County Kerry - Heritage/Historical

1. Crosses (Historical)

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The Dingle Peninsula

The western end of the Dingle Peninsula, and its offshore islands, preserve a great many ancient monuments, many of which are in state care. They include some fine iron Age fortifications such ad Dunmore and Dunbeg; beehive huts (of various dates) used probably for secular purposes, including pilgrimage shelters, and forming settlements such as those near Glenfahan; Early Christian monuments such as monastic sites, cross-inscribed pillars, and small stone oratories; Ogham stones; a fine romanesque church at Kilmalkeadar, influenced by Cormac's chapel at Cashel, and a promontory fort at Dunanoir which played a tragic role in the Elizabethan wars. it is almost impossible to date most of these monuments, and even approximate dates are avoided below. some of these monuments display archaic characteristics and show features of a type of prehistoric architecture which have disappeared elsewhere, or are translations into stone of types of wooden buildings which have long since ceased to exist. They are listed below with numbers as they appear on the accompanying map. 62: Teampull Geal (White Church), Ballymorereagh Stone Oratory: An incomplete Early Christian stone oratory of the same type as Gallarus, with a flat-headed doorway. On top of the gable over the doorway is a finial which originally stood on top of the gable. Opposite the entrance is a pillar with a simple cross inscribed on each side and an Ogham inscription QENILOCI MAQI MAQI AINIA MUC, and the inscription in Latin FECT QUENILOC (made by Quenloc). 63/1 Great Blasket Island; church Ruins. No remains of a church actually survive. in the Sound between the island and the mainland, one of the ships of the Spanish Armada, the 'Santa Maria de la Rosa' sank in 1588. 63/2 Inishtooskert Oratory, Crosses and Beehive Huts: Ruins of a church, one nearly perfect and other imperfect beehive huts, as well as three crosses. 63/3 Inishvickillane Oratory, Cell and Cross: Remains of a stone oratory, a beehive cell and a cross. 64/1 Ballintaggart Ogham Stones: An old burial ground, its church long disappeared, but still containing a number of Ogham stones, some cigar shaped with rounded ends and two with crosses inscribed. The Ogham inscriptions read. MAQQI-IARI KOI MAQQI MUCCOI DOVVINIAS DOVETI MAQQI CATTINI SUVALLOS MAQQI DUCOVAROS (saull (grand)son of Dochar) MAQI-DECCEDA MAQI GLASICONAS TRIA MAQA MAILAGNI (3 sons of Mailagnos); on the other side CURCITTI INISSIONAS CUNUMAQQI AVI CORBRI (Cormac Grandson of Coirpre) NETTA-LAMINACCA KOI MAQQI MUCOI DOVIN.S. Very few of these, as usual, are translatable. 64/2 Garfinny Cemetery A cemetery which originally contained a church. 65/1 Gallarus Castle: One of the few surviving castles on the Dingle Peninsula, this is a four-storey tower of the 15th or 16th century with a vaulted ceiling on the 4th floor. its round-headed and pointed windows are of an archaic type. It was built by the Knight of Kerry before 1600. Legend tells of a chief on his deathbed who wanted to be carried to the window of the castle to take one last look at the waves of Smerwick Harbour. His servants propped him up at the window, making many attempts to get him back to bed. But finally he made no reply and they saw that he had died looking out over the waves of his beloved bay. 65/2 Kilmalkedar Church, Cross, Ogham Stone, Alphabet Stone, Sundial and St. Brendan's House: This is one of the most important ecclesiastical sites in the whole of the Dingle Peninsula. The early history of the site is associated with St. Maolcethair who died in 636. The church is 12th century Romanesque, consisting of a nave and chancel. Animal heads can be seen at the top of the antae. Part of the original stone roof is still preserved. The Romanesque doorway has a tympanum with a head on one side and an imaginary beast on the other. The chancel arch also bears