North Kerry

The Ring of North Kerry, although not without its mountain views, presents for the most part tranquil open countryside, stretching northwards to the mouth of the Shannon. This is a land with great literary tradition, centered around Listowel and a great Irish music tradition which sprang from the distinctive style created by the musicians of […]

Tralee is the capital of Kerry an expanding town of 20,000 people (and rising). It was founded in the 13th century by the Anglo – Normans and takes its name from the River Lee, which flows into Tralee Bay. By the 12th century it became the seat of the Earls of Desmond whose influence extended

On the northern shore, apart from being the ferry-port providing access to County Clare is also a favoured spot for shoreline fishing. Tarbert House was the 18th century home of the Leslies built about 1730, displays a fine collection of Georgian furniture, including one of the best examples of an Irish Chippendale mirror. Tarbert Jail:

Pronounced “Spaw” many people came here to take the waters of the local sulphur spring. Traces of the old Pump House still remain and the well from whence the water was drawn, as do many of the mansions built in this once fashionable suburb. On the foreshore nearby one can find springs rich in iron

Lixnaw in the 11th century was the seat of the Fitzmaurice family, the Earls of Kerry.  Nicolas, the 3rd Baron of Lixnaw in 1320 built a castle there and made vast improvements to the village and built the Old Bridge. However in 1600 Sir Chas Wilmot with his forces took the castle and made it

Due North from Castleisland lies the attractive town of Listowel, on the River Feale. Listowel appears for the first time in the Plea Roll of 1303-1304 as Lystothyl. In ecclesiastical taxation records of 1320 it appears as Lismokill, and in several other documents as Lissmoll,Lestowell, Lystuayl and Listowhil. It first appears as “Lios Tuathail” in

Situated 8 miles outside Tralee, reputed to be the birthplace of Saint Brendan.  Whatever else Fenit is, it is not a wild place. It is a sheltered, fertile place, warmed by the waters of the Gulf Stream, a haven by the sea to refresh the tired spirit. Another explanation to the meaning of Fenit is

Arriving in Kerry gets easier. There are daily flights from Stanstead, England, to Kerry Airport at Farranfore. There are also weekly services from Dusseldorf and Frankfurt, Germany. Car hire can be arranged at the Airport. Mass Rock: (Irish-Poll an Aifrinn) situated at Killaclohane Wood (Coill Chill an Chlochain) about 5 miles from Farranfore on the

This town lies due East of Tralee, Castleisland! The very name conjures up visions of ancient kingdoms and castles deep in the heart of Kerry. The castle at Castleisland is dated 1266. At this time the area North of the River Maine was known as Kerry and South of the River Maine was known as

Blennerville: (Irish- Cathair Ui Mhorain) on the approach to Tralee is Ireland’s only remaining commercially operated windmill. Built in 1780 and recently restored, it now produces 5 ton of ground wholemeal per week. Here also we find the terminus for the Tralee- Blennerville Steam Railway. This was originally part of the Tralee and Dingle line,