Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Tralee, Ireland

Kerry’s county town, Tralee, is situated at the base of the stunning Dingle Peninsula in the southwestern region of Ireland.

Tralee presents several attractions that can provide an enriching experience over a day or two.

At the immersive Kerry County Museum, children can explore Medieval history, while Siamsa Tíre houses Ireland’s National Folk Theatre, offering a connection to traditional Irish music and dance.

Those willing to venture around Tralee Bay will be rewarded with memorable discoveries.

These may include ruins adorned with Ogham stones, featuring an early Irish alphabet, or breathtaking sites like the picturesque Banna Strand beach and the majestic Slieve Mish Mountains.

Let us examine the top attractions in Tralee:

1. Kerry County Museum

To gain a sense of the area, begin your visit at County Kerry’s renowned museum located in the Ashe Memorial Hall in Tralee.

Here, you can examine a Medieval brooch recovered from a bog dating back a millennium, a Bronze Age sunflower pin, and the dueling pistols belonging to Daniel O’Connell, a prominent 19th-century politician known as “The Liberator.” The museum engages children through interactive experiences, such as solving a Medieval murder mystery in the “Bone Investigators” gallery, revealing how archaeologists and historians analyze artifacts.

Young visitors can also stroll through a Medieval street, try on attire used by Antarctic explorer and member of Shackleton’s crew, Tom Crean, observe a Viking tooth, and trace the legendary journey of St. Brendan the Navigator across the Atlantic.

2. Blennerville Windmill

Visible for miles amidst the greenery of Tralee Bay, the Blennerville Windmill stands as a whitewashed tower mill in its village namesake.

At 21.3 meters, it is one of the tallest mills of its kind in Europe, constructed in 1800 by Sir Rowland Blennerhassett for grinding corn for local use and export to Britain.

Within decades, the mill became obsolete due to the emergence of steam power and the dredging of the Tralee Ship Canal in 1846. By the 20th century, it had fallen into disrepair but was acquired and restored by Tralee in the 1980s.

Visitors can ascend to the top and view the mill’s restored mechanism up close. The visitor center provides insights into the history of Blennerville, which was the principal embarkation point for emigrants from County Kerry in the 19th century.

3. Tralee Town Park

Tralee Town Park is one of Ireland’s largest urban green spaces, covering over 14 hectares, which was originally part of a country estate.

In the 17th and 18th centuries, this area served as a demesne for the Denny Family, whose castle was demolished in 1826 to make way for Denny Street on the park’s north side.

In 1922, the park was sold to the Town Council of Tralee, officially designating it as the town park.

Two notable features include the Rose Garden and the Garden of the Senses.

The Rose Garden comprises 35 varieties of roses arranged in formal flowerbeds, all framed by the spire of the 19th-century St John’s Church. The Garden of the Senses, introduced in 2000, invites exploration of the five senses, interwoven with local mythology and prehistory.

For example, the “Sound” installation references a collection of Bronze Age horns found in a bog at Clogherclemin.

4. Ardfert Cathedral

For centuries, from 1117, the seat of the Kerry Diocese was situated in the village of Ardfert, located 10 kilometers northwest of Tralee.

The cathedral, built in the 12th century, was abandoned in the 1800s and features a combination of Romanesque and Gothic architectural styles.

The western portal, the oldest part of the church, is adorned with blind arcades, patterned pillars, and lozenge mouldings on its arches.

Near the east window, remnants of two mounted saintly figures can be found, dating back to the 1200s and 1300s.

Adjacent to the cathedral are smaller churches from the 12th and 15th centuries.

A niche in the smaller, older church contains an intricately carved head with an unusual expression featuring oversized teeth.

Part of the cathedral transept has been restored and now accommodates a gift shop.

5. Banna Strand

This expansive Blue Flag beach is located just minutes northwest of Tralee and merits a visit in all seasons.

Behind the beach, a long stretch of sand dunes rises to heights of 12 meters, while the shore is caressed by gently rolling waves.

Banna Strand features a smooth gradient and at low tide, the beach appears to extend for miles.

On warm days, visitors can sunbathe and enjoy the invigorating Atlantic waters, while beginners may find the rolling waves suitable for surfing.

A surf school, Shorebreak, operates here, providing opportunities for those wishing to learn to surf.

During the cooler months, Banna Strand exudes a captivating atmosphere, with the Dingle Peninsula mountains forming a dramatic backdrop to the southwest.

6. Tralee Bay Wetlands Centre

Located at the last meanders of the River Lee prior to its confluence with Tralee Bay, this nature reserve spans over 3,000 hectares.

In winter, migratory pale-bellied brent geese flock to the wetlands, where they feast on seaweed and eelgrass.

The new sustainable activity center features a 20-meter observation tower, an interactive wildlife exhibition, and an activity lake where pedal boats, canoes, and rowboats are available for hire.

Guided nature-spotting boat tours are also offered, alongside trails equipped with birdwatching hides.

At the center, visitors can enjoy a lakeside café and picnic area to enhance their experience.

