Hello, my husband and I can't make up our minds about a portion of our first trip to Ireland! For the ring of kerry stay, would you recommend Killarney or Kenmare- we see advantages to both.

Here is what we are looking for:
- good restaurants
- live music
- young people, pubs open late (midnight or so)
- scenic

Here's where we are contemplating on staying:
Kenmare- Sea Shore Guesthouse
O'Donnabhain's and Davitt's sound fun b/c they are adjacent to the pub

Killarney- considering the Fairview

If you could any any pros cons to the above I'd greatly appreciate it Thanks in advance!

ps, we're going in Sept

My husband and I stayed in Killarney several year ago and loved it! After several days of staying at remote castles, horse farms, etc., we were excited to stay in Killarney and walk to lovely restaurants and pubs! The Killarney pubs on a Saturday night seem like they are out of a movie with fantastic live music (my husband is a musician and was blown away), lively crowds singing along and swinging their beer mugs (I swear we witnessed this). I give a thumbs up for Killarney!

Based on your stated criteria Killarny wins hands down with me. Lots of Pubs and a younger crowd as the night gets late. There are also after hour clubs, I don't remember how it works but you can stay up really late. Good music all around town and for the scenic part you have the park, the Gap of Dunloe the lakes and the ROK. . Don't know about the fairview but get a B&B really close to town center. Parking can be a problem and if your out late at night drinking you don't want to have to drive, have fun.

I'm a Kenmare fan but if you want young crowds, Killarney is probably the answer. If you are there in July or August, I might reconsider that choice though.

Bill

I went in September of 2003 and we stayed in both Kenmare and Killarney. I loved both places, but would also pick Killarney for sure if i could only go back to one of them. It was just beautiful!!! Trust me you will not be disappointed.

Kenmare!
I havn't been, but I planned my parents Ireland trip last year out out of everything they saw Kenmare was there favorite. They loved the B&B they stayed at and the hosts, and also they found like this corner the host recommended and met lots of people and stayed out late every night of their stay there.

I can't remember the name of the B&B, but if you want I can find out the name of the B&B and the pub.

cheriann - I would love to have the name of the B&B if it would not be too much trouble to obtain. Thanks!

I used to love Killarney but on our last visit we stayed in Kenmare and that became my new Killarney. I agree with the other posts, Killarney is definitely your town if your looking for a livelier night life and younger crowds. I just felt that Killarney had gotten really touristy feeling. Kenmare had a really quaint charm to it. We stayed in a B&B that was a 10 minute walk to the downtown which made it convienent. It had everything in town we needed and it was a good central place to stay for the traveling we were doing around the area.

Kenmare, a picture postcard Irish village. I've also closed 2 pubs there on separate trips after listening to some great music. No offense intended, but Killarney reminds me of Munich during Octoberfest - rows of 20 foot tables in resturants/pubs designed for tour buses. I've never stayed for more than a few hours, but Killarney is always crowded, loud, and filled with over priced shopping.

We loved Kenmare with its small town feel and very good pubs and eating options. That would be my choice.

I live in Ireland and have only been to Killarney once. I absolutely hated it. Thought the lakes were beautiful but the town has nothing going for it. (No offence meant to anyone.) Steeleyes summed it up very well, it has no charm. I haven't been to Kenmare but heard it's beautiful. Even if it's not, it's got to be better than Killarney!

Kenmare

A good comparison would be if you have ever been to the beautiful Smoky Mountains and driven through Gatlinburg, then you get the idea of how Killarney is to the park...probably a once quaint town tainted by its proximatey to natures wonders...crowded, lots of traffic, tacky carnival atmosphere...but then again, lots of people enjoy Gatlinburg...and Killarney. it's a personal preference.

we found Kenmare close enough to enjoy the area. the drive between Kenmare and Killarney is spectacular.