TRALEE

Host to the renowned Rose of Tralee International Festival (end August), Tralee has made great strides in promoting its cultural and leisure facilities. Bands, processions, dancing and selection of the “Rose”. The town’s main attraction is Kerry County Museum. Its theme park, “Kerry the Kingdom”, offers a show on Kerry scenery and a display of archaeological finds. The “Geraldine Experience” brings one back to medieval times. 

The Siamsa Tíre National Folk Theatre of Ireland is a great ambassador for Irish culture. Traditional song and dance performances take place here throughout the summer. The Barn, in Bunratty Folk Park, is the setting for a traditional Irish night during the summer months. Just outside Tralee is the authentic Blennerville Wind mill. Opposite the windmill is the Lee Valley Park, where a wetlands centre and eco-park opened in 2012. The Steam Railway connects the park with Tralee along a narrow gauge track. 

KILLARNEY

Located in the County of Kerry, Killarney is at the heart of the very beautiful and spectacular Southwest of Ireland. Also known as ‘The Town in the Park’, Killarney town is surrounded by 26,000 acres of National Parkland, including three stunning lakes. Killarney, one of Ireland's jewels and busiest tourist towns has many beautiful sites including Torc Waterfall, Muckross House and the Killarney National Park and is often referred to as the gateway to the Ring of Kerry.

Ross Castle is situated on the edge of Lough Leane one the lower lakes of Killarney National Park, 1.5 miles south of Killarney within the Kenmare Estate. It is a square tower house with bartizans, or overhanging turrets, on two of the tower's corners and two (of the original four) round towers. The castle is surrounded by parts of a square bawn or defensive wall. The most important room of the castle is the Great Hall situated on the top floor with large windows, fireplace, kitchen and minstrels' gallery. Ross Castle Killarney was probably built in the late 15thcentury.

Postcrossing postcard received from Brian

SLEA HEAD

 The Dingle Peninsula, stretching westwards for 30 miles from the low-lying country near Tralee, is the most northerly of the hilly promontories of County Kerry. It offers some of Ireland’s most beautiful scenery. Some parts of the peninsula – especially the more remote areas – are still Gaelic speaking, so many road signs are written only in Irish.

SLEA HEAD, DINGLE, CO. KERRY

 

At Slea Head the visitor reaches one of the cornerstones of the Dingle Peninsula. Off the shore are the group of seven islands and numerous rocks known as the Blaskets. The Great Blasket is the largest and the old village settlement was at the northeast end of the island. The inhabitants were moved to the mainland in 1953. Many of the islanders were adept at recounting folk-tales, and Blasket islanders have produced such well-known books as 'Twenty Years A-growing' (M. O'Sullivan) and 'The Islander' (T. Ó Crohan).