Our story
Kenmare House through the centuries
Built in 1969 as the residence of Beatrice Grosvenor CBE, Kenmare House carries a family legacy stretching back to the Browne family’s arrival in Killarney in the 1500s.
Alongside Killarney House and Knockreer House, it stands as a symbol of a family that did much to shape modern Killarney.
1559
Sir Valentine Browne is appointed Surveyor General of Ireland by Queen Elizabeth I, beginning a 450-year family tenure in Killarney, with Ross Castle among their earliest residences.
1689
King James II grants Sir Valentine Browne, the 3rd Baronet, the titles of Viscount Kenmare and Baron Castlerosse, establishing the dynasty.
1726
A remarkable Kenmare-Castlerosse residence is built overlooking Lough Leane, part of a 137,000-acre estate.
1861
Queen Victoria visits Killarney, staying a night with Lord and Lady Castlerosse, inspiring the 4th Earl to commission a grander residence.
1872
Killarney House, a Victorian-Tudor manor costing over £100,000, is completed as the successor property.
1913
Killarney House burns in August; the 5th Earl converts the old stable block of Kenmare House into a new headquarters.
1943
The 6th Earl, Viscount Castlerosse (“the most famous and colourful of all the Kenmare Earls”) dies and is buried in St Mary’s Cathedral.
1952
The last Earl, Gerald Browne, dies. Beatrice Grosvenor arrives to manage her uncles’ affairs and builds Knockreer House.
1956
Beatrice Grosvenor sells Kenmare House and 25,000 acres to an American syndicate to cover death duties.
1959
John McShain, a Pentagon builder, purchases the property, renovates it and renames it Killarney House.
1960
Lady Grosvenor opens the Castlerosse Drive-In Motel (the first hotel in Killarney with a swimming pool) officially opened by Jack Lynch.
1969
Beatrice Grosvenor builds a new Kenmare House beside the motel, keeping her ancestors’ legacy alive.
1985
Beatrice Grosvenor dies, the fifteenth member of the Kenmare-Castlerosse family entombed in St Mary’s Cathedral. Denis Kelleher, an Irish-American Wall Street stockbroker, buys Kenmare House.
2023
Following an extensive refurbishment, the Kelleher family and Castlerosse Park Resort launch Kenmare House on the exclusive-rental market.
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