Romanesque decoration. The chancel was enlarged, probably some time around 1200. The blind colonnade on the interior walls of the nave shows, together with the tympanum, that this church has been strongly influenced by Cormac's Chapel in Cashel. In side the church is a stone inscribed with a cross; there is another with the Alphabet inscribed. in the graveyard outside are a very attractive early sundial, a large cross carved out of stone, and an Ogham stone with the inscription ANM MAILE-INBIR MACI BROCANN(The name of mael Inbir son of Brocan). About 150 Yards north-east if St. Brendan's House, a two-storey medieval building which probably served as the priest's residence. its walls are thick, and are wider at the bottom. 66 Gallarus Oratory and Inscribed Stone: the most perfectly preserved of the boat-shaped oratories in Co. Kerry. it has a flat-headed doorway, inside which are stones from which a door or curtain hung, and a small round-headed east window. in shape it resembles an upturned boat, and all its walls slope inwards towards the top. Nearby is a cross-inscribed stone. 67 Illauntannig, Maharee Islands Old Monastic Enclosure, Church etc. This wind-swept island is called after St. Senan who founded a monastery here. Inside the old stone wall which surrounded the monastery are tow stone oratories, one with a doorway with sloping sides, and with herring-bone masonry in the south wall, the second with a white cross over the door. There are three beehive huts and three burial-places. About 100 yards from the old stone wall is a cross. 156/1-5 Glenfahan Beehive Settlements: A number of separate conglomerations of beehive dwellings surrounded by walls. Caher Murphy is oval, and was full of buildings which must have had dark interiors and which had souterrains inside. Passages inside the walls without apparent access may have got their present shape through reconstruction. Caher Martin is circular with a series of huts varying in shape from round to rectangular. A souterrain inside has been filled in. There is a 'sentry-box' at the entrance. Caher Conor is very similar, though smaller. There are also a number of other groups of huts beside these, some of which may have been in use up till the last century; others have even been built in this century. 177 Dubeg Promontory Fort: A fine (Iron Age?) promontory fort with four outer defensive banks of stone and earth cutting off a tongue of land which falls precipitously to the Atlantic Ocean below. Inside these banks is a strong stone wall which was originally straight but became curved during a later reconstruction. The inner half of the wall is the older; the outer portion was added as a strengthened later. Inside the fort are the remains of a house which is round on the outside and square on the inside, and also the remains of a beehive hut. There is also a souterrain leading from the interior to the front of the defences. Excavations suggested a date around the 10th century A.D. 184 Caherconree Inland Promontory Fort: A stone wall, 350 feet long, and 14 feet thick, which cuts off a tongue of land 2,050 feet above sea level. there is a shallow ditch outside the wall, and there appear to have been terraces on the inside wall. The original entrance may have been about 90 feet from the northern end. The story says that the fort was built by Cu Roi. He defeated and degraded CuChulainn by a gross insult, carrying off CuChulainn's girl-friend Blathnad. But Blathnad helped CuChulainn was waiting for a sign from Blathnad as to when he should attack the lofty fort where Cu Roi kept her. She poured milk into a stream which became white, and when CuChulainn and his men saw this, they attacked and killed Cu Roi. 221/1 Arraglen Ogham Stone with Inscribed Cross: A pillar, now lying on the ground at a height of about 2,000 feet, with a Greek cross inscribed in a circle, and bearing the Ogham inscription QRIMITIR RONANN MAQ COMOGANN (Ronan the priest, son of Comgan). 221/7-12 Ballyavenoora

