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Kenmare, Kerry Culture and Landscape Still Enticing Visitors
Found in the centre of Kenmare Bay, roughly 32 kilometres south of Killarney, the small city of Kenmare is the ultimate base for the visitor while they explore all that Ireland's South West has to give. It offers a bridge between the superb Ring of Kerry and the mountainous Ring of Beara, while providing world class food, fantastic accommodation and dazzling views in what is now amongst the last remaining "untouched" environments on the continent of Europe.
Its location in the centre of a bay which is close to the Gulf Stream means that the weather around Kenmare is in general mild, if quite damp. Extremes of temperature are rare, including phenomena like ice or snow, but temperatures in spring and summer can be quite pleasant. At last count, 1800 people lived in the city, which was the first of Ireland's 'planned' towns, established in 1670. To this day a hamlet feel continues on the highways of Kenmare, which was given the name of a Heritage City by Brd Filte in the early 90s. This step was an official recognition of the significant contribution made over the centuries by Kenmare historically, culturally and environmentally.
The Poor Clare Sisters, originally from Newry, County Down, established a convent in Kenmare in the latter 19th century, with the intention of teaching the local youngsters commercial abilities. One of those nuns had written and made public countless books. Inside a few years the five nuns set up a small lace making industry. Finally Kenmare Lace was to become world famous. What is reputed to be Ireland's first suspension bridge was opened in the early 19th century. But in the early 20 th century a concrete bridge was built in its place.
Of course, Kenmare's beauty as well as the remarkable quality of its food and accommodation mean it is deserving of a visit, and it doubles up as a launching pad from which to experience the close by hiking trails, bay, lakes, and golf courses, which are a sampling of the host of amenities in the area. To the north, gorgeous woodland mountain views and perspectives of the Lakes of Killarney can be discovered in the Killarney State Park. You can experience the elegance of all these attractions from a height while travelling along the Kenmare / Killarney Road
Over the years Kenmare Lace has had many fans among the nobility, including Queen Alexandra, for whom King Edward VII gave a collarette, and Queen Elizabeth II, who for her marriage received an antique Kenmare Needlepoint bed-cover. Pope Leo XIII was presented with a Kenmare needlepoint rochet by the Irish group, while in 1980 Pope John Paul II received an embroidered mitre. The Folk Museum and the National Museum hope to compile a record of the Kenmare Lace collection for generations yet to come, and a documentary of the production process has featured on RTE.
Its location in the centre of a bay which is close to the Gulf Stream means that the weather around Kenmare is in general mild, if quite damp. Extremes of temperature are rare, including phenomena like ice or snow, but temperatures in spring and summer can be quite pleasant. At last count, 1800 people lived in the city, which was the first of Ireland's 'planned' towns, established in 1670. To this day a hamlet feel continues on the highways of Kenmare, which was given the name of a Heritage City by Brd Filte in the early 90s. This step was an official recognition of the significant contribution made over the centuries by Kenmare historically, culturally and environmentally.
The Poor Clare Sisters, originally from Newry, County Down, established a convent in Kenmare in the latter 19th century, with the intention of teaching the local youngsters commercial abilities. One of those nuns had written and made public countless books. Inside a few years the five nuns set up a small lace making industry. Finally Kenmare Lace was to become world famous. What is reputed to be Ireland's first suspension bridge was opened in the early 19th century. But in the early 20 th century a concrete bridge was built in its place.
Of course, Kenmare's beauty as well as the remarkable quality of its food and accommodation mean it is deserving of a visit, and it doubles up as a launching pad from which to experience the close by hiking trails, bay, lakes, and golf courses, which are a sampling of the host of amenities in the area. To the north, gorgeous woodland mountain views and perspectives of the Lakes of Killarney can be discovered in the Killarney State Park. You can experience the elegance of all these attractions from a height while travelling along the Kenmare / Killarney Road
Over the years Kenmare Lace has had many fans among the nobility, including Queen Alexandra, for whom King Edward VII gave a collarette, and Queen Elizabeth II, who for her marriage received an antique Kenmare Needlepoint bed-cover. Pope Leo XIII was presented with a Kenmare needlepoint rochet by the Irish group, while in 1980 Pope John Paul II received an embroidered mitre. The Folk Museum and the National Museum hope to compile a record of the Kenmare Lace collection for generations yet to come, and a documentary of the production process has featured on RTE.