Overview
Kate Kearney’s Cottage sits at the northern mouth of the Gap of Dunloe, the mountain pass that cuts between the Macgillycuddy’s Reeks and Purple Mountain. It’s a family-run pub, restaurant and craft shop rather than a historic house to tour – for around 150 years it has been the last stop for food and a pint before the pass, and the point where most people set off through it on foot, by bike, or by pony and trap. It’s about 12 km west of Killarney, a 15-minute drive from the town, with free parking for cars and coaches on-site.
History & The Kearney Family
Accounts of the cottage’s age vary – you’ll see anything from 150 to 250 years quoted – but it has been a wayside stop on the Gap road for well over a century. Around 1905, John and Mary Kearney added rooms to cope with the growing tourist trade of jaunting cars and the first motor vehicles. What began as a single inn is now a warren of spaces: a bar with an open fire, a restaurant, a craft shop, and a modern beer garden. Through all the additions, the family have kept the original stonework and timber beams.
Folklore & Legend
Kate Kearney was a real woman who ran a shebeen on this spot in the 1840s, through the worst of the Famine, distilling an illicit poitín strong enough that it earned the name ‘Mountain Dew’. Folklore has embroidered the rest: some tales cast her as a witch brewing wicked potions for travellers, others as a fiercely independent hostess who gave shelter and a warm drink to anyone crossing the pass. Either way, her name has outlasted her by well over a century, and the open fire and stone walls of the original cottage are still here.
What to See & Do
Traditional Irish Night
On several evenings a week through the season, the venue runs a Traditional Irish Night: musicians on fiddle, bouzouki, bodhrán and uilleann pipes in the barn-style room or the restaurant, costumed dancers performing reels and jigs, and dinner served alongside. Which nights it runs varies, so check before you build an evening around it – and book, because it fills on summer weekends.
Dining & The Beer Garden
The à-la-carte menu focuses on seasonal Irish produce and traditional recipes prepared with modern techniques. Standouts include roasted duck, braised lamb shank, and slow-cooked Irish stew, alongside daily specials that rotate with local harvests. The bar pours a rotating selection of Irish craft beers and ciders, alongside the house stout. For warmer months, the contemporary beer garden provides level outdoor seating with uninterrupted views of the mountain pass, offering a quieter alternative to the main bar.
Craft Shop & Souvenirs
The on-site shop stocks handmade jewellery, woollen knitwear, and locally produced foodstuffs. Many items are sourced from Kerry artisans, making them practical souvenirs that support regional craft. The shop also carries traditional Irish dancing attire and cultural books for those interested in the area’s heritage.
Walking & Cycling Routes
Kate Kearney’s Cottage marks the conventional starting point for the Gap of Dunloe walk, an 11km route that follows the old road once used by traders and shepherds. It climbs and descends around 200 metres, with the views improving the higher you go. Cyclists can hire bikes in Killarney and tackle the Gap road, popular with road and mountain bikers alike, and horse-drawn trap rides run from near the cottage for a slower tour of the pass.
One honest warning: in summer the Gap gets very busy with tour buses and jaunting cars, and the single-track road can feel more like a queue than a wilderness. Start early – before the coaches arrive – or come off-season, and it’s a different place entirely.
Nearby Attractions
The cottage’s location makes it an excellent base for exploring wider County Kerry. A short drive south leads to Aghadoe, where the ruins of an early Christian settlement sit atop a hill overlooking Killarney Lake. Further west, Annascaul offers coastal walks and a small museum dedicated to explorer Tom Crean. For medieval history, Ardfert features well-preserved cathedral ruins and high crosses dating back to the 9th century. All three are within a 20–30 minute drive and pair well with a morning or afternoon stop at the cottage.
Practical Information
Opening Hours
Hours vary a good deal by season and are worth confirming before you set out – published times range from daytime-only to late in the bar on summer weekends, and the official website is often unreachable. The safest approach is to phone ahead, especially outside May–September and if you’re coming for dinner or a music night.
Contact & Booking
- Phone: 064 664 4146
- Mobile enquiries: 087 947 8716
- Email: katekearneys@eircom.net
- Website: katekearneyscottage.com
- Reservations are recommended for dinner service and group bookings. The venue also hosts weddings and private events in two meeting rooms that accommodate up to 250 guests.
Getting There & Parking
The cottage is on the R562/R568 west of Killarney, about 12 km – a 15-minute drive – from the town. Ample free parking is available on-site, including spaces for coaches. Public transport is limited: scheduled buses serve Killarney town centre rather than the Gap, so from there it’s a taxi or a pre-booked Gap of Dunloe tour. Most visitors arrive by car, often as part of a Ring of Kerry loop.
Accessibility
The main dining area, bar, and level beer garden are wheelchair accessible. The original stone cottage section features steep steps that may be difficult for visitors with mobility limitations. Staff are available to assist with seating arrangements and menu accessibility upon request.
Visitors planning to catch the Traditional Irish Night should arrive by 7:30 pm to secure a table near the musicians, as the barn fills quickly during summer weekends. Booking ahead guarantees a spot and allows the kitchen to prepare dietary requirements in advance.