Sneem

The local village of Sneem is a thriving community and caters well for the tourist trade. It contains several good restaurants, try the Blue Bull Pub for excellent bar food – I recommend the crab for lunch – and in the evening try dining in their restaurant.

Another favourite eatery of ours is the Sacre Coeur Restaurant, open only in the evenings. This family establishment serves truly outstanding food, seafood being their speciality – you must try the Black Sole which is exceptional. The portions are massive, and their wine list contains fine wines at bargain prices. There is also the Stone House, a Dutch restaurant serving fresh Lobster when available, and fine steaks.

Sneem also has several all-day eateries, try the Village Kitchen for lunch time snacks and the Riverside Coffee shop. A good family restaurant is the Riverain, and all pubs are lively, many having nightly entertainment, mainly focusing on ballad singing. Why not try the Blue Bull, the Fisherman’s Knot, Riney’s Bar and Murphy’s Bar?

The world famous Parknasilla hotel is within walking distance of the house, George Bernard Shaw penned Pygmalion here, and Robert Graves who lived in the Bishops House in the grounds wrote “I Claudius”. Here you may have a drink, take lunch or eat in the Pygmalion restaurant in the evening (booking essential).

 

Kenmare

The charming and picturesque town of Kenmare which is 25 minutes away by car, is a bustling and thriving town all year, and its friendly and hospitable people are waiting to welcome you. It is an example of one of Ireland’s few planned towns, built in 1775 by the Lansdownes, and to this day retains its old world charm whilst enjoying all the comforts of the 21st Century.

It is a gourmet’s delight, with many fine restaurants catering for all tastes. We often drive up in the evening and can highly recommend the following:-

Packies	The Lime Tree	The Park Hotel
The Horseshoe	The Purple Heather	Mulchay’s
Davitt’s	Indigo	An Leath Phingin
D’Arcys

Kenmare also has its share of atmospheric Pubs. Try them all – you surely won’t be disappointed.

Shopping is excellent here: as well as good food shops and a large supermarket, Kenmare also has antique shops and fine craft shops along with several good galleries exhibiting paintings, silverware and ceramics by local artists.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Killarney

Is one hour away by car, there are two ways of driving there, one is shorter and uses the wonderfully scenic route, crossing over the mountains via Molls Gap, the other takes a little more time and goes via Kenmare.

What can I say about Killarney? What ever you want to do, you can do it in Killarney!

It may be a little brash, but I think it’s good fun. If you are interested in historic houses then a visit to Muckross house is very worth while.