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Ballyseede Castle,
Tralee, Co Kerry |
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Ballyseede Castle, Tralee Ireland, is an
impressive building and has a history
dating back to the 1590’s. Wonderfully
transformed into a hotel in 1965,
Ballyseede Castle offers 23
ensure-bedrooms. Three function rooms
and beautiful reception rooms and an
enchanting formal garden. |
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Ballyheigue Castle,
Co Kerry |
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Ballyheigue Castle
near Tralee, Co Kerry, now host to the
Ballyheigue Golf Club. The Crosbie
family, who owned the land since
Elizabeth I awarded it to them in the
16th century, built the castle in 1812.
A good portion of the castle was burned
down by the IRA during the War of
Independence, which spanned from 1918 to
'21. The remains of it are said to be
haunted. A paranormal experience was
reported in the 1960s on the anniversary
of the Danish Silver Raid that took
place on these grounds in 1731. |
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Carrigafoyle Castle, Ballylongford, Co Kerry |
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Carrigafoyle Castle - built by
Conor Liath O'Connor-Kerry in the 1490s,
and considered one of the strongest of
Irish fortresses - was a large tower
house, of the type particularly common
across the north of the province of
Munster. It stood on a rock in a small
bay off the Shannon estuary.
The castle was referred to as the
guardian of the Shannon, because of its
strategic command of the shipping lanes
that supplied the trading city of
Limerick, some 20 miles (32 km) upriver.
The bay at Carrigafoyle was shielded
from the estuary on the northern side by
a wooded island. |
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Dunbeg Fort, Co Kerry |
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Built in the Iron Age, Dunbeg Fort is an
impressive and elabourate example of a
promontory fort. Its location makes it
one of the most dramatic archaeological
sites on the Dingle Peninsula. It is
built on a sheer cliff which projects
South into Dingle Bay, at the base of
Mount Eagle on the Slea Head Road. The
Visitor Centre above the Stone House
Restaurant features a 10 minute
audio-visual presentation on the history
of Dun Beg Fort. |
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The Gallarus Oratory |
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The Gallarus Oratory was built and used
by local farmers of the area at an early
date, estimates of which generally range
from the 6th century to the 9th century.
But some scholars date it to the 12th
century, based on the shape of the east
window. The Gallarus Vistor Centre
brochure gives a date of c.700 AD;
Lonely Planet Ireland opts for c.800 AD.
Like most of Ireland, the area suffered
from attacks by successive invaders.
Vikings and Anglo-Normans burned,
pillaged and destroyed the settlements
around Gallarus and the oratory was
abandoned. |
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Listowell Castle,
Listowell, Co Kerry |
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Listowel Castle was built in the 15th
century and was the last fortress of the
Geraldines to be subdued. It fell after
28 days siege to Sir Charles Wilmot on
the 5th November, 1600, who had the
castle's garrison executed in the
following days. One of the best examples
of Anglo-Norman architecture in Kerry,
the castle has now been restored to some
of its former glory. The castle is open
to the public for tours on a daily
basis.The castle became the property of
the Hare family, the holders of the
title of Earl of Listowel, after
reverting away from the Fitzmaurices,
Knights of Kerry.
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Minard Castle` |
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Minard Castle is said to have been built
by the Knight of Kerry, and it is the
largest fortress on the peninsula. It is
one of the locations used in the film "Ryans
Daughter", where Rosy met the English
Captain. Heed the warning signs on the
castle. The beach beside the castle is a
storm beach, and has large sandstone
boulders, which were used for ogham
stones in the locality, and are of
unique geological interest. |
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Ross Castle,
Killarney, Co Kerry |
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Ross Castle
located on the edge of Lough Leane, in
Killarney National Park, County Kerry,
Ireland. Built
in the late 1400s by local ruling clan
the O'Donoghues this
dream-like setting
is on the
shore of Killarney's Lower Lake.
It is possible to go on boat
trips on the lake leaving from Ross
Castle during the summer. |
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Ardea Castle - Co. Kerry
Ballinskelligs - Co. Kerry
Ballybunion Castle - Co Kerry
Ballycarbery - Co. Kerry
Ballymalis Castle- Co. Kerry
Carrigafoyle - Co. Kerry
Carrignass Castle - Co. Kerry
Dunbeg Promontory Fort - Co. Kerry
Dunkerron - Co. Kerry
Dunloe Castle - Beaufort, Co. Kerry
Gallarus - Co. Kerry - Knight of Kerry
Glin Castle - Co. Kerry
Listowell (FitzMaurice) Castle - Co. Kerry
Minard Castle - Co. Kerry
Castle of Parkvonear - Aghadoe, Co. Kerry
Ross Castle - (here too) Killarney, Co. Kerry
Skellig Michael - Co. Kerry
Straigue Fort - Iveragh Peninsula, Co. Kerry
Castle Sybil - Co. Kerry Uragh Stone Circle a neolithic
stone circle near Lake Inchiquin, Co Kerry |
