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County Kerry is renowned the world over for its
beautiful scenery, including Irelands highest mountain
Carrantuohill (1,040 metres 3,414 feet) the Lakes of Killarney,
it beautiful sandy beaches, cliffs and rocky headlands.
No trip to Kerry is complete without including the panoramic
Ring of Kerry drive on the Iveragh Peninsula. It stretches South
West from Killarney for 65km (40 miles) and takes you
through the towns of Kenmare, Sneem, Waterville, Cahirciveen,
Glenbeigh, and Killorglin.
The Dingle Peninsula stretches Westward for 50 km (30 miles) from
Tralee to Dunquin. the western end of the Peninsula has
magnificent coastal scenery and is an Irish speaking district.
Many famous festival are held in Kerry each year. Listowel has
its Writers Week, Tralee offers the famous Rose Festival,
Killorglin the Puck Fair.
The origin of the expression "The Kingdom" Ciar raige anglicised Kerry means Ciar's Kingdom or Kingdom of Ciar. Ciar was the progenitor of the O'Connor Kerry Clan. Around 65 AD Ciar took possession of an area of land stretching from the river Maine in the south and the Shannon estuary in the north and included the peninsula of Corca Duibhne or Dingle Peninsula. This territory at the time was known as Clar na Cliabh or The Plain of Swords.
By the 6th century it was known as Ciarraige or Ciar's Kingdom. It is mentioned in a 6th Century Manuscript as Ciarraige of the Plain Swords a combination of the old and the new name at the time.
The river known by the anglicised name Cashen in Gaelic is known as Casan Ciarraige Luachra or The Pathway to The Kingdom of Ciar of the Rushes. It was one of the important petty kingdoms of ancient Ireland and the only one of incorporate the word Kingdom as part of its name."
The Ciarrai, from whom the name of the county derives, invaded and occupied the region in early historical times. They claimed descent from Ciar, son of Fergus, a legendary king of Ulster. In the middle ages Kerry was divided between the kingdoms of Thomond in the north and Desmond in the south, dominated by the O'Briens and the McCarthys respectively. It was later dominated by the Norman Fitzgeralds.
Tralee sits in the shelter of Tralee Bay, with a panaroma of sea and mountains stretching into the west. Lying in the heart of Kerry, the coast, lakes and mountains of the Kingdom are all within arm's reach.The town is the capital of the county, the hub of its affairs. Founded by the Normans in 1216, the town has known many rebellions. One of Tralee's main attractions is Kerry County Museum with its theme park "Kerry the Kingdom". It offers three exhibitions: an audio visual show of Kerry scenery, a display of archeological finds and a time travel experience through medieval Tralee. It is well worth a visit and kids love it. Set against the backdrop of a western sky, the broad white tower and circling sails of the Blennerville windmill stand out from the landscape. The windmill has been a landmark in Tralee since 1780 and has in recent years been revived as the largest working mill in Ireland. It was built by Sir Roland Blennershasset in the 1700s.
The town formed part of the ancient kingdom of Ciar which dated from the first century. By the 12th century, Tralee had grown to a fortified town and was the seat of the Earl of Desmond. In 1213, the Dominican Monastery was founded.
Tralee's history is explained in the Kerry County Museum. One of Tralee's main attractions is the theme park "Kerry the Kingdom". It offers three exhibitions: an audio visual show of Kerry scenery, a display of archaeological finds and a time travel experience through medieval Tralee. It is well worth a visit and children will enjoy it.
KILLARNEY (Cill Airne: The Church of the Sloes). Sites of interest in the town reflect it's strong religious and educational history. Killarney was a Church foundation from the 5th or 6th Century, house settlement began here from around 1500.
Established when the Muckross Estate was donated to the nation in 1932, the park covers 10,000 hectares of mountain, moorland, parkland and waterway. This is an area of unusual and diverse geology due to a variety of reasons. The major geological boundary which divides the park, the different altitudes of the area and the climactic influence of the Gulf Stream in the region are all contributory factors.
Muckross House is a beautifully situated base from which to explore the wonderful sights and scenery of Killarney. Built in 1843 and presented to the nation in 1932, the house is now a folk museum which portrays the lifestyles of the gentry and the serving classes of the 19th century. The gardens of Muckross are also of great interest to the visitor. Rich in Rhododendron and Azaleas during the season, the garden is also famed for its extensive watergarden.
killorglin, on the south-west of Kerry, approximately thirty five miles from Dingle, is situated along the Laune river. The main sources of income in Killorglin are agriculture and tourism and there are several craft shops and guest houses in the town.
Situated in the geographical heart of Kerry along the Laune River, the first stop on the way out of Killarney is the town of Killorglin. This lively town situated on a hill is best known for one of Ireland's oldest, longest and probably most unusual celebrated festivals – Puck Fair.
This annual event celebrated over three days in August honours an event during Cromwellian Ireland when a stampede of wild goats ran through the town warning the residents of the approach of Cromwell's Army. To celebrate this event a goat is captured and enthroned on a pedestal. The town really celebrates this historical event in style with a number of other events held in the town as well as the capturing of the goat.
Founded in 1670, though many generations have passed since then, the unique charm and inherent beauty of the town remains unchanged. The Tourist Board, Bórd Fáilte, officially recognised the historical, cultural and environmental significance of Kenmare by bestowing upon it the title of Kerry's first Heritage Town.
The Ring of Kerry, known all over the world, follows the coastline of the Iveragh peninsula. It is one of the most dramatic scenic drives in the country and makes a most exciting day tour. Along the 175km route are picturesque villages, an abundance of historical landmarks, sandy coves and beaches.
Dingle
The West of the Dingle peninsula has
inspired films like "Ryan's Daughter" and "Far and
Away". A place rich in tradition, literature and culture,
where native Gaelic prospers alongside modern languages, where
the perfect harmony created by nature restores the spirit, where
you can relax and enjoy the scenery, the flora and fauna, the
art, the crafts, the culture, the archaeology, the wine and food,
or just meet the people