Kenmare

Kenmare town

Kenmare (Irish: An Neidín) is a small town (pop. 1844 - CSO 2002) in the south of County Kerry, Ireland. The Irish name for the town 'An Neidín' translates into the English 'The Little Nest'. It has also been known as Inber Scéne in historical literature and mythology.

Kenmare lies on two of the more famous Irish tourist attractions, the Ring of Kerry and the Ring of Beara, approximately 32 kilometres (20 miles) from Killarney. It is at the head of a bay known as Kenmare River where the Roughty River flows in, and at the junction of the Iveragh Peninsula and the Beara Peninsula.

The entire area was granted to the English scientist, Sir William Petty by Oliver Cromwell as part payment for completing the mapping of Ireland, the Down Survey in 1656. He laid out the modern town circa 1670.

The three main streets that form a triangle in the centre of the town are called Main Street (originally William Street, after Sir William), Henry Street (after the son of William) and Shelbourne Street (Henry Petty became the first Earl of Shelburne). This name was also later applied to Shelbourne, Dublin

However, the area has more ancient roots. There is one of the biggest stone circles in Ireland very close to the town, showing occupation by Celtic peoples long before English occupation.

Vikings are said to have raided the area and named it the 'Head of the Sea'. This translates into the Irish Ceann Mara and was corrupted by the English into the modern day name of Kenmare.

The convent in the town, the Poor Clare Sisters, was founded in 1861 by Sister Mary Frances Cusack, who was also an author and publisher of many books. The convent eastablished a lace-working industry and Kenmare Lace became noted worldwide. The town is noted for receiving Ireland's tidiest town award in 2000. The Catholic Church in the town contains stained glass from Franz Mayer & Co..

Kenmare was home to English composer Ernest John Moeran for a number of years up to his death and a local bar is named after him. It is also the home of Irish Olympic slalom skier Thos Foley. GAA footballer, Pat Spillane comes from nearby Templenoe.

It forms part of the Kerry South electoral constituency. Nearby towns and villages are Ardgroom, Glengarriff, Kilgarvan, Killarney and Sneem.

Transport

There are daily bus-services to Killarney. There is also a daily service to Cork in the summer months. Kenmare connects to Killarney on the mountainous and scenic N71 route via Molls Gap and Ladies View or alternatively on the more convenient route via Kilgarvan. N71 forms part of the Ring of Kerry. Kenmare also lies on the N70 south-Cork route to Glengarriff.

Trivia

According to the fiction of J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter books, Kenmare is the Home of the Quidditch team, Kenmare Kestrels.

Kenmare

Transport

Trivia

See also