Nestled at the entrance to the world famous Gap of Dunloe is Kate Kearney's Cottage, a 150 year old family run establishment.
After a day's sightseeing, you can stop by for the famous pub grub and a drink in Kate’s pub with its open fire. In the restaurant, a full a la carte menu is provided and groups, small functions, individual diners and couples are catered for. There’s also a craft shop here which stocks a wide range of local gifts and produce.
At Kate Kearney's traditional Irish night dinner, traditional music and costumed dancers are hosted. The night is presented for groups either in the restaurant or the specially customised Barn. The ambience and fine food has earned Kate Kearney's various awards and a worldwide reputation. Local musicians play guitar and other stringed instruments including fiddle, mandola, Irish bouzouki and banjo accompanied by the bodhrán, accordion, uilleann pipes, low whistle and tin whistle. Irish dancers in costume dance reels, jigs and the almost forgotten 'Brush Dance'.
The Gap of Dunloe is a narrow mountain pass between Macgillycuddy's Reeks (west) and Purple Mountain (east) in County Kerry, Ireland. A popular form of transport for tourists is the horse drawn trap, a cart where up to four occupants sit facing each other. There are also riding ponies for hire. The trap and ponies are guided by men from families that live in and around the Gap. Bikes can also be rented in the town of Killarney and ridden through The Gap. This place was used as a filming location in the Irish film The Crying Game. The road through The Gap from Kate Kearney's Cottage, down to Lord Brandon's Cottage, is about 11 km long, climbing and descending about 200 metres altogether. Many people hike or bike the route.
