Tarbert Places to Visit

There are lots of places to visit during your stay at our  holiday cottage in Tarbert Kerry and we have already mentioned some of these in various pages on this web site, on this page we have included a link where possible to either the respective web sites or to the local tourist office information on the attraction. For your further information just click on the picture.

Back of the hill cottage

View from front drive

Tarbert gaol you are invited to relive The Court House Drama of being 'Sent Down' in the Bridewell of the 1830's. Follow the wretched life of Thomas Dillon as he is charged with wilful trespass. Spine chilling recreation with life size models.

 Foynes Flying Boat Museum became the center of the aviation world from 1939 to 1945. On July 9th 1939, Pan Am's luxury Flying Boat, the "Yankee Clipper" landed at Foynes. This was the first commercial passenger flight on a direct route from the USA to Europe. During the late 1930s and early 1940s, this quiet little town on the Shannon became the focal point for air traffic on the North Atlantic.

The North Kerry Way is a 48-km long-distance footpath running from Tralee to Tarbert. En route are wild Atlantic beaches, purple mountains and empty landscapes. Highlights include Kerry Head, a favourite spot for Dolphin-watching, Ballyheigue, famous for its Kerry Eagles, Ardfert, with its spectacular ruined cathedral, and the distant ridges of Macgillycuddy’s Reeks, Ireland’s highest mountains. Other places of interest include Fenit and Banna (picture). The walking is fairly easy and the Way can be completed in two days.

The Lartigue Monorailway, the Listowel - Ballybunion Railway opened on 1st March 1888; it ran the ten miles between the two towns and was remarkable because it was the first monorailway in the world. How two small towns in the south west of Ireland came to be linked by the world's first monorail is fascinating story

Blennerville Steam Train part of the famous Tralee to Dingle Light Railway (1891-1953), this section was restored. Visitors can experience the sensation of travelling by steam train from the special railway station at Ballyard.

Crag Cave, Discovered in 1983 and thought to be over one million years old Crag Cave is a magical wonderland of stalagmites and stalactites. It is an all weather visitor attraction Located in Castleisland Co. Kerry

Siamsa Tire is a folk theatre entertainment based on a wealth of music, folklore, song and dance which evolved from and age in Ireland now passed and which is presented in "the most exciting theatre designed in Ireland this century".

Blennerville Windmill is Ireland's only commercially operated windmill. It is also the tallest of its kind in Europe: 21.3 metres high. This 18^th century windmill is now open to the public. There are many fascinating workings to be seen as the giant sails turn. The adjoining building houses interesting exhibitions on emigration and The History of Milling.

Kerry County Museum traces the history of County Kerry, from when the first settlers arrived at Ferriter’s Cove to Medieval Tralee and beyond. Highlights include the Geraldine Experience, an evocative 30-minute trip through Tralee in 1450, Kerry the Kingdom, which traces the history of Kerry from its beginnings, a large collection of archaeological artefacts discovered in Kerry and the actual duelling pistols used by Daniel O’Connell, the Liberator. The Museum’s home is the restored Thomas Ashe Memorial Hall, completed in 1928, in memory of Thomas Ashe, a member of the Irish Volunteers who died in 1917.

The Rose of Tralee International Festival is one of Ireland’s biggest carnivals, with a week of entertainment that includes a Rose Ball, Fashion Show, Rose parades, fireworks, street carnival and live TV broadcast of the Rose Selection.

The Tralee Aqua Dome is literally packed with features for the whole family, young and old, swimmers and non-swimmers. All ages can enjoy the thrills of the Aqua Dome and each area is patrolled by qualified lifeguards. It's wet ... it's wild .... it's wonderful You name it the Aqua Dome has it! Whet your appetite in the wave pools, relax in the lazy rivers, wrestle the raging rapids, fly the flume, or simply enjoy the slides, spa pools, children’s pools, bubbles, sprays, cannons, gushers and geysers.

A day in the Bog - Journey back in time when you visit this unique museum and boglands centre. You will be greeted by a friendly guide who will bring you through the various attractions and will be happy to answer any questions you may have. It’s ideal for tour groups, school tours, individuals or families. The museum is alive with the sights, sounds and smells of an actual bog. Complete with actual bank of turf, with running stream, authentic artefacts spanning several centuries, flora and fauna, birds, insects and implements used in the bogland harvesting. Visit the audio visual room, antique farm and bogland machinery, pets and wildlife area and craft and gift shop. There is also a restaurant with homemade traditionally cooked snacks served all day.

Muckross Abbey - Founded in the 15th Century this Franciscan friary is preserved to a high standard, it was built of local limestone. The tower, added after the church was built is the only Franciscan tower in Ireland which is as wide as the church.

Our self-catering holiday cottage in Tarbert, Kerry is the ideal base to visit the above attractions