The elegant riverside town of Kenmare was founded in 1670 by Sir William Petty and is today a designated heritage town. You can trace the history of the town at the Kenmare Heritage Centre and learn about its tradition of lace making at the Lace Museum. Kenmare is a popular centre for watersports and horse riding, has its own golf course and a fine selection of galleries and craft outlets. In nearby Bonane a Heritage Park features a series of ancient monuments while a traditional cottage and farm centre looks at life before the advent of electricity.
To the west of Kenmare, Tuosist and Lauragh are bounded by mountains and sea and offer a spectacular setting for walking, cycling and driving. The Ring of Kerry Golf & Country Club and the spectacular 19th century neo gothic Dromore Castle are located nearby in the small village of Templenoe
