What's on in Tarbert
 

 Tarbert is the gateway to the Kingdom of Kerry. The location on the Shannon Estuary with its scenic surroundings allows for many activities to suit all interests. Tarbert Island Maritime Club takes advantage of Tarbert Bay’s natural amenities for maritime pleasure activities. There is a large membership of varying age groups whose interests vary from competitive sailing to leisure activities including sailing, rowing, swimming and angling.

Lane leading to the Cottage

 Tarbert Peninsular

 As part of the facilities of the Club tuition is arranged by demand in Seamanship, Sailing, Rowing, Canoeing, Power Boat operation and Swimming.

Angling is a popular activity at Tarbert. Pier Fishing – Shore Fishing & Sea Angling are enjoyed by many locals and visitors alike. There are Sea Angling Charters available out of Tarbert Pier.

Dolphin Watch - The Shannon Estuary is a recognised breeding ground for Bottle nose Dolphins and Dolphin Watch Tours operate out of Tarbert Pier by prior arrangement. It is a pleasure to observe these exuberant creatures in their natural habitat.

Scattery Island is an uninhabited Island on the Shannon Estuary. The island was once a Monastic Settlement founded by St. Senan in the early part of the 6th century. There are several Churches – Round Tower and House ruins still there. There is also a Napoleonic Battery and Lighthouse located on the island. An exhibition on the history of the island is housed in the Visitor Reception building. Day Trips to Scattery Island can also be arranged out of Tarbert or Kilrush.

Tarbert Bay and its Mud Flats are a Bird Watchers paradise. The Bird Hide provided by Tarbert Development Association provides a magnificent location for such a hobby. Access to the Bird Hide is available to locals and visitors alike. If you prefer to stroll along the Island Road which skirts the bay or if you take the Woodland Walk you are afforded the opportunity to Bird Watch at your leisure. Tarbert Development Association and Birdwatch Ireland have held Dawn Chorus Walks for the past couple of years and these have proved popular with all age groups.

The John F Leslie Woodland Walk which overlooks Tarbert Bay is very popular. The walk is 6.1 km and takes approximately 1 hour. The Flora of the woods is ever changing and every season is a beauty in itself. Since the walk was developed a large number of Trees have been identified and tagged. There is a great variety of Birds & Butterflies to be seen in the Woods and along the Bay.

Points of interest on the Woodland Walk
- Tarbert Bridewell.
- Memorial to the Drowning victims.
- Tarbert House
- Tarbert Bay View
- Tarbert Piers.
- Walled Garden
- Bird Information Board

The Shannon Way - For the more adventurous walker offers a 21 mile (35 km) country walk between Ballybunion & Tarbert. Beginning in the Seaside Resort at Ballybunion, it winds its way up to the top of Knockanore (altitude 267 m). Because of its isolated location the Flat countryside, Knockanore offers wonderful panoramic views of all the neighbouring counties from Cork to Galway. From here the walk passes through bogland filled with heathers, grasses and mosses, through farmland as far as the village of Ballylongford and on to Saleen Pier which is close to the Historical Lislaughtin Abbey and onward through farmland in Sallow Glen. The Sandes Family were landed gentry in this area and it is along the wide carriageway to their mansion that the path now passes. The Shannon Way finishes with the delightful John F Leslie Woodland Walk.

Tarbert Bridewell Courthouse & Jail - Tarbert Bridewell was built in 1831 and its elegant cut limestone exterior stands as a tribute to the fine craftsmen of the early 19th century. For more than 100 years it served as a Courthouse & Jail. The Courthouse was used for the dispensing of justice and the cells and yards for the temporary confinement of prisoners prior to removal to the County Jail in Tralee. The Bridewell has a Coffee Shop & Gift Centre and hosts many events:

– Musical evenings
– Weekly Whist Drive
– Singing Classes
– Art exhibitions.

Today Tarbert Bridewell Visitor Centre features the entertaining and Historically Informative Exhibition which depicts rough justice in 19th Century Ireland. It also houses an exhibition on the life & works of Thomas McGreevy the famous Tarbert Poet.

Shannon Car Ferry. The Ferry links Tarbert with Killimer in Co Clare. This Ferry Service is now a vital part of everyday life in North Kerry and is a great asset to people living in and visiting Tarbert. It is a Tourist Link for sightseeing day trips to both counties the crossing takes approximately 20 minutes. Day trips to Clare would take in Kilkee, Lahinch, The Cliffs of Moher, Ailwee Caves and the Burren. Golf Courses in Clare include Lahinch & Doonbeg. The Ferry is also used by commercial traffic and busses.

Sandy Beaches - Tarbert is but a short drive to some of the most beautiful Golden Sandy Beaches in North Kerry. Ballybunion with its two Beaches being the most popular is approximately 30 minutes drive from Tarbert. Litter Strand and Beal Strand on the located Costal Drive to Ballybunion are approximately 20 minutes drive.

Golf - For the Golf enthusiast Tarbert is a very central location with the Famous Ballybuinon Golf Course practically on our doorstep. Tralee, Killarney, Kenmare in County Kerry, Doonbeg & Lahinch in County Clare accessible by the Shannon Car Ferry and Adare & Newcastlewest in nearby County Limerick.

Entertainment - Traditional and a wide variety of live music is available in Tarbert or the catchment area most week-ends and there are occasional musical evenings in Tarbert Bridewell. St Johns Theatre & Arts Centre in Listowel and Siamsa Tire Theatre in Tralee have very entertaining events every week through out the year.

Imposing remains of Lislaughlin Franciscan Friary founded in 1478 stand on the site of an older monastery founded by St. Lachtin who died in 622. Set below Tarbert on the Shannon Estuary, it is the native area of internationally acclaimed contemporary poet, Brendan Kennelly.
 

Just two miles from Ballylongford one comes to Carrigafoyle Castle, a tower house built in 1490 by Conor Liath O Connor Kerry. The castle is beautifully situated on an inlet of the sea. It was besieged and taken in 1580 by Sir William Pelham who levelled the western portion with cannon.

Listowel Harvest Festival of Ireland, this festival runs in conjunction with Listowel Races, one of Ireland’s most popular race meetings. The Harvest Festival includes busking competitions, fun races through the streets of Listowel, the selection of the Harvest Queen and the All-Ireland Wrenboy Bands Competition. Pub and street entertainment is available nightly.

Listowel Food Fair takes place each November and is considered one of the largest food festivals in the country. It offers a wide programme of events including all aspects of food production and preparation.
 

Tralee  is the capital town of County Kerry and Ireland’s 7th largest town. It is a bustling shopping, tourism, commercial, educational, retail, industrial and services centre, the seat of local government, and a regional transport hub.

 

Tralee is home to the world-famous Rose of Tralee International Festival (mid August) and an expanding number of weekend festivals including Pageant Kerry (St. Patrick’s Weekend in March), Samhlaíocht Chiarraí Easter Arts Festival, Tralee Garden Festival / Féile na mBláth (mid June) and the Kerry Film Festival (October).

Tralee Town Park with its award winning Rose Garden and Garden of the Senses. Tralee boasts a range of all-weather visitor attractions unmatched in any Irish regional town including the Aqua Dome Waterworld, Siamsa Tíre – the National Folk Theatre of Ireland, Kerry County Museum - Ireland’s most visited regional museum., and the historic Blennerville Windmill and Steam Railway and recently re-opened Tralee Ship Canal. Tralee has an 8-Screen Omniplex Cinema.

Further a field Dingle and the Ring of Kerry are famous tourist attractions.