Things to Do in Tralee

Aquadome is a family favourite for tourists and locals alike. You can choose from a wide variety of facilities available here. Some of the highlights include:

• Sky High Fume
• Surfing
• Whirlpool Spa
• Video Game Parlour
• Bubble seat
• Cannon, Geysers, Gushers
• Spa Pools
• Sauna
• Steam Room
• Turbo Sunshower

The in-house gym facility is every fitness-lover’s favourite while the food at the Aqua Dome Cafe will serve you with energising drinks and finger foods.

A must-visit for families travelling to Tralee, the Aqua Dome is sure to give you a memorable time.

Wild Kerry Day Tours by O’Conners is one of tourist favourites as it offers a wide range of Ireland tour packages. Known for offering family, group tours that are day long or spanning over a couple of day, the tours are a favourite for light travellers as well as serious explorers.

The highlights include of the tour include:

• Day Tours including Wild Kerry Day tour
• Rail Tours
• Budget Breaks including minimum 2 days tour and maximum 12 days tour
• Wild Atlantic Way Tour

The tours cover everything eccentric to Ireland including mountain ranges, famous ports, mysterious monuments and splendid beaches. The Wild Kerry Tour is a good option if you want to see the best of County Kerry in a limited time. A tourist favourite ‘Ring of Kerry Day tour’ is highly recommended for every Tralee visitor.

One of the highlights of Kerry County, the Kerry County Museum is a vivid collection of the best of Ireland’s history. Located on the Denny Street, the highlights include:

• Main Gallery: Consist of archaeological artefacts and tools, life-sized diorama and informative panels that tell the story of Kerry’s people from early times up until the 20th century. The Lissroe Bronze Horn, Cloghermore collection and the copy of 1916 proclamation are a treat for every history-lover.
• Special Exhibition: Covering a span from 1950 to 1973, the exhibition consists of Black and White photographs taken by the husband-wife team Padraig and Joan Kennelly. The images focus on social history of Ireland.
• Tom Crean Room: Tom Crean is an Ireland hero who served on 2 Antarctic expeditions in the early 1900s. Know the story of his and his team’s survival in some of the most challenging places to survive. A sledging tool-kit, penguin egg from the 1911 expedition and a plum pudding ration bag provide the exhibit an intimate touch.
• Archaeological Hall: Consists of archaeological evidences from Tralee’s Dominican Priory along with ancient tools, spade work and laboratory experiments. The hall bears fragments of a knight’s tomb, evidence of a 500 year old murder and a medieval mason’s mark.
• Medieval Experience: A walk through the exhibition gives visitors a walk through 1450 AD Tralee. Experience what people of that time wore ate and also why the Earls of Desmond destroyed the very town they built.
• Temporary Exhibitions: The museum offers space for temporary exhibitions like quilt art, featured artists and other Ireland’s highlights from time to time to keep up with the changing trends in Ireland.

The museum is a perfect stew of all the things that Kerry County stands for and takes pride in.

In 1957, a young curator Fr Pat Ahern was sent to Kerry to establish a choir at St.John’s Chruch in Tralee. The choir received tremendous admirors and soon the Friar decided to explore more opportunities. They called themselves Siamsóirí na Ríochta.

The choir preserved some of the folk music and dance like ‘Munnix’ which would have disappeared otherwise. This was noted as one of the pivotal roles of the choir which resulted in the formation of the Siamsa Theatre.

The name ‘Siamsa’ is pronounced as ‘Shee-am-sa’ which means mirth and music, while ‘tire’ means ‘land’. Officially opened in 1991, the centre is a combined effort of Pat Ahern, Martin Whelan and architect Patrick O’Sullivan.

Today the Siamsa Tire stands strong while still functioning to offer platforms for artists from all over Ireland. The ‘Festival of Folk’ held annually is a major attraction here.

Tourists love to catch a show here to have an intimate experience with the art culture in Tralee.

One of the popular beaches to visit while in Tralee, a walk along the beach promises to be a splendid experience. Located along the Wild Atlantic Way, the Banna strand is a gem placed in Tralee. The serene Wild Atlantic waters are a pleasure to swim in while a walk along the coast shows some beautiful sand dunes all along its 12km long length.

Lifeguards guarantee a safe beach experience. Tourists love to spend a lazy day on the beach to relax from a weary travel schedule.

The Tralee Bay Wetland’s centre is one of the most popular places to visit while in Tralee. The centre consists of 3 zones:

• Nature Zone: Consisting of wildlife exhibition, guided boat tour, visit to a 20 metre viewing tower, bird-watching and Nature Board walk.
• Activity Zone: Have fun while rowing boats, trading on pedalo boats and water zorbing.
• Visitor Centre: The centre provides WiFi, lakeside Café/Bistro with outdoor deck area and a  gift shop area. Baby changing facilities are also available.

