Major city · Ireland
KenmareAn Neidín
Give Kenmare two nights as a base for the Ring of Kerry and Beara; one night only if you are just breaking the drive from Killarney to Bantry.
Kenmare is a planned 1670 town at the head of Kenmare Bay, where the Iveragh (Ring of Kerry) and Beara peninsulas meet. It is small — about 2,600 residents — but has more beds and restaurants than its size suggests, and it gets busy in summer. Two nights let you do the Ring of Kerry one day and Beara or Moll's Gap the next; one night is a road break, not a visit.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- May–Jun, Sep
- avoid Jul–Aug (crowds and full beds), Nov–Feb (many places shut)
- Airport
- KIR
- Nights
- 2
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Neither the UK nor Ireland is part of Schengen: days spent here do not count towards the 90/180-day Schengen limit, and a Schengen visa does not admit you to either country.
- Britain and Ireland ↗The island of Ireland runs on two currencies: euro in the Republic, pound sterling in Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Carry a card that pays in both without fees.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Both islands drive on the left. Speed limits are in miles per hour in the UK (including Northern Ireland) and in kilometres per hour in the Republic of Ireland.
- Ireland ↗Ireland is in the EU but not in the Schengen area; it sets its own entry rules and a Schengen visa is not valid for Ireland. Check Irish immigration for your passport.
- Ireland ↗Ireland and the UK form the Common Travel Area, with no routine checks on the land border. Visitors who are not Irish or British must still meet UK rules (including the UK ETA where it applies) to enter Northern Ireland.
- Ireland ↗Driving is on the left; rural roads are narrow with hedges and few passing places.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Kenmare112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Kenmare, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the euro (EUR).Ireland-wide
- SIM or eSIMVodafone, Three and Eir run the networks; prepaid SIMs (also 48, Tesco Mobile, GoMo) sell in phone shops and newsagents, no registration fuss.Ireland-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe; occasional local 'boil water' notices are posted by Uisce Éireann.Ireland-wide
- TippingRestaurant with table service: 10–15% if service is not included.Ireland-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets G. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Ireland-wide
- SafetyKenmare is a low-crime small town and safe to walk at night.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree in shopping centres, museums, pubs (as a customer) and many petrol stations; some public toilets charge 50c.Ireland-wide
- Emergency numbers112 police, ambulance, fire, coast guard, mountain rescue · 999 Alternative emergency number
- Sundays & holidaysShops open Sunday afternoons in towns; rural shops and some attractions close in winter (November–March).Ireland-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportKIR Kerry Airport (Closest airport, midway between Killarney and Tralee; limited flights.
- Getting aroundThe village is walkable in 10 minutes end to end; park at the Railway Rd car park by Holy Cross Church and leave The Square alone.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee€3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6)
- Sit-down mealPub main course€14–22 (≈ US$17–30)
- BeerPint of stout€5–6.50 (≈ US$6–8)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week€15–30 (≈ US$18–35)
- Museum or sight ticketDereen Garden entry€12 (≈ US$14) adult, €6 (≈ US$7) child (2026)
- Budget bedHostel bed, a night, per person€30 (≈ US$35)
- Mid-range bedB&B or guesthouse double, a night, per room€140 (≈ US$170)
- High-end bedB&B or guesthouse double, a night, per room€220 (≈ US$300)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €60 (≈ US$70) · Mid €110 (≈ US$130) · High €200 (≈ US$250)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- KIR Kerry Airport (Closest airport, midway between Killarney and Tralee; limited flights. Dublin, Shannon and Cork often work better.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Feb
Avoid
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Mar
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Apr
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
May
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Jun
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Jul
Avoid
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Aug
Avoid
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Sep
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Oct
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Nov
Avoid
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Dec
Avoid
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Best: May–Jun, Sep. Avoid: Jul–Aug, Nov–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)), coolest Jan (4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C) low), wettest Jan (18 rain days), driest Jun (12). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Kenmare: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
18 rd
Feb
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
15 rd
Mar
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
16 rd
Apr
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
13 rd
May
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
13 rd
Jun
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
12 rd
Jul
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
14 rd
Aug
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
15 rd
Sep
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
14 rd
Oct
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
17 rd
Nov
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
17 rd
Dec
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
18 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The village is walkable in 10 minutes end to end; park at the Railway Rd car park by Holy Cross Church and leave The Square alone. Bus Éireann 270 runs hourly from Killarney (45 min) and five a day continue to Glengarriff, Bantry and Skibbereen; Local Link 281 links Waterville via Caherdaniel and Sneem, and 282 links Castletownbere. For the peninsulas you need a car, a tour bus or a hired taxi; bikes come from Finnegan's Cycles on Henry St.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Ring of Kerry (Iveragh Peninsula)
goDoor to door: Full day, 214 km
N70 west through Sneem and Caherdaniel, or N71 over Moll's Gap
Drive clockwise from Kenmare to meet fewer tour buses; start early.
