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KENMARE

KENMARE

COTTAGE

Kenmare Bay Cottage, Kenmare, County Kerry, southwestern Ireland. Photo © Home At First.
a

Terryglass

 

The rattan-furnished informality of the sunny conservatory at Kenmare Bay Cottage, southwestern Ireland.
THE RATTAN-FURNISHED INFORMALITY
OF THE SUNNY CONSERVATORY AT
KENMARE BAY COTTAGE, SW IRELAND.

THE ACCOMMODATIONS: Kenmare Bay Cottage is a two-story, four-bedroom, four-bath Irish cottage — beautiful, solid, new construction ideal for families or groups of up to nine persons. Each bedroom has its own private bath. The master bedroom and another bedroom have double beds. Twin beds equip the other two bedrooms. Three bedrooms occupy the upper floor of the cottage, and one bedroom is on the ground floor along with the completely equipped kitchen, and expansive living room/dining room with fireplace and large color TV. A sunny, five-sided conservatory furnished in upholstered rattan opens onto an outdoor terrace complete with a barbecue grill and

patio furniture. A utility room includes a full-sized American washing machine and matching clothes dryer. All bedrooms, the living room and the conservatory feature views north across Kenmare Bay to Ireland’s highest mountains, MacGillycuddy's Reeks. The bedrooms are carpeted; otherwise, all common rooms have blonde wood floors except the kitchen, which is tiled. Furnishings are substantial and homey. Stylistically, the cottage achieves the conservative, overstuffed, modern fashion of a quality seaside residence. Rooms are warmed via efficient electric storage heaters. Private parking is immediately in front of the cottage, with room for several vehicles.

Fully equipped kitchen at Kenmare Bay Cottage.
FULLY EQUIPPED, EAT-IN KITCHEN
AT KENMARE BAY COTTAGE.

 

Floorplan of the two-story Kenmare Bay Cottage. Drawing © Home At First.

 

O'Connor's Bar on The Square — one of several traditional Irish pubs in Kenmare. Photo © Home At First.

THE SETTING: Kenmare Bay Cottage is set in an idyllic rural setting just two miles from the colorful regional center of Kenmare in southernmost County Kerry in Ireland’s southwestern corner. The upland countryside perch of Kenmare Bay Cottage is private and gated, and includes an acre of manicured lawns and gardens.

O'CONNOR'S BAR ON THE SQUARE — ONE OF
SEVERAL TRADITIONAL IRISH PUBS IN KENMARE.


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Kenmare Bay Cottage sits among manicured gardens, looking north across Kenmare Bay to Ireland's highest mountains, MacGillycuddy's Reeks and the Ring of Kerry. Photo © Home At First.
Kenmare Bay Cottage sits among manicured gardens,
looking north across Kenmare Bay to Ireland's highest
mountains, MacGillycuddy's Reeks and the Ring of Kerry.

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Kenmare is not old by Irish standards, having been founded in 1670. However, the outlying region is dotted with stone circles and other prehistoric monuments. There is considerable Celtic history in the region, where the Roughty River empties into Kenmare Bay (also called the Kenmare River), an arm of the Atlantic Ocean wedged like a sound between the Beara and Iveragh peninsulas. Viking invaders likely sailed up the bay to the site of modern Kenmare. The town’s name comes from Irish Gaelic for "head of the sea." Modern Kenmare is a colorful, prim town with many more shops, restaurants (latest count: 30+), and pubs than one would expect could be

Numerous shops and over 30 restaurants draw crowds to downtown Kenmare. This is upper Henry Street. Photo © Home At First.
NUMEROUS SHOPS AND OVER THIRTY RESTAURANTS DRAW CROWDS TO
COLORFUL DOWNTOWN KENMARE.

supported by its permanent population of about 2,000. Kenmare’s Wednesday market draws many people to its busy central square, which also is home to the regional tourist office.

