History
The Earls of Kenmare, whose mansion was situated a few minutes walk from West End House, played a very important part in the development of Killarney and its Tourism industry.
They built all of new street including West End House. The slates on the roof of West End House are the same slates used on the houses of Westminster in London. they in fact came from the slate quarry on Valentia Island. The upstairs bay windows are still the original ones.
In 1894 Lady Kenmare founded a school for teaching wood carving in West End. A teacher from the school designed and carved the stations of the cross for the St. Mary's Catholic Cathedral. These have since been moved to the Franciscan Friary on the opposite side of town.
Killarney School of Housewifery
West End was a presbytery for some time and it was the local headquarters for the national army during world war two.
There were a number of private owners also.
In 1986 careful adaptation for its use as a restaurant was undertaken and the character of this historic house has been retained.
In early 2004 West End House was awarded a listing as a protected building. This is due to the buildings note and importance in the history of Killarney.
