Kenmare Butter Market

About Us

Kenmare Butter Market

About Us

About Us

Kenmare Butter Market

DSC01855 A 3copy 400x400 1

Built in the mid 1800’s, the former Kenmare Butter Market was converted to a dance hall in the 1960’s. Steeped in history and located in the centre of Kenmare town (Co Kerry) and on both the Iveragh and Beara peninsulas on the Wild Atlantic Way, this venue is a perfect arts location. The building was originally purchased to house a whisky distillery as part of a larger idea to reimagine the whisky distilling of Islay that will expand across several new distilleries in other historic spaces including Killarney and on the Iveragh Peninsula. The Kenmare Butter Market is one of those buildings.

Phase 1 will see the building used as it is now, an industrial urban space. In Phase 2, architectural work will commence along with the addition of the new distillery. The space is large enough to accommodate large artworks and operates as a contemporary art gallery and music performance space.

Our inaugural exhibition ‘Staccato’ in July 2021 was an unveiling of new work by established Irish artists, Bridget Flannery, Paul Hughes and Paddy Lennon. Since then we have showcased work by artists, Ciaran McCoy (aka Pigsy), Regina Bartsch and Michael Hales. 2022 began with an exhibition of nine emerging female artists, followed by a retrospective by David Fox. Our first dedicated exhibition of contemporary sculpture by 34 of Irelands established Sculptors is currently open. Kenmare Butter Market is committed to showcasing Irish and international professional artists.

The Butter Market not only is an excellent art gallery, it is also a great music venue which has the capacity to host a wide range of musical events from classical, folk, jazz to rock. Please see our technical specification.

Visit Us

Explore Our Gallery

277098677_468522338081061_3319693742018194206_n
285151659_517357633197531_2864199558358588050_n
285880757_518543259745635_3678728496869496707_n
Copy of 443A7984
untitled-8
IMG_1676
443A1141
443A1228
443A1178
443A1242
2 Purple Hill_OShea
David Fox
IMG_2599
On the Blue Shore
The Very Edge by Fionnuala Nolan
On the Blue Shore
SeaTree
Summer1933_2020_Oil_On_Board_20cmx30cm
uaeZIAfM
Ian
eccd12_d1781d1ce2c94957baab41b3a0316fd2_mv2_d_1922_2841_s_2
eccd12_285695103e9b4c9ba6df8ecc9a62726d_mv2_d_2142_2142_s_2
eccd12_72e1e560263444758475418ba849f431_mv2_d_2260_2278_s_2
eccd12_8be469afbc8b430483d606657f2fa00e_mv2_d_2163_2155_s_2
DSC01960-A-4-copy-copy-400x400
DSC01999-copy-A2-400x400
DSC01991-A2-copy-400x400
DSC01954-A-4-copy-400x400
DSC01957-A4-copy-copy-400x400
DSC01942-A2copy-400x400
DSC01938-A3-copy-copy-400x400
Blue 100x70cm Mixed Media on Paper
Josephine Mannion
Margo Banks
josephinemanion
Margobanks
Oil and mixed media on canvas, 195 x 120 cm
Michael-McSwiney-dog
Don Baker
Gerry Creedon & Friends
Kammer Philharmonic
untitled-11
443A8336
Previous image
Next image

Our Vision

Kenmare Butter Market - Contemporary Art Exhibition & Performance Space

Contemporary Art Exhibition & Performance Space

Our vision is to provide a platform for the showcasing of both national and international artists along with increasing the public’s enjoyment and understanding of modern contemporary art. We believe that access to art is vital and we aim to encourage the making of art and the development of creative potential whilst being relevant to a diverse global audience.
The Kenmare Butter Market is committed to:
  • Showcasing new work by National & International artists
  • Providing increased opportunities for education and creative participation through a workshop model.
  • Developing the Butter Market’s physical and environmental infrastructure to preserve and repurpose old buildings with provenance and sustainability being at the heart of our vision.
  • Providing artist residencies to emerging artists from both national and international backgrounds.
Our mission is to focus on powerful storytelling, sharing stories, celebrating different voices, and animating spaces with increased opportunities for making, creative participation and immersive experiences.

Subscribe now to our newsletter to keep up to date with our progress or register interest in exhibiting with us by email: kenmarebuttermarket@gmail.com 

Subscribe now to our newsletter to keep up to date with our progress or register interest in exhibiting with us by email