historical ireland kerry

The first monastery on this scenically situated island in Lough Leane is said to have been founded by St. Finian the Leper in the 7th century. It was twice plundered by the Vikings. Its most renowned monk, Maelsuthain O'Carroll, 'chief doctor of the Western world of his time' and a friend of the High King Brian Boru, died in 1009. It flourished in the 12th century until it was plundered in 1180 by Maiilduin, son of Donal O'Donoghue. However, it survived this shock and remained such a centre...

Listowel Castle is famous for being the birth place of Earl Kitchener of Khartoum. He is best known for his sombre face, and accusing finger, with the caption "Your Country Needs You," on recruitment posters during World War I.

The monument of a less loyal family are the ruins of Listowel Castle, the last bastion against Queen Elizabeth. It was built in the 15th century by a McGilligan. It was the last fortress of the Desmond's to be subdued. It fell to Sir Charles Wilmo...

This fort dates back to the Iron age and is a fascinating example of a promontory fort. There is a visitor centre which presents a ten minute audio visual display on the history of the fort....

Located on the beautiful Ring of Kerry is Staigue Fort. It is not known for what the fort was used but Staigue Fort represents a considerable feat in engineering and construction. It was built without the use of mortar, using just stones placed at a slight angle, lower on the outside than the inside to allow water to run off.

Most famous of the great circular stone cashels, Staigue is also one of the best preserved and conveys a fair idea of how the larger Iron Age fortifications...

Once home to the famous Irishman, Daniel O Connell, Derrynane House now displays many relics of O Connell’s life and of his career as a lawyer, politician and statesman. There are also 120 hectares of parkland to roam as well as fabulous scenic sites to be seen.
Opened as a museum in 1967, Derrynane House has been a popular site amongst tourists ever since. Furnished with family portraits, writings and a great many items relating to Daniel O’Connell’s political life, it...

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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 flowe...

The Story of Kenmare and Mapped Heritage Trail.
The Heritage Centre covers themes such as: Kenmare Lace Exhibition (Lace Making Displays), Famous Visitors to Kenmare, The Nun of Kenmare, The History of Kenmare, Historical Sites in Kenmare, The Effects of the Famine on Kenmare, The Landlords of Kenmare.

Personal Sound Tours:
One of the features of the exhibition is the provision of personal Sound Tours, these are personal headsets which give each visitor an extra dim...

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. A...

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. A...