Things to do in Kenmare
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Kenmare Heritage Centre
Reached through the tourist office, Kenmare's heritage centre tells the history of the town from its founding as Neidín by the swashbuckling Sir William Petty in 1670. The centre also relates the story of the Poor Clare Convent, founded in 1861, which is still standing behind Holy Cross Church.
Local women were taught needlepoint lace-making at the convent and their lacework catapulted Kenmare to international fame. Upstairs from the Heritage Centre, the Kenmare Lace and Design Centre has displays including designs for 'the most important piece of lace ever made in Ireland' (in a 19th-century critic's opinion).
It's generally open Monday to Wednesday and Friday to Saturday…
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Prego
Prego's breakfast menu is long and varied, and the antidote to the black pudding you've avoided on your B&B plate (the crispy bacon sandwiches are a winner). Other specialities include great-value pizza and pasta.
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Kenmare Lace and Design Centre
The Kenmare Lace and Design Centre has displays including designs for ‘the most important piece of lace ever made in Ireland’ (in a 19th-century critic’s opinion). It’s run by lace-maker Nora Finnegan, who was taught by the Poor Clare nuns. Also interesting is the story of Margaret Anna Cusack (1829–99), the Nun of Kenmare and an early advocate of women’s rights.
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PF McCarthy's
Proudly boasting 'no fried food', this mannered spot serves meals well above the pub-grub norm.
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PFK Gold & Silversmith
Minimalist jewellery by Paul Kelly and contemporary Irish designers. Check out the salt servers with enamel linings by West Cork designer Marika O’Sullivan. Prices start at €80; Kelly also takes commissions.
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Purple Heather Bistro
With a great atmosphere and comfy traditional decor, this Kenmare favourite serves a great range of creative sandwiches and Irish dishes with a dash of European flair. The homemade desserts are the bomb.
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Horseshoe
Ivy frames the entrance to this gastropub, which has a short but excellent menu that runs from Kenmare Bay mussels in creamy apple cider sauce to local lamb on mustard mash and Kerry's best burgers. Vegetarian specials appear daily.
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Noel & Holland
Find that elusive favourite at this excellent second-hand bookshop, which sells some rare editions and also has a terrific range of paperbacks, all neatly collated.
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Jam
Funky, comfy Jam offers organic baked goods, picnic joy and elaborate coffees. Veggies can go silly for the lentil and nut loaf.
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Whartons
Traditional fish and chips are the big deal – and almost the only deal – at this spiffy chipper. Dine upstairs or out front.
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SuperValu
Choices, whether snacks, picnic, lunch or dinner, are many – and good. The SuperValu supermarket has a wide selection.
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Truffle Pig
Fine meats, farmhouse cheeses and a treasure trove of other deli items from the region.
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Kenmare Bookshop
Has a wide range of books, including a strong Irish section with maps and guides.
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Soundz of Muzic
Great selection of instruments and Irish and contemporary music.
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The Bread Crumb
Not only does this bakery have a tantalising selection of freshly baked breads, its vegetarian cafe has blackboard specials like rice slices with roast pepper, spinach and blue cheese, and spelt pancakes with sun-dried tomatoes.
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Stone Circle
Signposted southwest of the Square is an early Bronze Age stone circle, one of the biggest in southwest Ireland. Fifteen stones ring a boulder dolmen, a burial monument rarely found outside this part of the country.
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Star Sailing
Offers activities including sailing (per hour from €65 for up to six people; you'll need some prior experience), sea kayaking (single/double per hour €18/32) and hillwalking for all levels.
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Seafari
Warm yourself on tea, coffee, rum and the captain's sea shanties on an entertaining two-hour spotting voyage to see Ireland's biggest seal colony and other marine life; binoculars (and lollipops!) are provided.
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PFK Gold & Silversmith
Minimalist jewellery by Paul Kelly and contemporary Irish designers. Kelly also takes commissions.
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Mulcahys Restaurant
Creative twists on local seafood, such as cod with pomme purée, and pan-seared scallops with caper and raisin dressing, are the pick of the menu here, but Mulcahys also serves meat-based classics like beef Wellington.
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Holy Cross Church
Built in 1862, this church has a splendid wooden roof with 14 angel carvings. Intricate mosaics adorn the aisle arches and edges of the stained-glass window over the altar. The architect was Charles Hansom, collaborator and brother-in-law of Augustus Pugin (the architect behind London's Houses of Parliament).
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