New Cultural Center in town---PLUS....:
There is a new cultural center in town, The Carnegie Arts Center, which features local musicians and artists. Also, interesting movies are being shown. This is in addition to the many venues in town for musicians appearing at the hotels and pubs nearly on a nightly basis. Travel or visit around the town areas during the day, go for a scone and afternoon tea, take a nap listening to the water, then walk to one of the many intimate restaurants in town--or go for pizza or a take out of fish and chips--then off to one of the many entertainments for the evening. Have a wonderful Irish coffee and stroll the short walk back Finnehy Court!!! No car needed. What could be better!! If you would like, a private driver/guide can be arranged for touring. A private chef may be available, if desired. But, the local restaurants are excellent and all are within a very easy and pleasant walk from Finnehy Court. If you prefer, some will do a gourmet take out...bring home and savor by the fire!!
Restaurants, spa, massage, special activities:
Kenmare is known for its many first class, award winning, restaurants. The restaurants are small, varied, intimate and use only the freshest of ingredients. There are two 5 star hotels in town....lovely for lunch or an evening cocktail before dinning there or in any of the wonderful restaurants in town. One of the hotels has many spa services available including hot stone massage. Also, if you like, you can arrange skeet shooting or any number of activities that they offer for 'outside' guests....even a tour of the largest wine cellar in Ireland!! There are other spas in town that also offer massage, facials, etc. and some therapists that will come to the house for reflexology, etc. Please let me know if I can help with any arranging of services or activities.
Also, be sure to take an eco-tour out of the town marina for all the fun, and informative, information that the captain will offer on the area and, as a bonus...get up close to the seal colony that thrives in Kenmare Bay!!
Historical areas:
There are many local areas of interest that are left-over from days long gone by, some well known and some recently discovered. There is an ancient, pre-Stonehenge Druid Stone Circle that is right off the center of town...a very easy walk from Finnehy Court. At the end of Bridge St is the Tourist Center that will give you all the information that you need...and has a wonderful history of the town depicted in the back area. Just south of Kenmare on the N71 is a newly discovered ancient site in the town of Bonane. Here you will see the remains of a small village, complete with a natural 'caldrun' for steaming the food, an area cut out of the hillside to protect the cattle, etc! There are astrological settings and connections with other astrological markings in the area. A bit further along the N71 is the restored farmhouse and farm that was owned by the widow Molly Gallivan. Be sure to stop there and get Stevie to tell you all about both places and he will guide you around the areas.
Golf:
There are many wonderful golf clubs in the area and all are available for guests to play. The most local is the Kenmare Golf Club, right in town, and then The Ring of Kerry Golf Club which is only 4 miles out of town. A short journey to the Killarney area will bring you to The Killarney Golf and Fishing Club (home of the Irish Open and has three courses to offer),and to Beaufort Golf Club that is spectacularly situated just at the Gap of Dunloe. A bit further on, on the north coast of The RIng of Kerry, is the old, well-established, Dooks Golf Club with its wonderful ocean views and cozy clubhouse. Also, for ocean views and equally easy to get to are the Waterville Golf Club, on the far western tip of the Ring of Kerry and the wonderful Tralee Golf Club which is just a few miles north of Tralee town. Of course, you may want to travel to Kinsale for the day and play at Old Head...so many courses to choose!!! You just might have to play them all!! All have well-stocked pro shops and a place to get something to eat and drink. Be sure to call ahead to reserve your tee time and also to reserve either a caddy or a 'buggy' (electric golf cart). Any problems...call me!! The drive to any of the out of town courses is spectacular, a new breathtaking vista around every bend. And, walking or riding on the course will keep you marvelling at the natural beauty that surrounds every hole. Spend some time in the clubhouses and trade tales with the 'locals'.
Other Activities:
Mountain walking. The Kerry Way marked trails for a variety of levels. Horseback riding