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2. Heritage Centres

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Blasket Islands

The most westerly land in Europe are a unique group of islands, inhabited for thousands of years, they were finally abandoned in 1953, when the last inhabitants were moved to the mainland. On the Great Blasket, life has stood still, there is no electricty, no phone, no television, no cars, only the sound of the sea, the cry of the gulls, unspoilt beaches, extraordinary bird life an a uniquely peaceful atmosphere.
No similar sized community in any part of te world has produced such a wealt of great literature. We recommend that you come early, visit the houses of the famous writers, swim on the magnificent Wite Strand, or walk back the four miles to the west end of the Island. The Island café povides the best of home cooking at very reasonable prices. Return to Dun Chaoin in late afternoon.

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3. Railway Museums

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Tralee & Dingle Light Railway

The Tralee-Blennerville section of the narrow-gauge line is open and trips run in summer on the track between Ballyard (near the Aqua Dome) and Blennerville Windmill. Travel behind loco no 5T, the only surviving T&DLR engine. On-board commentary. The train is powered by T. & D. Loco No. 5 - the last surviving Tralee & Dingle engine - and the passenger carriages are fitted out in the traditional style. An exclusive range of railway mementos is available on board.

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4. Towers (Round)

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Aghadoe Church and round Tower

An old monastery was founded here by St. Finian the Leper in the 7th century. It is referred to as existing in 992, and a stone church here is mentioned in 1044. The western part of the existing church is the oldest. It was finished in 1158 by Auliff Mor na Cuimsionach, a member of the O'Donoghue family, who was buried here in 1166. It has a Romanesque west doorway, with the innermost order plain, and the two outer ones bearing Romanesque decoration. The east window, with a head and a flower at the intersection, was inserted in the 13th century. The eastern part of the church was added at about the same period; a part of the eastern portion may have served as living quarters at some stage. On top of the south wall is an Ogham stone bearing the inscription BRRUANANN. The nearby round Tower has been much altered, but it still stands to a height of about 22 feet. Parkavonear Castle: In a field to the south-west of the church is a round castle dating from the 13th century. The two storeys which remain are joined by a staircase within the wall, and the first floor has the remains of a fireplace. It stands in the middle of a roughly square enclosure surrounded by a wall and moat. Nothing is known of its history, though it is traditionally known as 'The Bishop's Chair or Pulpit'.

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5. Monuments

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The Speir Bhean Monument

The Speir Bhean (spirit woman) monument situated opposite the Franciscan Friary was erected to commemorate Kerry's four leading poets; Piaras Feirtear (1616-1653); Geoffrey O'Donoghue (1620 - 1690); Aogan O Rahilly (1670 - 1726) and Eoghan Rua O'Sullivan (1748 - 1784). Piaras Feirtear was hanged where the Friary now stands.

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6. Interpretative Centre

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Kerry the Kingdom

Kerry the Kingdom is one of Ireland's top visitor attractions. It comprises 3 superb elements: Kerry In Colour: The Multi-image audio-visual presentation Kerry In Colour brings the visitor on a tour of County Kerry: its spectacular scenery, historic monuments, towns and traditions. Kerry County Museum: The Kerry County Museum is a new and exciting departure for Irish Museums. Priceless archaelogical treasures stand side-by-side with the most modern interpretive media. The museum is 'Visitor friendly' with history brought to life by the imaginative use of slide presentations, scale models, and audio and video displays. The Kerry Today section has live link-ups with Radio Kerry and the Irish language station, Radio Na Gaeltachta. Geraldine Tralee:
Geraldine Tralee is an unique experience of urban life in medieval Ireland. Visitors are brought back in time to the Middle Ages and are ferried by time car through the reconstructed streets, houses and abbey of Medieval Tralee. Special sound, lighting and odour effects help to make this an almost life-like experience. Synchronised commentaries are provided in a choice of 8 languages. And it never rains in Geraldine Tralee!. Commentaries provided in Irish, English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Dutch and Japanese. The Ashe Memorial Hall also houses a Café, Craft Shop and the Tralee Tourist Information Office. Temporary Exhibitions "From Marconi to the Music of the Stars" for 1996.

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7. Local Tours

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killarney Boating and Tour Centre

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8. Cathedrals (Historical)

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Carrigafoyle Castle

High above the Shannon estuary, just west of Ballylongford, this 15th century castle belonged to the O'Connor clan, who ruled much of northern Kerry. The English besieged or sacked it repeatedly but the body blow was delivered in 1649 by Cromwellian forces. The ruins include a keep and walled courtyard, with romantic views of the estuary from the top of the tower, reached by a spiral staircase.

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9. Archaeological

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Ballyferriter Museum

Local archaeology, natural history, and history as well as periodic temporary exhibitions.

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10. Castles (Historical)

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Ross Castle

Ross Castle, Killarney, Co. Kerry may be considered a typical example of the stronghold of an Irish Chieftain during the Middle Ages. The date of its foundation is unsure but it was probably built in the early 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 latter half of the 17th century. Inside, the hall is small, there is a circular stone staircase in the north east corner and this leads directly to all the chambers and eventually to the parapets. The most important chamber is the Great Hall and this is situated at the uppermost level, it has two large six-light windows. The finest fireplace is located here and this room would have been the centre of activity in the castle. At one end separated by an oak partition is a kitchen and above this a minstrel's gallery. The castle contains 15th and 17th century furniture.

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11. Forts (Historical)

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Dunbeg

Promontory and Hill forts 500 BC - 500 AD Defence Structures and Refuge of last Resort during the Iron Age.

