COUNTY KERRY - ATTRACTIONS

Ardfert Cathedral

Ardfert
A monastery was founded here by St. Brendan 'The Navigator' in the 6th century. There are three medieval churches, an ogham stone and a number of early Christian and medieval grave slabs on the site today. The earliest building is the cathedral which dates from the 12th to 17th centuries. It has a fine Romanesque west doorway, a magnificent 13th century east window and a spectacular row of nine lancets in the south wall. Two effigies of ecclesiastical figures of late 13th to early 14th century date are mounted on either side of the east window. The battlements were added in the 15th century. The pre-12th century block of masonry is clearly visible in the north wall. One of the two smaller churches is a fine example of late Romanesque and the other is a plain 15th century structure with an interesting carving of a wyvern on one of the windows. Access for people with disabilities to exhibition area and viewing point.


Celtic and Pre-Historic Museum

Ventry
The Celtic and prehistoric Museum was founded by Harris Moore ten years ago and has since grown to become one of the foremost resources for pre-history in Ireland. Its large collection of artifacts, dating from 500 million years ago until the middle ages, have amazed and captivated the many visitors making the museum one of the most popular venues in the area. The museum's seven rooms of history take you on a tour of our past. Starting with prehistoric fossils you are guided through the stone age with its Goddess figurines, the bronze age full of exquisite jewelry and the iron age complete with weaponry.

Crag Cave

Castleisland
Discovered in 1983 and thought to be over one million years old Crag Cave is a magical wonderland of stalagmites and stalactites. It is an all weather visitor attraction Located in Castleisland Co. Kerry 2 km off the N21. Come & visit our new Garden Restaurant (seating capacity 100+) and sample our delicious new summer menu. We also have an exciting new Gift Shop with exclusive ranges of gifts, crafts, souvenirs, jewellery, clothing, books & toys. Guided Tours of the cave leave every 20 minutes & last approximately half an hour.Located 2km outside Castleisland town just off the N21.

Gallarus Castle

Ballydavid
Gallarus Castle was built by the FitzGeralds and is probably 15th century in date. It is one of the few surviving castles on the Dingle peninsula. It is a four-storey tower with a vaulted ceiling on the fourth floor; none of its battlements remain. Conservation works have been undertaken at the castle in recent years and the interior is fully accessible. The tower was accessed originally on the 1st floor and there was a two storey defensive structure to the front, now gone but evidence of it can be seen on the external wall. Restricted access for visitors with disabiltiies. No car parking at site.

Gallarus Oratory

Ballydavid
One of the most famous landmarks on the Dingle Peninsula and situated close to Gallarus Castle. The Oratory is completely made of stone and some way it resembles an upturned boat. Various dates have been suggested for its construction but an exact archeological artifacts are to be found on the grounds of the Oratory. The Oratory and grounds are carefully maintained by the OPW.

The Kerry Bog Village

Glenbeigh
The Kerry Bog Village Museum, located on the beautiful 'Ring of Kerry', gives people an insight into how people lived and worked in Ireland in the 18th Century. The village is the only one of its kind in Europe. The village was well researched prior to being recreated. Great care was taken to ensure the dwellings that visitors see before them, are exact replicas of those used in Ireland in the early 1800's. Old sites were visited, old ruins measured, and old documents consulted. A tribute to the Turf cutters of Ireland.
Located between the towns of Killorglin and Glenbeigh on the Ring of Kerry road.

The Kerry County Museum

Tralee
Kerry County Museum is located in the Ashe Memorial Hall, a fine example of public architecture in the centre of Tralee. The building is named after Thomas Ashe, a Kerryman who was a member of the Irish Volunteers and who died on hunger strike while imprisoned in Mountjoy in 1917.The Museum aims to collect, record, preserve, display and communicate material relating to the archaeological, historical and cultural heritage of County Kerry. The Museum began collecting in 1992 and now has over 4,000 objects in its own collection.

Killarney National Park

Killarney
The National Park comprises of 24,700 acres of beautiful lake and mountain scenery. The Park is famous for its' native natural habitats and species including oakholly woods, yew woods and red deer. The National Park Visitor Centre (located at Muckross House) and the Information Point at Torc Waterfall provide information on all aspects of the park. Access for visitors with disabilities to The Visitor Centre. The Education Centre, located at Knockreer House, provides a range of courses related to nature conservation and the ecology of The National Park for school children, students and other groups.

