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A beautiful small town nestling in the foothills below the Kerry and Beara Mountains. It's original name was Nedeen- later Neidin (the Little Nest) and that's very apt as it's snug on the Kenmare river nestling amongst the hills. Kenmare was also the starting point of The Grand Atlantic Tour (now known as The Ring of Kerry) I'm Keith Jones and I'll take you on a Virtual tour of my Favourite Town in Ireland CLICK HERE for a photo of Keith (he's the one without fur !) All of the photographs are by me except for the old Black & White ones (I'm not quite THAT old !) It's set in a limestone niche and the area around is of red sandstone. Most of the older houses are built of Limestone. These have now been colour-washed and this makes Kenmare a very colourful and attractive town. Many Artists and other
creative people live in Kenmare and the surrounding area and
it's becoming quite famous as a creative centre.It's also a centre
for healing therapies. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
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Kenmare History The Gaelic Invaders landed near the site of the Pier under the leadership of Mug Nuadat The follower of the God Nodens (Eogan) They ruled Southern Ireland for over a Thousand years. It's a very old town indeed dating back to prehistoric times and has a superb stone circle - probably the oldest thing in Kenmare CLICK HERE for more Historical photos and engravings The Stone circle (or Druids Circle) Click here for photos of the Stone Circle This circle dates back thousands of years and has a Boulder Burial. Look closely at the central boulder and you'll see Cup and ring markings.These are associated with an early Fertility Cult . Old Kenmare Graveyard Site of an early monastic settlement founded by St Finian of Inisfallen who died at the end of the 7th Century This area was attacked by Vikings in the late 7th Century. Vikings raided the whole coastline of Ireland and often took whole villages back to Scandanavia as slaves. (They also raided the Copper Mines of Beara near Allihies.) The Church of St Finian is in ruins and nearby you'll see the Famine Field. You can find the old graveyard near the Sheen Falls Hotel over the concrete bridge on the Glengarriff Road and turn left - it's 1km along the road on the left. There's the remains of a Church with McGillycuddy's Reeks in the distance over the River. There is a Holy Well about 45 metres along the shoreline of the River. (entrance is through a stile near the church but it's difficult access with a steep drop) Click HERE for Photos of the Old Kenmare Graveyard The Lansdownes A Mine works was founded in 1670 by Sir William Petty (Ancestor of the Lansdownes) on the banks of the Finnihy River. CLICK HERE for a picture of Sir Wiliam Petty Sir William was Physician General to Oliver Cromwell's Army.He stayed on to carry out the first scientific mapping of the area (The Down Survey) and this was used to dispossess landowners who did not support Cromwell.For this work he received huge tracts of land -much of it in Kerry. He brought a colony of English settlers to develop his new lands including an Iron Works and a Fishery. After much discontent from local people , the English settlers were forced onto a ship and sent back to England. However,more people were sent out and the colony re-established.On the subject of settlers, new residents to Kenmare are known as 'blow-ins' presumably from the time of the Spanish Armada when sailors literally were blown in after shipwrecks. Kenmare was planned as a classic Landlord's town on the orders of the First Marquess of Lansdowne in 1775 It's a perfect example of a Landlord's Town and here's an engraving of that time. During The Great Famine in 1845/1847 many people died in Kenmare and there were terrible scenes of suffering here. CLICK HERE for a Photo of the Famine Field
Main Street The main provisions and shopping street including : A Bookstore,The Lansdowne Arms Hotel, A Ladies Beauty store,several really good pubs,an excellent fish and chip shop/restaurant,a bookmaker,electrician,Fishing store,Jewellers,gift shops ,goldsmith,stores,supermarkets,butchers,printers,florist,AIB bank with cashpoint,a number of excellent restaurants, CLICK HERE for Photos of Main Street Henry Street Here we have probably the most Colourful Post Office in Ireland (Currently bright Purple) with also an Internet service and Stationery shop. A number of fine restaurants are interspersed with a traditional hardware store,excellent wine stores, a gold and silversmith,a petstore,motor parts shop,a Health Food Shop, a traditional Gents Barber and B&B's ,an antiques shop and a number of good pubs,gift shops,ladies hairdressers and estate agents.. A traditional mens outfitter is also in this street. CLICK HERE for photos of Henry Street Bunker Hill Tower You'll see this in the carpark - it is in fact a Folly built by Who was at the Battle of Bunker Hill (near Boston Mass.) CLICK HERE for Bunker Hill Folly Photos The Poor Clare Convent founded in 1861 and had a famous School of needlework. Kenmare was very famous for it's lace and in part of the Market House there is the Kenmare Lace and Design Centre and a museum of lacemaking which is