7. St John’s Church

Construction of Tralee’s primary Roman Catholic church commenced in 1860, showcasing a neo-Gothic design made from local sandstone and ashlar limestone.

Take the time to appreciate the exquisite stained glass window in the chancel, created by notable Victorian glass artist Michael O’Connor.

Additionally, there is a depiction of the Virgin with Child flanked by two angels, crafted in Carrara marble and imported from Italy in 1918. The church gained attention in 2013 when an anonymous benefactor from Hong Kong donated €100,000 for its upkeep after developing an admiration for the building during a visit.

8. Fenit

A brief 15-minute drive west of Tralee brings you to the village of Fenit.

Here, you can enjoy a stroll to the end of the peninsula, where you’ll be rewarded with a view overlooking the bay.

Nearby, on Little Samphire Island, stands Fenit Lighthouse, established in 1851. Its counterpart, Great Samphire Lighthouse, is home to Fenit’s harbor and marina, connected to the mainland by an 800-meter causeway and viaduct.

Crossing over provides another breathtaking perspective of the bay and the Dingle Peninsula mountains.

A monument commemorating St. Brendan the Navigator, who was born near Tralee in 484 and celebrated in Irish mythology for a legendary Atlantic voyage in search of the Garden of Eden, is also located here.

9. Ratass Church

A designated National Monument of Ireland, the ruins of Ratass Church can be found in the eastern suburbs of Tralee.

Constructed from local sandstone in the 10th century, it stands on the former site of an older ringfort.

For a brief period in the 1100s, Ratass Church served as the seat of the Kerry (Ardfert) Diocese, and much of its western facade and nave can be traced back to this era.

During maintenance work in 1975, an Ogham stone (ancient inscribed stone with Primitive Irish alphabet) was discovered at the church.

This stone, carved in the second half of the 6th century, features inscriptions that may appear as mere notches to the untrained eye, yet they form letters and words.

10. Slieve Mish Mountains

Located just south of Tralee, the Slieve Mish Mountains stretch for 19 kilometers along the Dingle Peninsula.

This narrow ridge of sandstone peaks reaches a maximum height of 851 meters (at Baurtregaum) and is characterized by corries (cirques) resulting from glacial activity.

The hillsides exhibit a striking beauty, predominantly covered with heathland and grass.

Visitors can traverse the northern flank of the range, which offers stunning views of Tralee Bay by following a section of the Dingle Way.

This 162-kilometer trail is considered one of the most scenic in Ireland, encircling the peninsula and initiating and concluding in Tralee.

11. Annagh Church

Located close to the aforementioned mountain range on the southern shore of Tralee Bay are the ethereal remnants of a Gothic Medieval church that dates between the 12th and 15th centuries.

While only the nave remains, it is situated at the end of a cemetery, allowing visitors to pass through the pointed arches.

Examine the stonework on the church’s interior walls for a carving of a horseman from the 13th century. Outside, a stone engraved with a cross likely served as a grave marker.

Many stones exhibit cracks, indicative of intense heat, suggesting the church was destroyed by fire.

12. Aqua Dome

In the event of inclement weather, consider visiting this indoor water park for family entertainment.

Children can slide down the twisting flume or float along the lazy river.

Adults can utilize the much-needed respite offered by the exclusive health suite, featuring saunas, a steam room, and a cool pool.

On the dry side, an indoor games room is available, and if the weather permits, you can engage in a round at the 18-hole mini golf course, while children can enjoy remote control boats and trucks.

13. Ballyseedy Wood

In the hinterland of Tralee, visitors can enjoy a jog or leisurely stroll through this 32-hectare wood that was formerly part of a country estate.

Ballyseedy Wood is home to 22 varieties of native Irish trees, some of which date back to the 18th century when Colonel J. Blennerhassett owned the land and cultivated significant forest areas.

The ancient ashes, oaks, and beeches are particularly prominent along the Old Coach Road, which winds through the wood and was once a service road for the Blennerhassett estate.

Information boards along the trails illustrate various species, while artificial ruins constructed in the 19th century can be spotted throughout the area.

14. Rattoo Round Tower

Dating back to the 11th century, the Rattoo Round Tower is a remarkable surviving structure located at the site of the monastery of the same name.

Standing at 27 meters tall, the tower is constructed from yellow sandstone and was likely utilized as a bell tower or as a refuge during raids.

During recent restoration efforts, a unique sheela na gig (a figurative carving of a naked woman) was discovered on the north window, making it the sole example of such a carving found on an Irish round tower.

15. Siamsa Tíre

Opened in 1991, this arts center is housed in a Medieval-style sandstone building located on the western edge of Tralee Town Park.

Siamsa Tíre serves as home to Ireland’s National Folk Theatre, which vividly brings Irish folklore to life through song, music, and dance.

The center boasts a resident troupe of skilled performers sourced from Tralee and County Kerry, becoming particularly vibrant during the Festival of Folk from May to September, where ancient themes are often interpreted through a contemporary lens.

In addition to folk performances, Siamsa Tíre hosts live music, art exhibitions, classical concerts, literary discussions, poetry readings, contemporary plays, and children’s workshops.