Let’s be clear. There is never a bad time to visit Kenmare, on the edge fo the Ring of Kerry in the southwest of Ireland. That’s why we set up our Ireland Untour there. But here is a rundown of town events from a local that might help you decide when to travel.
Ongoing:
Outdoor Market – Every Wednesday in The Square and on some weekends during summer. Enjoy the sights, scents and sounds of market day where you can hear the occasional street musician, buy a made to order crepe or pizza, sample local cheeses and baked goods, inhale the spicy scent of olives, grab a cup of coffee, and browse through unique gift items. The market is largest on fine weather days in the summer season but is held year-round.
Carnegie Arts Centre – Every Thursday a first-run film is shown for a nominal fee. Local plays, music and comedy acts, and touring productions are featured throughout the year with reasonable ticket prices. The lobby of the theater doubles as an art gallery with changing displays.
Annual Events:
- Lace Festival (March)
- Féile Neidín, Irish Trad Festival (April) – Music from Friday through Sunday late in several pubs. Weather permitting there are also street buskers.
- Easter Week Events – Several family and kid-oriented events take place, ending with an egg hunt in Reenagross Park.
- Beara Bike Race (May) – Watch the beginning and the end of the race as the cyclists take off and leave from Kenmare’s Square.
- Fair Day/15th August (Aug) – a hundreds of years old tradition. Kenmare’s streets are filled with people and lined with produce, animals, gift items, clothing and food vendors.
- Halloween Howl (end of October) – This is a week of events leading up to Halloween, kicked off with a parade led by a headless horseman and a bonfire in the Square!
- Christmas Festival – Nollaig Neiden (3 December – 2 January) – Gather with the locals for hot chocolate and socializing, and watch the lights come on in the Square and the park.
- Choral Festival (December) – Choirs and choruses from all over Ireland commune in Kenmare for musical performances in both town churches, culminating with a Christmas carol sing-along at Holy Cross Church.
For event updates and exact dates as events appraoch, visit www.kenmare.ie/events. Whatever time you decide to visit, enjoy Kenmare and the best of County Kerry with full local hosting support on an Ireland Untour.