Tourists love to spend a day here to explore the range of activities that are available here while enjoying the natural Irish views.

Located in Tralee Bay, Blennerville Windmill was built by Sir Rowland Blennerhassett in 1800. The windmill was used to grind corn for both the local population and for export to Britain. In the middle of 19th Century, the windmill fell into ruins due to introduction of steam power, silting of the Blennerville river channel and the building of the Fenit Harbour in 1880. In 1984 reconstruction of the windmill began and by 1990 it was completely restored.

The windmill is also significant as a port of emigration for Kerry County during the Great Famine. Today, the windmill stands strong and is one of the star-attractions of the town.

Highlights of the windmill tower include:

• Visitor Centre which includes an exhibition gallery, craft shop and restaurant.
• The famous Coffin Ships displayed at the Visitor centre.
• Bird-watching platform overlooking 'Sií na nEan' ('the Way of the Birds').

A major attraction for families with children, the Playdium has an exclusive appeal for toddlers and children. There are a variety of games available here to engage children from age 2 to 12 year olds. The Playdium has a variety of indoor as well as outdoor games.

Highlights include:

• Kids Soft Play Centre
• Climbing Frames
• Plastic Ball Pools
• Indoor Slides
• Go Karting

The Playdium also has an in-house cafe which serves light meals, snacks and excellent coffee to cater to adults while the children can enjoy all the games.

Located just off the town centre, St John’s Church is one of few popular churches in the whole of Ireland. The church was originally built in 1623 during the time of Sir Edward Denny. Destroyed twice in 1642 and 1691, the church was later reconstructed in 1700.

Known for its majestic Victorian architecture which makes it one of the highlights of Ireland, the church has the most pristine stain-glass art.

Tourists love light a candle in the church while admiring the infrastructure which reminds us of the time gone by. A walk around the church is much-needed after a busy day.

Well known for local Irish cuisine and live music, the Kirby’s Brogue Inn is a legendary spot in Tralee. The inn is run by the Kirby family and offers award winning Irish cuisine menu consisting of quality meat, fish and delectable vegetable dishes. The inn is sure to cater to every foodie’s needs.

Located at the heart of the city, the inn is close to the St John’s Church and the town market.

Popular dishes include:

• Scallop Morney
• Monkfish
• Steak
• Lamb

The ground floor has a snug little bar while the floor above guarantees foot-tapping music. The inn is a must for spending time with family and friends.

One of the most famous BnB stays in Tralee, the Kilarney House is located on the outskirts of Tralee and overlooks the pristine Slieve Mish Mountains. The rooms are luxury, ground-floor accomodations with high-end service and hospitality.

Tourists love to stay here due to its affordable price ranges with good breakfast menu. The house also arranges activities for their guest including boating and angling. Other activities include:

• Golf
• Swimming/ Fitness centre
• Cinema
• Greyhound Track
• Bowling
• Adventure Centre
• Equestrian Area

A perfect getaway for families, the BnB is located at close proximity to other Tralee attractions like the Town Park, Ballyseede Woods etc.

Built around 1100, the Rattoo Round Tower is round tower near a monastery at Ballyduff. Round Tower have a characteristic appeal to Ireland and are known for their unique and effective construction. The Monastery was founded by Bishop Lughach, one of the first Christians to evangelise Kerry County. Tourists love to visit the place due to its unique ‘dry-stone’ construction that is still standing strong.

Highlights include, taking a walk along the monastery ruins around the tower.

Representing the atrocities committed during the Civil War, the Ballyseedy Memorial is a monument for 8 men who were killed when 9 Irish men were tied together with a bomb placed amidst them. 1 survived to share the story. One of the most sympathetic historic stories of Ireland, the memorial stirs something in every visitor which super-cedes Nations and Wars.

A visit here will make you feel close to Ireland’s iconic history.

Located in the Tralee Bay, the lighthouse occupies the Samphire Island. The Fenit Lighthouse was built in 1851 and still stands strong- offering a perfect way to experience the Atlantic breeze. Visitors love to climb all the way up the lighthouse to see the statue of St.Brendan overlooking the marvellous bay. Enjoy the boat ride which takes you to the scenic island in 20 minutes from the harbour.

A forest adjoining the Ballyseedy Memorial, the woods offer a perfect walk through beautifully sculpted trees, ruins, tress cut across by gravelled pathways. The woods are flanked by information boards that tell visitor’s about various historic events. The River flowing through the woods makes an evening walk memorable and charming.

A walk through the woods after visiting the Ballyseedy Memorial is calming and ends the day perfectly.