Travel
Getting to Kenmare, getting around, and where everyone's staying.
Getting There
Four airports serve the Kenmare area — choose the one that works best for your flights.
Kerry (Farranfore)
🚗 45 min to Kenmare
Closest, limited routes
Cork
🚗 1h 30min to Kenmare
Good transatlantic connections
Shannon
🚗 2h 20min to Kenmare
Direct US flights (JFK, BOS, ORD)
Dublin
🚗 4h 30min to Kenmare
Most flight options, scenic drive south
🚂 Train from Dublin
If you're flying into Dublin (DUB), the train is a relaxed and scenic alternative to driving the whole way south.
Dublin Heuston → Killarney
- 🕐 Journey time: approx. 3 hours 15 minutes
- 🚉 Departs from Dublin Heuston station (not Connolly — note the difference)
- 💺 Book in advance for best fares at irishrail.ie
- 🗺️ Several departures daily; the journey follows the stunning south-west corridor through Tipperary and Limerick Junction
Killarney → Kenmare
- 🚗 ~30 min drive from Killarney train station to Kenmare
- 🚕 Taxis are readily available at Killarney station — expect €35–€50 for the journey
- 🚌 Bus Éireann route 270 connects Killarney to Kenmare (check buseireann.ie for times)
- 🤝 Coordinate with other family members arriving by train to share a taxi!
Getting Around
🚗 Rental Car Tips
A rental car gives you the most flexibility for day trips around Kerry. Here's what to know before you drive off the lot:
Book early — July is peak season and automatics sell out fast. Request automatic transmission explicitly; manual is the default.
Drive on the LEFT. Take a moment before pulling out of every car park to remind yourself. Roundabouts go clockwise.
Get full insurance (CDW + theft). Irish roads are narrow and hedgerows are unforgiving. Check if your credit card covers rentals abroad before buying extra.
Toll roads: the M50 Dublin ring road has an e-toll barrier (no cash). Your rental company can add it to your contract, or pay online at eflow.ie within 24 hours.
Narrow roads are real. The Ring of Kerry and Ring of Beara have single-track stretches with passing places — pull into the left and let oncoming traffic through.
Fuel is sold in litres and is expensive. Fill up in larger towns (Killarney, Kenmare) rather than remote stations.
Parking in Kenmare is free in most areas. Pay attention to yellow lines — single yellow means restricted hours, double yellow means no parking.
In Kenmare: The town is very walkable. Everything is within 10–15 minutes on foot. Parking is free in most areas.
Day trips: Carpool! The Ring of Kerry is best done as a group. We'll coordinate shared drives for major outings.
Where We're Staying
11 properties across Kenmare — 88+ beds total.
Shelburne Lodge
10 BR · 20 guests🚶 5 min walk to town
Winchmore Hill House
6 BR · 12 guests🚶 1 km to center to town
7B Riverside Villas
4 BR · 7 guests🚶 11 min to Stone Circle to town
Shelbourne St Townhouse
2 BR · 6 guests🚶 In town to town
✈️ Flight Arrival Board
Who's arriving when — sorted by arrival time.
Wright/Bustamante
Orlando → Dublin
🚗 Rental car (full)
O'Sullivan
Newark → Shannon
🚗 Rental car or shared ride
Penland
JFK → Shannon(Delta)
🚗 TBD
Bradler
Boston → Shannon(Aer Lingus)
🚗 TBD
Return: Fri, Jul 24
Bustamante
Orlando → Dublin(Aer Lingus)
🚗 Rental car
Bustamante
Orlando → Dublin(Aer Lingus)
🚗 Rental car
Return: Sat, Jul 25 at 1:50 PM
O'Sullivan/Okeefe
Newark → Dublin
🚗 Shared ride
O'Sullivan
Philadelphia → Dublin
🚗 TBD
OKeefe
→ Dublin
🚗 TBD
Viviel
Charlotte → Dublin(British Airways)
🚗 Rental car (full)
Return: Fri, Jul 24 at 11:30 AM
Viviel
→ Dublin
🚗 Rental car