The pretty heritage town of Kenmare enjoys the best of both worlds, positioned between the craggy splendour of the Ring of Beara and the dramatic beauty of the Ring of Kerry. Surrounded by magnificent scenery, the town offers visitors a charming array of shops and tempting restaurants. Local attractions include the Kenmare stone circle, known locally as “the shrubberies,” and probably the biggest of its kind in the region. Built in the Bronze Age from 15 huge boulders, it centres on a burial boulder with a giant capstone.
Another delight for visitors to Kenmare is its gourmet reputation, which has turned it into one of Ireland’s food capitals. Look out for the Kenmare Food Carnival in July. Close to Kenmare is the family-owned Gleninchaquin Park, a place of wild beauty with a spectacular 140-metre high waterfall at its heart. Take a cruise around Kenmare Bay to get close to Ireland’s biggest colony of harbour seals, and enjoy wonderful views of attractions from castles to manor houses.