 

Moll's Gap near the top of Killarney National Park, 15 minutes north of Kenmare. Photo © Home At First.
MOLL'S GAP NEAR THE TOP OF
KILLARNEY NATIONAL PARK
15 MINUTES NORTH OF KENMARE.

THE LOCATION: Kenmare’s position between two of Ireland’s most extraordinary peninsulas is ideally located as a touring base for exploration of southwestern Ireland, and the especially scenic extremities of western County Cork and southern County Kerry. Two important and well-known touring routes, the Ring of Kerry and the Ring of Beara (which circle the Iveragh and Beara peninsulas), converge at Kenmare. Principal cities and towns within day-trip reach of Kenmare include Killarney, Bantry, and Cork. Shannon International Airport is about 3½ hours northeast of Kenmare. Cork International Airport is about 2

hours east of Kenmare. Dublin International Airport is 6 hours away. Major attractions within easy day-trip range of Kenmare include the Killarney National Park, the touring Rings of Beara, Kerry, and Dingle, the Caha Mountains and MacGillycuddy's Reeks (Ireland’s highest mountains), Ross Castle, Blarney Castle, and many authentic Irish villages along the coast and inland, lively market towns with pubs featuring traditional Irish music.

ACTIVITIES: In addition to touring throughout southwestern Ireland, guests enjoy water sports (fishing, boating, swimming) along the coast,
golfing nearby courses (Kenmare G.C. and Ring

Ballydonegan Beach on the Beara Peninsula. Kenmare is the only town on both the Ring of Kerry and the Ring of Beara. Photo © Home At First.
BALLYDONEGAN BEACH ON THE BEARA PENINSULA. KENMARE IS THE ONLY
TOWN ON BOTH THE RING OF KERRY
AND THE RING OF BEARA.

Kenmare is perfectly situated for walking, hiking, and climbing in some of Ireland's most rugged mountains. Carrauntoohil — the peak on the left — is Ireland's highest mountain, and kingpin of MacGillycuddy's Reeks. Photo © Home At First.
Kenmare is perfectly situated for
walking, hiking, and climbing
some of Ireland's most rugged
mountains. Carrauntoohil (the
peak on the left) is Ireland's
highest mountain, and kingpin
of MAcGillycuddy's Reeks
IN THE RING OF KERRY.
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of Kerry G. C.) or at world class courses a little further afield (Waterville, Killarney, even Tralee, Ballybunion, and Old Head of Kinsale), walking, hiking, and climbing in the Caha Mountains and MacGillycuddy's Reeks, pony trekking, visiting craft shops, and joining in the traditional Irish music nights at several local pubs.

THE HOSTS: Kenmare Bay Cottage was purpose-built in recent years on the family estate of local owners with over thirty years experience in Kenmare’s hospitality industry. The owners and their family live nearby and are enthusiastic, knowledgeable hosts, eager to help guests discover dramatic southwestern Ireland from a comfortable, central, rural base in County Kerry.
 

THE OFFER: Looking for a peaceful, central base from which to explore Ireland? From the spacious, upscale Kenmare Bay Cottage near Kenmare, Southwestern Ireland, the local dining choices are excellent, and a broad selection of outdoor activities is close at hand. Visit Killarney National Park and the Rings of Dingle, Kerry, and Beara. Walk, shop, discover Technicolor seaside villages, play golf, fish, and find your favorite pub. Return to your comfortable, Irish cottage home near bustling Kenmare each evening. HOME AT FIRST makes it possible to experience the Ireland of your travel dreams.

More dramatic scenery: the Dingle Peninsula. Kenmare is about an hour south of this celebrated Irish landscape. Photo © Home At First.
THE DINGLE PENINSULA. THE CELEBRATED SCENERY OF THE RING OF DINGLE IS
ABOUT ONE HOUR NORTH OF KENMARE.


AVAILABILITY: For current availability information, call HOME AT FIRST at (800) 523-5842, or contact us by e-mail at: info@homeatfirst.com.
 

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Learn more about HOME AT FIRST's travel program to: SOUTHWESTERN IRELAND.