 4 in the afternoon. This local fair will give you a taste of what Kenmare has to offer in terms of produce and crafts. You’ll find here numerous vendors selling a variety of items from fresh produce to local handicrafts, plants, and more. The vendors set up early, so you’ll have lots of time to shop and choose items that will come home with you.

Kenmare Farmer's Market

Address: An Cro Bridge Street Kenmare, Kerry, Republic of Ireland

Opening hours: Wed: 10am - 4pm (closed from Thu - Tue)

8. Pray for healing at Our Lady's Well

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If you’re a Catholic, you should visit Our Lady’s Well, which is found across Cromwell’s Bridge. You’ll surely miss this site if you don’t know what to look for, so make sure you ask around for its whereabouts or join a history tour of the town. On the site, you’ll find a statue of the Virgin Mary, a well, and a plaque with a description of its history. You can sit on one of the benches, relax, and pray for healing. A lot of people go here to ask for healing.

Our Lady's Well

Address: Cromwell Ct, Gortamullin, Kenmare, Co. Kerry, Ireland

9. Hang out with friends at PF McCarthy's

If you’re wondering where the locals go after a tiring day or to cool off, then you have to visit PF McCarthy’s. It is an Irish pub with neatly dressed staff and features delectable bar food and a selection of beer and spirits. It is also where you’ll find a proper Guinness. Apart from good food, an excellent variety of drinks, and great ambiance, this place also has live music to entertain you all throughout the night. So what are you waiting for? Come and hang out with friends over a pint of authentic Guinness.

PF McCarthy's

Address: 14 Main St, Kenmare, Co. Kerry, Ireland

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 10:30am - 11:30pm; Sat: 10:30am - 12:30am; Sun: 12:30am - 12:30am

10. Watch a show at Carnegie Arts Center

A venue for creatives in Kenmare, Carnegie Arts Center is a multi-purpose event space that caters to movies, theater performances, and other local and cultural events in town. This place also offers an arts program that focuses on local and international culture. Additionally, it is licensed to officiate weddings and civil ceremonies.

Carnegie Arts Centre

Address: 2 Shelbourne St, Kenmare, Co. Kerry, V93 ER23, Ireland

Website: Carnegie Arts Centre

Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 10am - 5pm (closed on Sun & Mon)

11. Play a friendly game of golf at Kenmare Golf Club

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Established in 1903, Kenmare Golf Club is an old golf course in town that features 18-hole courses. It is one of the best works of Mr. Eddie Hackett, a well-known golf course architect. It also boasts scenic views and various traps, making it perfect for golfers of all levels. Another highlight of the property is the colonial-style clubhouse that features an on-site restaurant where guests can dine and get refreshments after a day of playing.

Kenmare Golf Club

Address: Killowen Road Kenmare, Co. Kerry, Ireland

Website: Kenmare Golf Club

Opening hours: 8am - 7pm (daily)

12. Learn about the city's history at Kenmare Public Library

Are you a bookworm and the type to always look for a library when visiting a new place? If so, don’t miss the opportunity to visit Kenmare Public Library. It has an impressive collection of books in different genres and subjects, but what you should focus on are the books and journals about Kenmare. This is a chance to learn more about the town’s culture, art, and history. Don’t hesitate to ask for guidance, as the friendly librarians are willing to help. Also, make sure to bring everything back to its proper place before leaving the premises.

Kenmare Public Library

Address: Shelbourne St., Kenmare, Co. Kerry

Website: Kenmare Public Library

Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 10am - 1:30pm, 2:30pm - 5pm (closed on Sun & Mon)

13. Have a relaxing time at Magic Touch Kenmare

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After a day of trying out the best activities in Kenmare, it is only fair to treat yourself to a massage to loosen up all those muscles. The best place for that is Magic Touch Kenmare. Here, you can choose different kinds of massages depending on what suits you best. They have a holistic massage, which helps relieve tension, a deep-tissue massage for inflammation, hot stone massage, which is good for stiff muscles, and a lot more. Apart from massage services, they also offer facials.

Magic Touch Kenmare

Address: Market House, The Square, Kenmare, Co. Kerry, V93 EC8D, Ireland

Website: Magic Touch Kenmare

Opening hours: Tue - Fri: 10am - 5pm; Sat: 10am - 4pm (closed on Sun & Mon)

14. Go picnicking at Gleninchaquin Park

Visiting Gleninchaquin Park, a family-owned attraction in Ireland, is one of the best things to do in Kenmare for families. This valley features majestic scenery and beautiful landscapes. Here, you’ll come across waterfalls, streams with log bridges, mountain trails, rock passageways, lakes, and more. It also has six trails to accommodate hikers at all levels. Apart from the nature activities, the park also allows you to have a picnic or a barbecue. You can even bring your furry friend with you, just make sure that he or she is leashed.

Gleninchaquin Park

Address: Gleninchaquin, Kenmare, Co. Kerry, Ireland

Website: Gleninchaquin Park

Opening hours: 10am - 5pm (daily)

15. Dine with your family at No. 35 Kenmare Restaurant

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An award-winning restaurant and one of the top local eateries in the city, No.35 Kenmare Restaurant is a beautiful establishment with a rustic-style setting that has a cozy and intimate ambiance. This place is known to serve mouthwatering dishes made from locally sourced ingredients, most of which come from the owner’s farm that is located near the restaurant. Apart from the dishes, they also have craft beers, ciders, and wines. Be sure to dine with your family or loved ones here to find out why the locals love eating here so much.

No. 35 Kenmare Restaurant

Address: 35 Main St, Kenmare, Co. Kerry, V93 Y038, Ireland

Website: No. 35 Kenmare Restaurant

Opening hours: Sun - Tue, Fri: 5:30pm - 9pm; Sat: 5:30pm - 10pm (closed on Wed & Thu)

Hello, laidback Kenmare

There’s nothing more relaxing than visiting a small town and being far away from the problems of a big city. The little town of Kenmare will help you fulfill this kind of holiday. With its breathtaking sceneries, your mind will surely be at ease here. Apart from nature, it has some of the best restaurants that serve healthy and delicious meals. And for other activities, refer back to this list of the best things to do in Kenmare, Ireland, to know what awaits you here.