About Tralee

Tralee was founded around 1216 by John FitzThomas Fitzgerald, an Anglo Norman Knight It grew up around the Great Castle of Tralee and Dominican Abbey founded by Fitzgerald. Prehistory has it as the scene of a famous battle between the Milesians (our Celtic ancestors) led by Queen Scotia and the Tuatha De Danann. Recent archaeological excavations have uncovered relics of Neolithic man at Ballycarthy on the N21 approach while the Early Christian church in Rathass Cemetery predates the medieval town. Unfortunately, due to its troubled past (the town was destroyed on four occasions) little of the medieval Geraldine town survives and the present town took its present form in the 18th century when the Denny family held precedence.

Today Tralee (Pop: 25,000) is a modern bustling town with all the facilities of a county capital but which respects its past. It is the main shopping, administrative and services centre in the south west and has a growing tourism base which offers top class indoor and outdoor attractions, festivals and a range of visitor accommodation and activities to suit all age groups. It is the ideal holiday base from which to explore the Kingdom of Kerry.

 

What to do

As much as we want everyone to enjoy the great outdoors, there are times when it’s great to kick back and have some fun with a roof over your head. Tralee has a wide range of activities to suit everyone from the very young to those of a certain age.

 

Where to stay

Tralee has a wide range of superb hotels for the discerning visitor, whether it’s an overnight stay or a fortnight family break, you can be sure of finding that perfect location to lay your head. Sleep tight.

 

Where to eat

The Irish pub scene is famous and Tralee has some of the best. But there’s more to our pubs than a warm welcome and plenty of craic. A great range of delicious food is there to be enjoyed; everything from a tasty mid-morning snack to gourmet meals.

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