Killarney and Moll's Gap
goDoor to door: 40 min
N71 north over Moll's Gap, about 30 min to Killarney
Gap of Dunloe and the National Park on the way; park outside Killarney town.
Beara Peninsula and Castletownbere
goDoor to door: 1–1.5 h to Lauragh
R571 south via Lauragh and Ardgroom; Local Link 282 from Castletownbere side
Quieter than the Ring of Kerry; Dereen Garden is on the way.
Staigue Stone Fort
goDoor to door: 1 h
N70 west to Castlecove, then a 4 km (2.5 mi) access laneN70 west to Castlecove, then a 2.5 mi (4 km) access lane
Free, open 24 h; the lane is narrow but in good repair.
Sneem
goDoor to door: 25 min
N70 west, about 20 min
Small village with a sea inlet; pairs with a Ring of Kerry day.
Kilgarvan Motor Museum
cautionDoor to door: 20 min
R569 east, about 15 min
Vintage car collection; check opening before you drive out.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
The Square and Henry St
Pubs, restaurants and rooms on foot; no parking, so drop bags and move the car to Railway Rd.
Sneem Road (N70 west)
Hotels and B&Bs 5–10 min walk from the centre; quieter, with parking.
Killarney Road (N71 east)
Hotel and B&B cluster opposite each other; handy if you arrive from Killarney.
South across the bridge
Guesthouses on the far bank; walkable, but the road in has no footpath in places.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- €60–95 (≈ US$70–120) excl. bed
- Mid
- €95–160 (≈ US$120–190) excl. bed
- High
- €160 (≈ US$190)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| B&B or guesthouse double1 × 2 nights × €140 | €280 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × €110 | €440 |
| Bus Éireann 270 Killarney to Kenmare, one way2 × €12 · check | €24 |
| Car hire, one day, small car1 × €60 · check | €60 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × €20 | €40 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €84 |
| Trip total≈ €232 per person per day, bed included | €928≈ US$1,100 |
2026 estimate in euro; flights and car hire excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | €3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6) |
| Pub main course | €14–22 (≈ US$17–30) |
| Restaurant main course | €20–32 (≈ US$25–40) |
| Pint of stout | €5–6.50 (≈ US$6–8) |
| Dereen Garden entry | €12 (≈ US$14) adult, €6 (≈ US$7) child (2026) |
| Kissane Sheep Farm entry | €10 (≈ US$12) adult, €5 (≈ US$6) child (check) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | €15–30 (≈ US$18–35) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Summer beds in Kenmare sell out: book weeks ahead for Jul–Aug.
- The Square is congested and parking is limited; use Railway Rd.
- N71 over Moll's Gap and the coast roads are narrow with tour buses; drive the Ring of Kerry clockwise from Kenmare to meet fewer of them.
- The N71 tunnel towards Glengarriff is unsuitable for high vehicles.
- Mobile coverage drops on the N71 from Killarney: download offline maps.
Emergency numbers
- Police, ambulance, fire, coast guard, mountain rescue
- 112
- Alternative emergency number
- 999
Pocket card
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KenmareAn Neidín
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Chun an seoladh seo, le do thoilTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, ambulance, fire, coast guard, mountain rescue112
- Alternative emergency number999
Embassy
No embassies in Kenmare; the US Embassy is in Dublin and most countries keep embassies in Dublin, with consulates in Cork.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus 270 Kenmare to Killarney: about €12 (≈ US$14), 45 min (check)
- Taxi in the village: €8–15 (≈ US$10–18) (check)
- Kenmare to Killarney by taxi: €45–60 (≈ US$55–70) (check)
Say or show
- Dia duit — Hello (jeea gwit)
- Go raibh maith agat — Thank you (guh rev mah agut)
- Le do thoil — Please (leh duh hull)
- Cá bhfuil an leithreas? — Where is the toilet? (kaw will un leh-rass)
- Cé mhéad é? — How much is it? (kay vade ay)
- Sláinte — Cheers (slawn-che)
Tourist Information Centre is on the north side of The Square, open daily 9AM–5PM (check).
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Kenmare. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Jun, Sep · avoid Jul–Aug (crowds and full beds), Nov–Feb (many places shut) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 6 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for KIR and the Dublin/Shannon/Cork fallbacks: last bus and taxi rungs.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: The Square, Railway Rd and Holy Cross, the Stone Circle and Finnihy, the bridge and south bank.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Stone Circle, Lace and Design Centre, Carnegie Arts Centre, Dereen Garden) and eat pages with last orders.
- Ring of Kerry and Beara drive fixtures with clockwise/anti-clockwise notes so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
- officialKenmare official site
- officialBus Éireann
- officialLocal Link Kerry
- secondaryWikivoyage: Kenmare, revision 5308261 (CC BY-SA 4.0)