Where to Stop on the Drive from Cork to Kenmare

The quickest route from Cork City to Kenmare takes you via the N22 past Macroom and Ballyvourney and will take just an hour and 20 minutes (96 km) without stops. But, actually, the route I recommend taking into Kenmare is a tad longer, but I promise it’s worth it as it takes you deep into stunning West Cork, passing colorful towns and villages like Bantry and Glengarriff.

This route via West Cork takes around two hours and 10 minutes (130 km) without stopping, but really, you will need to allow a full day to do this scenic route properly.

You will also get to drive the famous Caha Pass, which is winding, narrow, and unbelievably beautiful. It connects Glengarriff with Kenmare. But, for most of the drive, you will be following easy national roads (the N22 and N71).

So, let’s take a look at this lovely drive together – shall we?

Cork City

Before you head off on your road trip, be sure to spend a few days (or at least a day) in Cork City. Try to tick off the city’s top sights like the world-famous English Market and the Shandon Bells (a local favorite spot). And squeeze in a visit to St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, University College Cork, and Blackrock Castle.

All of these are located within the city limits, so you can walk between them.

🛏️ Where to stay in Cork City: The River Lee Hotel – offering prime views over the River Lee, large bedrooms, and a fantastic on-site restaurant. This is one of the most popular hotels in Cork!

Farran Woods

Farran Woods is a small forest park located on the south shore of Inniscarra Lake and is just a 30-minute drive from the city. It’s a bit of a hidden gem here in Cork, and all around the park, you’ll be treated to lovely views of the lake’s reservoir.

If you’re keen to get some adrenalin pumping, then Zipit Forest Adventures, a ziplining experience that offers over 800 meters of ziplines, is a must-do! Take in the epic views as you whizz through the treetops on this awesome aerial trail!

There’s a large kids’ playground, toilet facilities, and an excellent coffee cart next to the car park!

There’s also an easy 1.1 km hike here called the Enclosure Trail, which will take most people about 25 minutes to complete. This trail follows around the perimeter of the deer enclosure, where you can see both red deer and fallow deer, and the duck pond.

You must pay 5 euros to park here (payable by card at the entrance).

Beal na Blath

Béal na Bláth is a site of profound historical significance in Ireland, most notably known as the location where Michael Collins, a leader in the Irish struggle for independence, was ambushed and killed on August 22, 1922.

The ambush at Beal na Blath marked a pivotal moment during the Irish Civil War, a war that started after the signing of the Anglo-Irish Treaty. Michael Collins, who was the Chairman of the Provisional Government and Commander-in-Chief of the National Army, was a key figure in the treaty negotiations, which ultimately led to the separation of Ireland (into the Republic and Northern Ireland).

His death is etched into the collective memory of the nation. And every year on the anniversary, a memorial event is held at Beal na Blath to honor Collins’ legacy and his contribution to Irish independence.

Dunmanway

Your next stop, Dunmanway, is a decent-sized town with a couple of stores, Cafes (we love Drip), and pubs.

Dunmanway is notable for being the birthplace of Sam Maguire, the namesake of the Sam Maguire Cup, the cup which is given to the winners of the All-Ireland Senior Gaelic Football Championship.

While you’re here, stretch your legs with a stroll around the picturesque Ballinacarriga Lake on the outskirts of town. And you can also visit the ancient Ballinacarriga Castle, a 16th-century tower house with beautiful carvings and panoramic views from the top.

Bantry

Nestled on the edge of Bantry Bay, one of the deepest natural harbors in the world, this town offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscapes, including the Beara and Sheep’s Head peninsulas.

Bantry is renowned for its vibrant arts scene, with events such as the West Cork Chamber Music Festival and the West Cork Literary Festival attracting visitors from around the globe. The town also boasts historical sites like Bantry House, a stately home with beautiful gardens and a fascinating history. This is a must-visit!

You can also catch a short ferry ride over to Whiddy Island from the town. Whiddy Island features a lovely 3-hour walk, which is part of the Sheep’s Head Way walking route. This walk covers small hills, beaches, and roads. Or if you don’t fancy walking, you can hire a bike from the Bank House bar. The Bank House Bar on the island is a lively venue on weekends in the Summer, where live Irish music bands play in the sunshine.

🛏️ Where to stay in Bantry: The Maritime Hotel is our recommendation in Bantry. It overlooks the water and is the biggest hotel in town. It’s a 4-star property and has an indoor pool.

Glengarriff

Glengarriff is home to some of the most beautiful scenery in Ireland. And actually it’s one of my favorite villages in Cork – there are loads of scenic walks here, it’s home to the stunning blue pools (a great spot for a swim on a hot day), and there’s plenty of great Cafes and restaurants here, too.