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12. Homes (Historical)

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Glendalough House

The many natural charms of Glendalough House, which was built 150 years ago, enhance the comfortable and gracious surroundings for those who stay. Antique furnishings and old paintings complement its old world atmosphere. Just a short distance from the shores of caragh lake, it is a warm country house with mature gardens and panoramic views of the lake and Ireland's highest mountain range, the McGillycuddy's Reeks. If you seek activity there is deep sea, trout and salmon fishing, golf on a range of championship courses, windsurfing, woodland walks and hill climbing. Ghillies are available. All year round the Ring of Kerry is a beautiful and interesting tour. Home cooking makes use of local produce like fine Caragh salmon and succulent mountain lamb and there are open fires by which you can relax in a warm and friendly atmosphere. All rooms have baths en suite and there is central heating throughout.

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13. Museums

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Ballyferriter Museum

Local archaeology, natural history, and history as well as periodic temporary exhibitions.

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14. Monastic Sites

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Kilmalkedar

The ancient monastery of Kilmalkedar, founded in the seventh century by St Maolcathair, is one of the foremost Early Christian sites of the Dingle Peninsula. The existing church is a twelfth-century building consisting of a nave to which a chancel was added at a later date, as was the usual practice. Many of the features which typify Irish Romanesque architecture are present. The bold antae with animal-head decoration are well preserved, as is the round-headed doorway with blank tympanum. The high pitched gables (one with finial) survive intact, but of the original barrel-vaulted roof only the merest fragments remain. In the nave is a good example of blind colonnading, recalling Cormac's Chapel at Cashel, with which it is often compared. late-Romanesque geometric motifs adorn the columns of the chancel arch. A number of interesting objects stand outside the church. These include a tall slender Ogham stone perforated with a circular hole near the top; a large ringless cross devoid of any decoration and therefore possibly unfinished; and a beautiful sundial stone marked in segments corresponding to the divisions of the monastic day.

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15. Historic Hotels

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Great Southern Hotel

The grandfather of poet Robert Graves rented the original house at Parknasilla as a summer residence. It was bought by Southern Hotels, who in 1890 erected a new hotel nearby, designed by the architect of the Park Hotel and Ashford Castle. Southern Railways, who found themselves in the curious position of owning a winter resort hotel nowhere near a rail station. Their passengers had to be conveyed by horse and carriage the not inconsiderable fifteen miles from Kenmare. The view is magnificent: the bay is spread out before the hotel and is scattered with small islands - the hotel owns two, and you can walk to them over a footbridge and picnic there if you wish. There is also a little private rocky cove, hidden beside the indoor pool, where sailing boats and a motor boat for water skiing await your pleasure. There are large, well-tended grounds with palm trees, horses if you wish to ride, and a prize winning village to explore a few miles down the road. The staff are particularly delightful. The hotel has been entirely refurbished and a new wing added since its Victorian heyday. Bedrooms have good modern bathrooms and are close capeted. Furnishings are in pleasant plain shades, in no way frilly or country-house, but everywhere is spotless. A large sun-lounge sitting room provides promptly served freshly-prepared snacks; a more formal drawing room has chandeliers and a large fireplace, where a fire is lit each evening; the dining room has sea views and pleasant peach-coloured decor. The food is tasty, the service impeccable. The Ring of Kerry on which the hotel stands is one of Ireland's most noted beauty spots. Great bushes of crimson fuchsias and clusters of orange day-lilies line the narrow road which circles the Kerry Peninsula. Parknasilla does not have designer-chic, but it does have a finer setting and far better service and food than many places with far greater pretentions.

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16. Maritime Museums

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Mammoth undertaking

When a 40 tonne Fin Whale, one the biggest of its kind, was washed up dead on Ballyheigue beach two years ago, people flocked from far and near to gaze on this wonder of the deep. Now thanks to the villagers' enterprise, the skeleton of the 63-foot mammoth is mounted and on public display in Ballyheigue Maritime Centre. Well worth a visit, the centre also houses many other marine exhibits.

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17. Stones (Historical)

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Ardcannaght Ogham Stones

One large standing stone and two fragmentary Ogham stones bearing the slightly dubious inscriptions V MAQI and LMCDV.

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18. Jails (Historical)

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Tarbert Jail

Ireland in the 1830's: These were hard years for the Irish people. In these difficult and unsettled times, punishment was handed out often and harshly. One poor soul to suffer under this system was Thomas Dillon. As you experience the Bridewell Courthouse and Jail you will follow the horror of the judicial regime of the 1830's and the fate of Thomas Dillon. This is an experience of the past, the scenes, the sounds, the character expressions. These all add to the authentic atmosphere of that time.

