Where to stay in or near Killarney

Killarney is quite touristy. You could certainly stay there but we don't have any recommendations for places to stay. You'll have to look at another guidebook or look online. An alternative would be to stay in Kenmare instead. By car, Kenmare is only 30 minutes from Killarney and close to the national park. Below are some suggestions from our Ireland guidebook for places in Kenmare. You can also do a good search or look on expedia.com for hotels closer to Killarney.

[$$$] Sallyport House, an elegant, quiet house with five rooms filled with antique furniture, has been in Helen Arthur’s family for generations. Ask her to point out the foot-worn doorstep that was salvaged from the local workhouse and built into her stone chimney (Sb-€70-110, Db-€100-140, Tb-€130-160, closed Nov-mid-March, cash only, no kids, parking, 5-minute walk south of town before crossing Our Lady’s Bridge, tel. 064/664-2066, www.sallyporthouse.com, port@iol.ie).

[$$] Hawthorn House is a fine, modern, freestanding house with a lounge, a warm and classy hostess, and 10 comfy rooms sporting fine woodwork courtesy of Mr. O’Brien, who’s also a carpenter. Its quiet residential location is just a block from all the pub and restaurant action (Db-€90-100, Tb-€120-140, Qb-€140, may be cheaper when slow, Wi-Fi, ample parking, Shelbourne Street, tel. 064/664-1035, www.hawthornhousekenmare.com, hawthorn@eircom.net, Mary and Noel O’Brien). Their two modern, self-catering apartments next door work well for those wanting to linger (weekly rentals).

[$$] Whispering Pines B&B offers five rooms with sincere, traditional Irish hospitality in a spacious house warmed by the presence of hostesses Mary Fitzgerald and daughter Kathleen (Sb-€45-60, Db-€76-80, Tb-€110, cash only, Wi-Fi, at the edge of town on Bell Height, tel. 064/664-1194, www.whisperingpineskenmare.com, wpines@eircom.net).

[$$] Virginia’s Guesthouse, ideally located near the best restaurants, is well kept by Neil and Noreen. Its eight rooms are fresh, roomy, and appealing (Sb-€40-60, Db-€65-90, Tb-€90-130, Wi-Fi, upstairs above Mulcahy's Restaurant at 36 Henry Street, tel. 086/372-0625, www.virginias-kenmare.com, virginias.guesthouse@gmail.com).

[$$] Willow Lodge, on the main road at the edge of town, feels American-suburban, with friendly hosts and seven comfortable rooms (Sb-€60-90, Db-€80-100, Tb-€120-150, Qb-€135-150, cash only, Wi-Fi, parking, 100 yards beyond Holy Cross Church, tel. 064/664-2301, www.willowlodgekenmare.com, willowlodgekenmare@yahoo.com, jovial Paul and talkative Gretta Gleeson-O’Byrne).

I'm sorry but I thought the Helpline was for fellow travelers to share their experiences and offer suggestions, not for RS employees to SELL what's in the Guidebooks. It's bad enough the camaraderie once felt on the Helpline has drastically declined but the blatant shilling really irks me. I have sent a private post Sherri in answer to her question.

Sent a private reply to George and stand by my right to express my dislike for the new chime in format.

Hi Sherri,
We stayed in Kenmare 2 nights on our recent trip. The first morning, we went to the Farmer's Market (it was a Wednesday) and then drove south along part of the Ring of Kerry (ROK). We returned to Kenmare for supper that evening, and then the next day drove north along the ROK through the Killarney National Forest. We stopped and walked up to the Torc Waterfall. There were more places we could have visited, by time ran out! My mom, who was 80, walked slowly and used her cane and got along fine. I thought Kenmare was a beautiful and quaint town. There are some nice places to eat and shops if you are interested in that as well. We drove a short distance from our B and B to the town square; it was easy walking from there. Enjoy your trip!