Kenmare Travel Guide: Stone Circle, Wednesday Market, Kenmare Bay and Spring Weather

Kenmare sits between the Iveragh and Beara peninsulas in southwest Ireland, and it’s described as the jewel in the Ring of Kerry. It suits travelers who like a small town with a stone circle, a weekly market and a bay on its doorstep.

At a glance

• Location: between the Iveragh and Beara peninsulas, on the Ring of Kerry
• Local buses: TFI Local Link routes 281 and 282, no booking required
• Market: every Wednesday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., in the Square
• Stay: boutique hotels, guesthouses, B&Bs, glamping and self-catering
• Spring weather: May high 58°F (15°C), 14 rainy days
• Entry for U.S. citizens: no visa for 90 days or less

Where is Kenmare and what is it like?

Kenmare lies between the Iveragh and Beara peninsulas, and it’s described as the jewel in the Ring of Kerry. The Kenmare Bay shoreline is part of the town’s setting.

The landscape is one of water and hills. Kenmare Golf Club overlooks the River Roughty Estuary and the Caha Mountains, which gives a sense of the views around town.

The past is close to the surface here. Kenmare Heritage Centre displays information on the town’s history and historical sites. Two churches add dates to the streets: one from 1814 on Killowen Road and a Gothic Revival one from 1858.

What is there to do in Kenmare?

Stone circle, heritage centre and churches

Kenmare Stone Circle is one of the largest stone circles in southwest Ireland.

Kenmare Church on Killowen Road is a Church of Ireland church dated 1814, and Saint Patrick’s Church is a Gothic Revival Church of Ireland church dated 1858. Bonane Heritage Park, with its stone circles, ringforts and standing stones, is the choice for anyone who wants more of the same.

Derreen Garden and Gleninchaquin Park

Derreen Garden covers 60 acres on the Beara Peninsula. Gleninchaquin Park is also on the Beara Peninsula, near Kenmare.

Check opening arrangements before setting out.

On and around Kenmare Bay

Sea safari and seal watching cruises run on Kenmare Bay. Star Outdoors Adventure Centre offers water skiing, sailing and kayaking, and the Tidal Zone Walking Tour goes through mudflats and rockpools.

Golfers get the views with their round.

Anyone heading for the mudflats and rockpools should expect wet ground and pack accordingly.

Wednesday market and food in Kenmare

Kenmare Market sells fresh local produce and home-made foods every Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the Square. Local specialities include gourmet ice cream, homemade honey and fresh fish.

For lunch, Maison Gourmet is a French-style bakery known for handmade pastries and fresh breads. Kenmare Foodie Tour is a walking food tour with TV chef Karen Coakley, and Lorge Chocolatier runs chocolate making courses.

Tom Crean Brewery tours and sheepdog herding demonstrations at Kissane Sheep Farm round out the list. If you want food and atmosphere, plan your stay to include a Wednesday.

Where to stay in Kenmare

Kenmare offers accommodation ranging from boutique hotels and luxury 5-star stays to guesthouses, B&Bs, glamping and self-catering. For a base in the middle of town, The Lansdowne Kenmare is a family-run boutique hotel on Main Street with 28 bedrooms.

Park Hotel Kenmare stands on the shores of Kenmare Bay, a short stroll from the town. It offers a package of 3 nights for 2, with dinner and spa once per stay. That suits a longer, slower stay by the water.

When should you go to Kenmare?

Among the months with data, May is the mildest and the driest. It brings a high of 58°F (15°C) and a low of 48°F (9°C), with 14 rainy days. April is cooler, with a high of 55°F (13°C) and 14 rainy days.

Winter is the wet end. January has a high of 50°F (10°C) and 21 rainy days, and 7 inches (187 mm) of precipitation falls in the month. Bring a waterproof jacket in any month from January to May.

What to know before visiting Kenmare

According to travel.state.gov, no visa is required for 90 days or less for U.S. citizens in Ireland.

• Passport: it must be valid for the duration of your stay in Ireland, with 1 blank page available per stamp.
• Vaccinations: none are required.
• Cash: the entry and exit maximum is 10,000 euros or approximately $11,671.
• Dual citizens of Ireland and the United States must bring travel documents for both nationalities.
• Local buses: routes 281 and 282 do not require booking. Seats must be pre-booked where there are deviations on R46a and R46b. Cash is accepted, and children under 5 and Free Travel Pass holders travel free.

Booking Kenmare for November: what to know

Third-party sites can charge significantly higher rates, in the hundreds of euros. Reserve with the hotel itself and compare.