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19. Abbeys

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Killagha Augustinian Abbey

The Abbey was erected on the site of an older monastery of St. Colman some time after 1216 by Geoffrey de Marisco for the Canons Regular of St. Augustine and dedicated to Our Blessed Lady. In 1302 it was the third richest monastery in the Diocese of Ardfert, and its Prior was a Lord of Parliament. Only the church, with a single long nave, remains. The windows, doors and niches of sandstone are of 13th century date, while the limestone work, including the fine east window, was inserted in the 15th century. The Abbey was suppressed in 1576 and the domestic buildings to the south were destroyed by Cromwell's soldiers.

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20. Friaries

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Killarney Muckross Friary

Muckross Friary: The Friary was probably founded by Donal McCarthy around 1448 for the Observantine Franciscans, and completed by about 1475. It is one of the best preserved of the Irish Franciscan friaries. The eastern part of the church was begun first and the western part later. The south transept was added around 1500. The tower, which was inserted after the church was built, is the only Franciscan tower in Ireland which is as wide as the church. The most remarkable part of the friary is the cloister with an old yew tree in the centre surrounded by a cloister arcade different on each side, indicating various building phases. There are buildings on the first floor above it. on the east side was possibly the monks' day room, and above it a dormitory. On the north side lay a store, above which was the refectory with a kitchen beside it. The ground floor on the western side was probably a cellar, while the Guardian lived on the first floor. To the north of the choir of the church is a three-storey building; the ground floor was the Sacristy while the sacristan probably lived on the floor above. The Friary was suppressed in 1541. In 1587 it was leased to the Earl of Clancarty and in 1595 to Captain Collum. The Friary was formally re-established in 1612 after it had been re-occupied and partially restored in 1602. The restoration work was completed by 1626, but the community had to leave again in 1629. shortly afterwards the friars returned once more, but were finally driven out by the Cromwellians in 1652.

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21. Monastery

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Ballinskelligs Monastery

This monastery was founded for monks who came to the mainland here from the offshore island of Skellig Michael in the 12th or 13th century. As with their former monastery, this one was also dedicated to St. Michael. The buildings have been partially eroded by the sea. The two remaining churches seem to date however from the 15th century, and have windows and a door with dressed stones. Adjoining one of the churches is a 15th century cloister garth with a large hall on the other side of it.

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22. Windmills

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Blennerville Windmill

The 200 year old working windmill is the centrepiece of a major craft and visitor complex which includes a multi-lingual audio-visual presentation on the history of Blennerville and an exhibition on 19th century emigration from Co. Kerry.

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23. Mills (Historical)

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Kerry Woollen Mills

The older mill buildings date from the 17th Century, when a woollen manufacturing industry was established in this pleasant rural area near the MacGillycuddy Reeks. The nearby river was harnessed to drive a wooden water turbine. This was replaced in 1928 by a steel unit, which still provides 50 horse power for part of today's requirements. The excellent quality soft water is used for washing and dyeing the cloth. The full range of woollen manufacturing processes has been carried out in this location from early times to present day. The older buildings have recently been refurbished to provide better facilities for visitors. Tours of the mill production are available at certain times, (Advance booking advisable). A wide range of information on the processes are available. Visitors are invited to visit the mill shop, which stocks a unique range of fine quality woollen goods, and other Irish made crafts. Round off the visit by enjoying a delicious homemade snack in the tea-room.

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24. Stone Circles

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Dunloe

Seven of the eight Ogham stones in this group were discovered in a souterrain at Coolmagort in the nineteenth century and have been set up on this site close to Dunloe castle. The tallest stone is 8 feet high. There is also a prostrate slab taken from the grounds of nearby Kilbonane church. Ogham stones were frequently used as lintels in the construction of underground passages. Because of their long protection from exposure, the Dunloe inscriptions are unusually well preserved. All are of a commemorative nature, as is usual in these monuments.

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25. Farmsteads

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Farmworld Camp

For the visitors who come to the Dingle Peninsula, a visit to Farmland will provide a unique insight into Irish farming and the rural way of life.
Most of the animals at Farmland can be hand-fed providing a perfect opportunity for children to interact with them while our unique indoor and outdoor play areas have proved to be a firm favourite with children of all ages.
Fascinating farm animals will delight visitors of all ages and include rare breeds of sheep, cattle, pigs, goats, horses and water fowl.

Facilities:
Indoor children's playground and pets.
7.000 sq ft indoor facilities.
Disabled facilities.
Great photographic opportunities.
Tea, coffee and light snacks served all day.
Picnic area.

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