RESTAURANTS AND FOOD: One Delightful Summery Day in Kenmare and Killarney

Thursday, April 3, 2025

One Delightful Summery Day in Kenmare and Killarney

One Delightful Summery Day in Kenmare and Killarney

Tom Crean Brewery - Maison Gourmet - National Park - The Lake Hotel

Ladies View, Killarney

Highlights: stunning views, strawberry tart, brewery visit

Muckross House Glasshouse

Muckross House
Glasshouse

With a stroke of luck, we landed in the Kingdom of Kerry on a summer’s day in March, a true “pet” day. Just the one day, though, but we were glad we had switched our booking at the Lake Hotel from Thursday to Tuesday as we relaxed on the balcony with a glass (of water - they have cool water stations at each level) and enjoyed the stunning views over the lakes.

Later, at dinner, we would see a small bunch of deer run across the lawn just outside, in the twilight. I think they may have been upset by a jogger coming up behind them. We, too, were a bit upset because the hotel could not fit us in, except at a very late time, for an evening meal in the main dining room, the fine-dining Castlelough. As we heard later, we weren’t the only couple with that particular problem, even though our booking had been DB&B.

At check-in, our reservation was reduced to B&B only, and we agreed to take up the suggestion of dining in the bistro. The regular Bistro menu wasn’t all that inviting on the face of it, so we had some reluctance. However, thanks to a good selection of specials, we went on to enjoy quite a lovely meal there, along with a pint of the local Killarney Brewery lager.

I finished up with an unusual but delicious version of Bread and Butter pudding, while the Apple Crumble didn't generate the same enthusiasm. The next stop was the bar, the Devil’s Punchbowl, and I eased out with a delicious dram of Writers Tears. Time for bed then, and I slept soundly on one of the most comfortable mattresses ever, the perfect balance between firm and yielding!

The visit began with a halt in Kenmare and a call to the fabulous Maison Gourmet for a snack. They had a full lunch menu going, but we didn't want anything major. There was no resisting the attractive line-up of French-style pastries on display, especially the strawberry tart (above), which proved every bit as good as it looked. Add a fair bit of the French language behind the counter (and the sun outside), and we could have been in a patisserie deep in the Dordogne.

Muckross, light and shade on a "summer" day!

We rolled up the town then to visit the Tom Crean Brewery and the hard-working couple that run it, Aileen Crean O’Brien and Bill Sheppard. They informed us of recent developments, including the good news that their excellent beers are now available in Cork through Matsons (Bandon, Grange, and Youghal) and also O’Donovan’s Off Licence. More on the brewery soon in a beer post!

Tom Crean's in Kenmare
Brief Visit to Tom Crean Brewery: here

Quite often in Kerry, we have passed the beauty spots without stopping because of mist or rain. This time, we didn't miss anything. One stop was at Molls Gap, not so much to take in the views, which we did, but to do a little shopping in the Avoca shop there. And we were glad to see the fantastic West of Dingle Sea Salt in stock there (as it had been on a previous occasion). Soon, we were at Ladies View, sharing a lay-by with a couple of tour buses. Enjoyed that little halt.

View from Lake Hotel balcony

Still time for 30 or 40 minutes around the gardens at Muckross House. We were a week or two early for their beautiful tulip displays. Soon, we were settling into the hotel and taking in the early evening sun before heading down to dinner. With the quality of the specials and that spectacular walk past by the deer, the evening was a delightful one.

Pics below from dinner in the Lake Hotel Bistro