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Sr.Philomena McCarthy is for sale in Kenmare and deals with the history of Kenmare in great detail. It is believed that the first Celtic finds in the Kenmare area date back to 1800-2000 b.c. "The Killaha Hoard" ( axes, a halberd and a dagger ) on display in the National Museum, date back to this early copper age period. Stone Circles, Ring forts, Pillar stones and Standing stones are to be found all over Kerry. It is accepted that Christianity reached the south-west of Ireland before the coming of St.Patrick  Little or nothing is recorded of subsequent history until the coming of the Normans (1190 a.d.) The battle of Callan ( 1261 a.d. ) is now regarded as one of the most decisive in Irish history From this date to up to the battle of Kinsale the McCarties and O'Sullivans ruled a Gaelic state where the clans were self-supporting. In 1655 the lands of Kerry were confiscated by the cromwellians and it's inhabitants moved elsewhere or shot. In 1670 Sir William Petty managed to get his hands on 270.000 acres and planted 850 settlers based in Killowen and set out to make this colony a success, descendent William Petty-Fitzmaurice, 2nd. Earl of Shelbourne and 1st. Marquis of Lansdowne, commissioned the present design of the town which was completed in 1775. Kenmare, nestles among the mountains of Cork and Kerry, hence its Irish name "NEIDIN" meaning " Little Nest" or "Little Cradle " The charming picturesque town is a good example of one of Ireland's planned towns. The town is the first Heritage town in County Kerry. The Heritage Centre is located in the Courthouse where Kenmare's history is displayed. |
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