well worth visiting. CLICK HERE for The Poor Clare Convent photos The Market house is also home to the local court and the tourist office Tourist information is available from the lace museum in the September to Easter period.. Kenmare Heritage Centre has displays of local megaliths,The Famine and a large lace-making display CLICK HERE for Market House Photos The Church has striking Roof Timbers and Beautiful Stained Glass Windows. There's a Celtic Cross outside the front CLICK HERE for photos of the Catholic Church The Pier has a delightful row of cottages including one with rocks painted with seal portraits CLICK HERE for Pier Photos. Rose Cottage now a B&B is one of the oldest cottages in Kenmare CLICK HERE for Rose Cottage Photos St Mary's Holy Well -Whose waters are reputed to have strong healing properties - The Holy Well is near Crombhails bridge and is not well signposted. There's a pilgrimage here on 15th August annually. CLICK HERE for photos of St Marys Holy Well Crombhail's Bridge (signposted as Cromwells bridge -although Cromwell never made it to Kenmare !) an early packhorse bridge. To get to Crombhail's bridge leave Bridge street,cross the river by the footbridge past the carpark and turn left around the new houses. There's a narrow gap in the wall past the houses and that's where you'll find Crombhail's Bridge. Please do not climb the Bridge.There'a a modern one nearby ! CLICK HERE for Crombhail's Bridge Photos THE BUTTER MARKET Now the site of the Creamery. I'd love to get a picture of the Old Butterm Market to add to this site. THE TURKISH BATHS I'd LOVE to know where the Turkish Baths were ! please let me know... if you have a photo that would be great ! Rock Street A traditional row of cottages including an Art Gallery, an Arts and Crafts Shop and an Internet Cafe and Phone Shop CLICK HERE for Rock Street Photos Bridge Street you'll find a traditional Victuallers -note the lovely rams head on the door beside their shop One of the best secondhand bookshops in Ireland is also in Bridge Street and it's well worth a visit. Opposite the bookshop is a super Art Gallery who welcome browsers. The Bridge Bar (formerly Micky Ned's) is another excellent pub. CLICK HERE for Bridge Street Photos The Library Is currently being rebuilt but there's a photo HERE New Street Several Older Cottages,the Old Cinema (Now A Carpet Shop, an excellent Bakery Photos are HERE The Square Several Pubs and an excellent coffe shop,An excellent Ladies Outfitters and linen store,a supermarket and restaurants.A very large Electrical store and photo printer. There's a branch of the Bank of Ireland with a cashpoint machine. There's a very pleasant Triangular Park with several Statues and shaded seats.This still belongs to the Lansdowne family and was known as Fair Green The Veterinary Sugeon has a house on the North side of the Triangle. To the East is a large Builders Merchant and Quills Traditional style Department Store Public Toilets are next to the large car park . CLICK HERE for photos of the square The Horse Fair on the 15th of August every year,a HUGE horse Fair is held in the Square in Kenmare. Thousands of people come to visit and it's a fun and exciting time with horses,cattle,sheep,donkey,chickens,pets and hundred of market stall lining the streets. Click HERE to see several pages of photos Pig Racing Yes we really do race pigs in Kenmare ! If anyone has good pictures please let me know as I couldn't get near the pigs for the crowds !! The Statues The Three musicians are in a lovely piece of land overlooking the river and facing west. Click HERE for photos of the Statues Adult Education Centre on the Glengarriff Road Sheen Falls Hotel A luxury 5 Star Hotel formerly the local home of Lord Kerry. The River Sheen runs alongside the Hotel and is famous for its Salmon and Trout Fishing. The waterfalls are beautiful. CLICK HERE for photos SEAFARI Boat trips around the Kenmare River and a large colony of Seals with close views. The Modern Bridge links Kenmare with Glengarriff and the Beara Peninsula. Click HERE for Photos of the Bridge The Park Hotel Excellent 4 Star Hotel in the middle of Kenmare offering all facilities including a Spa This was formerly the Great Southern Railway Hotel when kenmare had a railway line and Station. Click HERE for photos Rinnagross Park a very pleasant and large park between the Kenmare Golf Course and the River. Large collection of exotic trees and shrubs just near the Park Hotel. Click HERE for photos of Rinnagross Park The KENMARE Golf Course an easy walk from the centre of Kenmare in delightful surroundings overlooking the river and mountains. Reasonable green fees.Visitors welcomed. Click HERE for photos of the Golf Club If you think I've left anything important out then please email me with details (just click)to Keith you forgot to include this on the Kenmare Page !
and I'll update it after checking the details. I'll be putting up a COMMENTS page too with your views on Lenmare and any stories you can tell the world about Kenmare. or its more colourful inhabitants. (Particularly humour or pleasant tales) (but PLEASE -NOT views on the proposed development at the pier or on Gaelic Football Thanks !) Please email them to |
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