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HOME AT FIRST

  

 

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THE ACCOMMODATIONS: Kenmare Heights Cottage is a two-story, two-bedroom, 2½-bath traditional whitewashed Irish cottage — beautiful new construction ideal for small families or two couples. Stone, wood, tile, and natural fabrics have been used extensively in this purpose-built vacation cottage to give the clean, modern lodging a traditional Irish charm.
          On the ground floor, the spacious, combined open-plan living room and dining area features leather-accented sofas, TV, a color TV, stereo, with solid fuel stove in the fireplace, as well as dining table suite. The

 

TRIPLE BEDROOM WITH MASTER BATH
 

kitchen also has a dining table and chairs, and

dining table and chairs, and is well-equipped

 

OPEN PLAN LIVING/DINING ROOM
 

with a fridge, electric range, and microwave. The kitchen opens onto a spacious, private, patio behind the cottage. Also just off the kitchen are a powder room (WC) and utility (laundry) room with washer and dryer.
         The two bedrooms and bathrooms occupy the second floor. The master bedroom has a double bed and a single bed, plus a bathroom with Jacuzzi tub and shower. A second bedroom has a double bed plus bathroom with shower. Rooms are warmed via efficient electric storage heaters. Private, off-street parking is adjacent to the cottage entrance.

THE SETTING: Kenmare Heights Cottage is set in an idyllic rural setting less than ½ mile from the attractive, bustling, award-winning Heritage Town of Kenmare in southernmost County Kerry in the southwestern corner of Ireland. The cottage is along a minor road that traverses a shelf on the heights above the north shore of Kenmare Bay. Its perch looks south over the bay and across to the rugged Caha Mountains of the Beara Peninsula.
          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

 

NUMEROUS SHOPS AND OVER THIRTY RESTAURANTS
DRAW CROWDS TO COLORFUL DOWNTOWN KENMARE.
Photo © HOME AT FIRST
 

considerable Celtic history in the region, where

the Roughty River empties into Kenmare Bay

 

O'CONNOR'S BAR ON THE SQUARE — ONE OF SEVERAL
TRADITIONAL IRISH PUBS IN KENMARE.
Photo © HOME AT FIRST
 

(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 supported by the permanent population of about 2,000. Its Wednesday market draws many people to Kenmare's busy central square, which also is home to the

regional tourist office.

                                                                                               Drawing © HOME AT FIRST
 

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.

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

Dublin International Airport is 6 hours away.

Major attractions within easy day-trip range

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.
Photo © HOME AT FIRST

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., Ring of Kerry G.C., and Bantry Bay 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

THE HOSTS: Kenmare Heights Cottage was built in 2007 on land adjoining the family estate. The owners and their family live on a neighboring property and are enthusiastic, knowledgeable hosts, eager to help guests discover dramatic southwestern Ireland from a comfortable, central, rural base in County Kerry.

 

THE DINGLE PENINSULA. THE CELEBRATED SCENERY OFTHE
 RING OF DINGLE IS ABOUT ONE HOUR NORTH OF KENMARE.
Photo © HOME AT FIRST
 

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