History

"As I leave behind Kenmare
Its like purple splashed with green"

Kenmare is situated by the sea nestling between the mountains of Cork and Kerry, from whence it got its Irish name Neidin meaning "Little nest". Its one of Ireland's few planned towns built around 1775.  To this day it retains its old charm while enjoying the comforts of the 20th century. Chosen in recent years by the Irish Tourist Board as the first Heritage town in Kerry.
The Heritage trail is a pleasant easy walking route around the town suitable for the young and old. Places of interest on route include the following:

Stone Circle

* The Stone Circle
Over 3,000 years old. It consists of 15 stones arranged in a
circle. It possibly dates to the same era as Stonehenge and Newgrange.
Many of the stone circles are placed precisely in relation to the sun. As
such they were possibly used as calendars in relation to agriculture. They
may also have been used for sun worship and burial grounds.

* Cromwell's Bridge
Name thought to have originated from the Irish word "croimeal" the Gaelic
word for moustache. The bridge is arch shaped and the population was Irish
speaking. One of the theories is that the locals were speaking of the
bridge and his majesty's men thought they were speaking about Cromwell!

* Holy Cross Church
Designed by Charles Hanson, son -in-law and one- time partner of Pugin. It
is a Church of fine proportions. Behind the altar is a large plate glass
window and underneath the high ceiling are 14 hand carved angels which came
from Germany in 1864.

* Killowen Church
The cemetry around this Church contains the grave of composer E.J. Moeran.
The present Church of Ireland St. Patricks is situated at the Bell Height.

* Old Kenmare Cemetry
250 years old within which are the ruins of St Finians Church and nearby is
the holy well from which people take water to use for eye ailments and
warts. In the cemetry there is a monument for an estimated 5,000
people of the greater Kenmare area who died during the famine period.

* Kenmare Lace
Visit the Kenmare Lace exhibition beside the Tourist Office. Local girls
were taught needlepoint and lace making by the local Poor Clare Nuns after
the famine. Such was the reputation and quality of the lace that orders
came into the Convent from near and far. Queen Victoria ordered Kenmare
lace in 1881. To-day it is still made in the locality by some lay people.

* Poor Clare Convent
Seven nuns came in 1861 ,among them was Sr Frances Cusack who was
later to be known as the "Nun of Kenmare" They took up residence in Rose
Cottage until their convent was built. They fed, clothed,
and taught the local children. Nowadays they are involved in pastoral work within the local community