The Drawing Room HourNotebook No 89January 2026
Kenmare in November, the falls running full.
Collected by Deborah. Read her editorial perspective
We arrived in Kenmare this November, the Sheen River swollen from a week of rain. The falls outside the dining room had become a powerful presence, a constant thunder shaping our stay. The bar, typically subdued, now hummed with guests, a lively counterpoint to the rushing river.
Adare
For us, a river-view room on the second floor is essential; the sound and sight of the cascading water fill the space. We suggest alternating your dining experiences: take a brisk walk into Kenmare for lunch one afternoon, then enjoy an intimate dinner at the lodge the next. The library, warm with woodsmoke, offers a comforting refuge from the weather.
This is the most understated luxury hotel within Kerry.
The Ireland Edit Way
Cut the itinerary in half, then cut it again. The letter we send before every first visit.
Every hotel change costs you half a day. Luxury, in Ireland, is staying put.
Six questions we apply before booking any room in Ireland. The November test, the dinner-twice test, the landscape-over-room test.
To understand Ireland, stop looking at the castles and start looking at the kitchen table.
From the notebook
Collected notes. A few times each season.