Page 162 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Ireland

160  IRELAND REGION B Y REGION

Ardfert Cathedral and the ruins of Teampall na Hoe and Teampall na Griffin
1 Carrigafoyle born nearby in 484 and founded village of Ballyduff, stands the
28-m (92-ft) high Ratoo Round
a monas tery here in the 6th
Castle century. The ruined cathedral Tower. Dating from the 10th
dates back to the 12th century or 11th century, it was built as a
Road map B5. Co Kerry.
@ to Listowel. and retains a delicate Roman- lookout to warn of Viking attack.
esque door way and blind The tower contains a sheela-
High above the Shannon arcading. The battlements were na-gig, a carving used as a
estuary, 3 km (2 miles) from added in the 15th century. The protective symbol and the only
Ballylongford, this 15th-century south transept houses an one in a round tower in Ireland.
castle belonged to the exhibition of the history of the
O’Connor clan, who ruled site. In the graveyard stand the
much of northern Kerry. The remains of a Romanesque nave- 3 Tralee
English besieged or sacked and-chancel church, Teampall Road map B5. Co Kerry. * 203,000.
it repeatedly but the body na Hoe, and a late Gothic chapel, £ @ n Ashe Memorial Hall, Denny
blow was delivered in 1649 Teampall na Griffin. The latter is St (066 712 1288). ( Fri.
by Cromwellian forces (see named after the curious griffins ∑ discoverireland.ie/southwest
p43). The ruins include a carved beside an interior window.
keep and walled bawn, with A short walk away are the Host to the renowned Rose of
romantic views of the estuary ruins of a Franciscan friary. It was Tralee International Festival
from the top of the tower. founded by Thomas Fitzmaurice (see p53), Tralee has made great
in 1253, but the cloisters and strides in promoting its cultural
south chapel date from the and leisure facilities. The town’s
15th century. main attraction is Kerry County
Museum. Its theme park, “Kerry
Environs the Kingdom”, offers a show on
Just northwest of Ardfert is Kerry scenery and a display of
Banna Strand. Irish patriot archaeological finds. The
Roger Casement landed here in “Geraldine Experience” brings
1916 on a German U-boat, one back to medieval times.
bringing in rifles for the Easter The Siamsa Tíre National Folk
Rising (see pp48–9). He was Theatre of Ireland is a great
arrested as soon as he landed ambassador for Irish culture.
and a memorial stands on the Traditional song and dance
site of his capture. A 20-minute performances take place here
drive north of Ardfert, in the throughout the summer. Just
Ruined keep of Carrigafoyle Castle
2 Ardfert Cathedral
Road map A5. Co Kerry. Tel 066 713
4711. Open Easter–Sep: daily; rest of
year on request. & 7
∑ heritageireland.ie
This complex of churches is
linked to the cult of St. Brendan
the Navigator (see p219), who was Steam train on the narrow-gauge railway between Tralee and Blennerville
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp298–9 and pp313–16

160-161_EW_Ireland.indd 160 25/04/16 11:02 am
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Catalogue template “UK” LAYER
(Source v1.9)
Date 20th August 2012
Size 125mm x 217mm