Tralee (in the Irish language meaning “strand of the Lee River) is in Southwest Ireland, on the north side of the Dingle peninsula, and serves as the capital of county Kerry.
The town is situated at the head of Tralee Bay and at the base of an ancient roadway that heads south over the Shieve mountains. There’s a story which claims that along this road is a large boulder known as “Scotia’s Grave,” reportedly the burial place of an Egyptian Pharoah’s daughter.
Founded in the 13th century by the Anglo-Normans, Tralee was the stronghold of the Earls of Desmond for a number of centuries. During the mid-13th century, the Dominican Order founded a monastery in Tralee. Elisabeth I’s troops burnt the town in 1580, following what was known as the “Desmond Rebellion”against the English incursion into the area. Elisabeth I then regifted the town to the Denny Family.
During the 19th century, the layout of Tralee was redesigned to its current configuration. It was during this redesign that the Tralee Canal was built to the ocean so that larger ships could sail up to the town. This two mile long canal, with lock-gates and a wooden swing bridge, was completed in 1846.
From 1919 to 1923, during the Irish War of Independence and the Irish Civil War, Tralee was rocked by violence; all businesses were closed for one week and many houses were set afire. This caused a near famine in the area, which only ended after an international outcry.
Today, tourists have several attractions to visit, including a number of ancient Ring Forts. Perhaps the most notable attraction here is the annual “Rose of Tralee International Festival” ( begun in 1959) inspired by a 19th century Ballard created by Mordaunt Spencer (although an alternate theory claims it was created by William Mulchinock, a wealthy Protestant, out of love for Mary O’Connor , a poor Catholic maid in service to his parents).
Among the famous who have called Tralee home were Saint Bernard (navigator); Christie Hennessy (singer/songwriter); Richard Johnson (President of the High Court); Arthur O’Leary ( composer/pianist); and Timothy Murphy (actor).
The town is situated at the head of Tralee Bay and at the base of an ancient roadway that heads south over the Shieve mountains. There’s a story which claims that along this road is a large boulder known as “Scotia’s Grave,” reportedly the burial place of an Egyptian Pharoah’s daughter.
Founded in the 13th century by the Anglo-Normans, Tralee was the stronghold of the Earls of Desmond for a number of centuries. During the mid-13th century, the Dominican Order founded a monastery in Tralee. Elisabeth I’s troops burnt the town in 1580, following what was known as the “Desmond Rebellion”against the English incursion into the area. Elisabeth I then regifted the town to the Denny Family.
During the 19th century, the layout of Tralee was redesigned to its current configuration. It was during this redesign that the Tralee Canal was built to the ocean so that larger ships could sail up to the town. This two mile long canal, with lock-gates and a wooden swing bridge, was completed in 1846.
From 1919 to 1923, during the Irish War of Independence and the Irish Civil War, Tralee was rocked by violence; all businesses were closed for one week and many houses were set afire. This caused a near famine in the area, which only ended after an international outcry.
Today, tourists have several attractions to visit, including a number of ancient Ring Forts. Perhaps the most notable attraction here is the annual “Rose of Tralee International Festival” ( begun in 1959) inspired by a 19th century Ballard created by Mordaunt Spencer (although an alternate theory claims it was created by William Mulchinock, a wealthy Protestant, out of love for Mary O’Connor , a poor Catholic maid in service to his parents).
Among the famous who have called Tralee home were Saint Bernard (navigator); Christie Hennessy (singer/songwriter); Richard Johnson (President of the High Court); Arthur O’Leary ( composer/pianist); and Timothy Murphy (actor).
Even though Tralee is the capital of county Kerry, it still has a small town feel to it.
At the head of Denny Street (presumably named after the Denny family who were granted title of the land by Elizabeth I in the late 16th century) is this statue of a Pikeman, which is dedicated to those who died in the 1780 Irishmen’s Rebellion.
We are standing in front of the Tralee History museum near the center of town.
Locally known as “The Green,” Tralee’s 35 acre Town Park is one of the largest urban public parks in Ireland.
It’s main feature is the Rose Garden...
... which highlights the town’s major yearly event; The Rose of Tralee International Festival. This bronze statue by Irish sculptor Jeanne Rynhart immortalizes the famous Ballard .
Part of the Rose Garden has been dedicated to Massachusetts Native, Rose Kennedy by her daughter, Jean Kennedy Smith, U.S. Ambassador to Ireland.
There are a number of ancient Ring Forts located around the Tralee area.
What these Ring Forts looked like in their heydays is depicted in this diorama.
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