Brimming with galleries, cafés and restaurants, it’s a slice of heaven ….
STAY: Choose a hotel according to your style: for slick contemporary design, The Lansdowne Kenmare; www.lansdownekenmare.com. For timeless elegance, the Park Kenmare, where interior designer and Kerry native Bryan O’Sullivan’s Art Deco-inspired redesign of the dining areas (pictured above) is pitch perfect. Do book in at Sámas Spa, making time to soak up the views from its infinity pool, an idyllic preamble to treatments using Bamford products; www.parkkenmare.com. For a posh rental, the eight-bedroomed Georgian country house Shelburne Lodge is comfortable and catering can be arranged; www.shelburnelodge.com. For a quirky cosy stay, consider the basement apartment in the Cleo Gallery, filled with antiques, a pot belly stove and an attractive courtyard, ideal for up to six; www.airbnb.ie.
For coffee, visit Maison Gourmet, for lunch The Stables Brasserie & Bar at Sheen Falls Lodge has just opened serving an all-day menu. For dinner, Mulcahy’s, The Lime Tree, Anois and Number 35 never disappoint; fortunately there are plenty of walks to work up an appetite and burn some calories afterwards. VISIT: Kenmare Butter Market, a light-filled space dating back to the 18th century, now used as an exhibition space. See artist David Fox’s retrospective “Going and Coming” from May 6–28. BRING BACK: Chocolates by Benoît Lorge from his shop on Henry Street.
PACK: For all seasons. This green jacket with hood, €59.99; www.parfois.com will keep you dry while the Pink Aster oversized sweater;
www.irelandseyeknitwear.com, pictured top, will keep you warm.