Listowel Castle

Listowel
The construction date of the earliest castle at Listowel dates to the 13th century but the present castle was probably built in the 15th century by the FitzMaurices. The castle stands on an elevation on a steep bank, overlooking the river Feale, above the location of a strategic ford. A substantial part of the front of the castle survives consisting of two large, square towers of four storeys, standing almost to the original height of 50 feet, connected by a wall of the same height and linked together by an arch on one side. A major program of conservation works has been undertaken at the castle including the provision of an external staircase to allow public access to the upper levels.

Muckross House

Killarney
Within Killarney National Park is Muckross House, a magnificent Victorian mansion and one of Ireland's leading stately homes. The elegantly furnished rooms portray the lifestyles of the landed gentry, while downstairs in the basement one can experience the working conditions of the servants employed in the House. The Gardens at Muckross House are renowned world-wide for their beauty. In particular they are noted for their fine collections of azaleas and rhododendrons, an extensive water garden, and an outstanding rock garden hewn out of natural limestone. Muckross House is also home to a number of skilled craft workers who can be viewed using traditional skills in the crafts of weaving, bookbinding and pottery in the adjacent walled garden centre. Access for visitors with disabilities, including platform lifts and elevators. Located 4 miles from Killarney Town on the Kenmare Road.

Muckross Traditional Farm

Killarney
Muckross Traditional Farms preserves in real life the farming traditions of rural Ireland in the past. Three separate working farms, with a range of farm animals including traditional Kerry cows and farm machinery will help you relive the past. Muckross Traditional Farms takes you back to a time before the advent of electricity when all work was carried out using traditional methods. Meet and chat with the farmers and their wives as they go about their daily work in the houses, on the land, and with the animals. A complimentary vintage coach operates around the Traditional Farms for the benefit of elderly and physically challenged visitors. Full access for visitors with disabilities. Located 4 miles from Killarney Town on the Kenmare Road.

Muckross Abbey

Killarney
This Franciscan Friary was founded in the 15th century and is in a remarkable state of preservation. The tower was added after the church was built and is the only Franciscan tower in Ireland which is as wide as the church. The cloister and its associated buildings are complete and an old yew tree stands in the centre. The monks were finally driven out by the Cromwellians in 1652. Located 3 miles from Killarney Town on the Kenmare Road.

Ross Castle

Killarney
This Castle may be considered a typical example of the stronghold of an Irish Chieftain during the Middle Ages. The date of its foundation is uncertain but it was probably built in the late 15th century by one of the O'Donoghue Ross chieftains. It is surrounded by a fortified bawn, its curtain walls defended by circular flanking towers, two of which remain. Much of the bawn was removed by the time the Barrack building was added on the south side of the castle sometime in the middle of the 18th century. The castle contains 16th and 17th century oak furniture. Access for people with disabilities to the ground floor only by prior arrangement. Located in Killarney National Park.

Skellig Michael

Portmagee
The magnificent Skellig Islands lie 8 miles off the coast of Portmagee in South West Kerry. Rising majestically from the sea, Skellig Michael towers 714 feet above sea level. On the summit of this awe inspiring rock you will find a remarkably well-preserved sixth century monastic settlement. The earliest reference in history to the Skellig Islands dates back to 1400BC. During the time of the Penal Laws, Skellig Michael and Little Skellig became a haven for many Catholics whose beliefs and rights were being suppressed. The largest of the Skelligs is Skellig Michael (Sceilg Mhichil) and was home to one of the earliest monastic settlements in Ireland. These monks of St. Fionan's monastery led simple lives and lived in stone, beehive shaped huts. They would descend the 670 steps early every morning and fish for the morning's breakfast. They would spend most of the day praying in the church, tending to their gardens and studying. These huts, which were round on the outside and rectangular on the inside, were carefully built so that no drop of rain ever entered between the stones. The monks left the island in the thirteenth century and it became a place of pilgrimage. There is a fantastic wealth of bird life on and around the Skelligs, especially puffins in late spring and gannets on the small Skellig where 23,000 pairs nest on every available ledge making it the second largest gannet colony in the world. 7 mile boat trip from Portmagee.