One of the best places to go for a walk here is the Glengarriff Woods Nature Reserve, a lovely mature oak woodland in the heart of the old Glengarriff Valley. There are many picnic areas and several viewpoints within easy reach along the trail. Perhaps the best lookout point on the trail is Lady Bantry’s Lookout, which gives a panoramic view across Bantry Bay and up to the Caha Mountains. 

The Blue Pools, as I mentioned above, is a must-visit here. It’s a short walk from the Main Street of Glengarriff village. You can access the blue pool beside Quills in the centre of the village. The Blue Pools has many trails and walkways through a magical forested area with beautiful views of the harbor. If you walk beyond the Blue Pool itself, you reach an area known as The Point. Here, there is a diving board and a beautiful sun-drenched bathing area. There’s also a pontoon for you to swim off.

Garnish Island

You can get to Garnish Island from the Blue Pools in Glengarriff via ferry, and I highly recommend doing so – it’s like another world over there. There is another ferry service that operates close to Eccles Hotel.

This 15-hectare island is home to a diverse collection of exotic plants and trees, and the gardens were designed in the early 20th century by Harold Peto, a renowned architect and garden designer.

On the island, you can explore the Italianate garden, Martello tower, and the tranquil Tea House while enjoying breathtaking views of Bantry Bay.

Caha Pass

This scenic 27-kilometer stretch of road after Glengarriff winds through the Caha Mountains and is famous for the Caha Tunnels (or Turner’s Tunnels), which were hand-carved through the mountain rock in the 19th century.

Take care driving here as it is notoriously winding and narrow in parts – although not as bad as the Healy Pass near Dingle. There are a few pull-in bays where you can safely pull in and take photos of the view.

Kenmare

Kenmare is one of the most-visited towns in County Kerry – yep, you’re in Kerry now (not Cork), and although it’s not as popular as nearby Killarney, it’s just as pretty with lots to do. I actually prefer Kenmare to Killarney (a bold statement), as sometimes the crowds in Killarney can be a turn-off for me.

Anyway, Kenmare town boasts vibrant streets lined with colorful shops, cozy cafés, and traditional pubs. And don’t miss the Kenmare Stone Circle, one of the largest stone circles in the southwest of Ireland. Interestingly, too, it’s one of the few stone circles in Ireland that is located within a town (unlike Drombeg Stone Circle, which is down a long country road).

Reenagross Woodland Park is another must-visit spot in town, and the scenery really is beautiful – I loved how the meticulously maintained gardens almost seem to seamlessly transition into the forest. Yes, here, gnarled trees stand above ferns and stones draped in moss, with gravel paths tracing the edge of Kenmare Bay.

As for where to eat in Kenmare, we really enjoyed our meal at No.35 Kenmare Restaurant on Main Street. And for coffee, we liked Maison Gourmet on Henry Street.

🛏️ Where to stay in Kenmare: We stayed at the Kenmare Bay Hotel on the outskirts of town – it’s very family-friendly and has an indoor pool, playground, large restaurant (with a small play area), and the rooms are spacious.

📍Map your drive from Cork to Kenmare:

Renting a Car in Ireland

When it comes to driving in Ireland, choose a vehicle that suits your travel needs. If you’re planning to explore rural areas or rugged landscapes, consider renting a compact or four-wheel-drive vehicle, which will handle narrow, winding roads more efficiently. Be sure to book your rental car well in advance, especially during peak tourist seasons, to secure the best rates and availability.

The cost of renting a car in Ireland can be expensive. However, there are some ways you can save money. We tend to always book our rental car through Discover Cars. This is a search engine for rental cars and allows you to filter by price if you’re on a budget or by vehicle type if there’s a specific car you’re after.

• Generally speaking, you can expect to pay around €300 per week for a manual (stick shift) economy car; this will rise to around €350 during the peak months of June, July and August.
• Try to rent your vehicle from major cities such as Dublin, Cork, Galway, Belfast, and Limerick. That’s because car hire companies in smaller cities tend to have fewer and more expensive options.
• Book as small a car as you can manage!
• We highly recommend selecting fully comprehensive car insurance. The roads and car parking spaces in Ireland are narrow, so it will quell your fears of getting a bump or scratch. Check if your credit card insurance covers this (some do!)

Slainte!

I hope this guide has helped you to decide where to stop on the drive from Cork City to Kenmare – I know the route I’ve suggested above is longer than the main route into Kenmare but honestly it’s worth the extra time.