historical ireland kerry

The oldest surviving artefacts of the Celtic church are the cross-pillars and slabs found at a number of monastic sites throughout the country. They represent the first tentative steps in the development of Irish ecclesiastical art. Unlike the alter ringed crosses which evolved from them, the earliest Christian crosses were simply inscribed on suitable natural stones with no attempt at shaping. Sometimes in situ pagan standing stones were adopted for the purpose.

The Reask cross-pill...

Located on the beautiful Ring of Kerry is Staigue Fort. It is not known for what the fort was used but Staigue Fort represents a considerable feat in engineering and construction. It was built without the use of mortar, using just stones placed at a slight angle, lower on the outside than the inside to allow water to run off.

Most famous of the great circular stone cashels, Staigue is also one of the best preserved and conveys a fair idea of how the larger Iron Age fortifications...

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.

YOU ARE SUMMONED TO STOP AND WITNESS....

The Old RIC Barracks in Cahersiveen has become a major local amenity as well as a heritage centre. It houses the local tourist office and  exhibitions of material on Daniel O Connell and the Fenian Rising in the locality....

An old monastery was founded here by St. Finian the Leper in the 7th century. It is referred to as existing in 992, and a stone church here is mentioned in 1044. The western part of the existing church is the oldest. It was finished in 1158 by Auliff Mor na Cuimsionach, a member of the O'Donoghue family, who was buried here in 1166. It has a Romanesque west doorway, with the innermost order plain, and the two outer ones bearing Romanesque decoration. The east window, with a head and a flowe...

A few minutes walk from the town centre lies the Knockreer section of the National Park. Access is via Deenagh Lodge gate which is opposite the Cathedral, and this leads to a pleasant pastoral landscape with fine views of the Lakes and mountains especially from the gardens of Knockreer House. The house, which was the home of the Grosvenor family, is now the field study centre for the National Park....

The Speir Bhean (spirit woman) monument situated opposite the Franciscan Friary was erected to commemorate Kerry's four leading poets; Piaras Feirtear (1616-1653); Geoffrey O'Donoghue (1620 - 1690); Aogan O Rahilly (1670 - 1726) and Eoghan Rua O'Sullivan (1748 - 1784). Piaras Feirtear was hanged where the Friary now stands....

When you come to see the Gallarus Oratory, you will see the best preserved early Christian church in Ireland. Built in the 7th or 8th century, Gallarus Oratory is found in natural farmland overlooking Smerwick Harbour on the Dingle Peninsula. It has been exposed to the winds and Atlantic weather for over 1200 years and this stone building to this day remains waterproof.
Its shape, often likened to an upturned boat is unusual, though not unique in early Irish churches. The oratory embodie...

This fort dates back to the Iron age and is a fascinating example of a promontory fort. There is a visitor centre which presents a ten minute audio visual display on the history of the fort....

The museum is situated in an old school-house which can be dated back to 1875.  Local archaeology, natural history and history as well as periodic temporary exhibitions can be seen here....