Things To Do in Kenmare

The Best Drive in Ireland

It takes about 45 minutes to drive between Killarney and Kenmare, but it’s simply one of the most picturesque routes imaginable, winding through a stunning swath of Killarney National Park. It’s easy enough to find—just follow signs for N71, taking care not to get onto the quicker but infinitely less romantic back roads instead (your GPS may try and take you this way by default). If you’re setting out from Kenmare, the drive begins along gentle foothills; from Killarney, sun-dappled, sylvan woods. Either way it isn’t long before you hit wide, sweeping vistas of lakes and mountains, guaranteed to catch your breath and steal your heart. Fortunately there are plenty of places to pull over and gawp at the scenery, including Ladies’ View—so-called because it was, apparently, a favorite of the ladies-in-waiting to Queen Victoria. The viewpoint isn’t signposted, but it does have a handy café (closed at this writing, but due to reopen by 2018). All of the best viewpoints have small, free parking areas, so don’t be tempted to pull over illegally. Just make sure you’ve got enough space in your camera for all those dreamy pictures.