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markets · Saturday 15 August 2026 · Various 
Kenmare Fair
At Kenmare Town Center · Kenmare, Co. Kerry
At Kenmare Town Center · Kenmare, Co. Kerry
The 15th of August is not an ordinary day in Kenmare. Every year on this date, the town holds its annual fair - a tradition that dates to the 1760s - and the place becomes unrecognisable to anyone who knows it on a quiet midweek afternoon. Stalls line the streets, traders arrive from across Munster, and crowds from the surrounding hills and towns of Kerry fill every corner of the town centre. It is one of the last genuinely old-style fairs still running in the south-west.
The fair has its roots in a two-day livestock market: August 15th was originally set aside for cattle and other animals, while August 16th handled dry goods and materials. Over time the two merged, and today the event carries traces of both. Livestock trading still draws farmers from the peninsula and beyond, and that side of things gives the day a working, purposeful energy that separates it from purely tourist-facing events. Alongside the animals, market stalls sell tools, food, general merchandise and all manner of goods. Fortune tellers set up along the route. There is bustle and noise and the particular atmosphere that comes from a crowd of people who have all gathered for the same reason on the same date for generations. The overall effect is a fair day that feels earned rather than manufactured.
Kenmare sits at the head of the Kenmare River estuary, roughly 34 kilometres south of Killarney via the N71 - a scenic drive through the mountains that takes about 35 minutes. From Tralee, follow the N21 to Killarney and then the N71 south; allow around an hour. There is no rail connection to Kenmare and bus services are limited, so most visitors arrive by car. On fair day the town is exceptionally busy - arriving early is advisable and accommodation should be booked well ahead.
The fair is a good reason to spend more than a few hours in the area - Kenmare is a handsome market town with good food, craft shops and easy access to the Beara and Ring of Kerry peninsulas. There is more to see in Kenmare and across Co. Kerry.
Heading to Kenmare Town Center in Kenmare? Kerry has plenty more to see. Read the Kenmare area guide, find what else is on, and explore the towns and villages nearby.