Tralee town sits in the shelter of Tralee bay, with a panorama of sea and mountains streching to the west. The capital of County Kerry, Tralee is the perfect base for exploring Kerry and its diverse menu of scenic beauty, historical sites and rich cultural heritage.
There is a wide range of accommodation choices available in the town, from hostels to four star hotels. For further information on Tralee and all its facilities and attractions, check out Holiday Tralee.
We have picked some of our favourite places to stay, as well as things to see and do, which we hope will be useful if you want to come and visit us in County Kerry!
WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU’RE HERE!
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Kerry County Museum
This award winning museum is a little gem and we’re very proud of it here in Tralee. As well as hosting a fantastic collection of artefacts relating to the history of Kerry, the museum has a changing calendar of special exhibitions which are as fascinating as they are informative. Best of all, it has the wonderful, Geraldine Experience which is an eye, ear and even a nose into the medieval past of Tralee. Suitable for children of all ages!
The Blennerville Windmill
As you head west along the N86, the Blennerville Windmill stands out dramatically on the skyline, a wonderful vestige of times past. Dating from 1800, the windmill was a ruin in 1984 when its restoration began. It was opened to the public in 1989 and houses an exhibition tracing the history of Blennerville (once a thriving port) and the Windmill.
Whilst we would never admit in print that we have more than the occasional shower of rain in Kerry, there are, every now and then, times when the weather encourages us to stay indoors. When this happens, Tralee has plenty of options for family fun, including the Aquadome, an indoor Waterworld full of fun activities for children of all ages and Toby World, an indoor entertainment centre which accommodates even very young children and has a café for exhausted adults.
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A LITTLE FURTHER AFIELD...
Tralee is situated at the heart of County Kerry and is an ideal location from which to explore the legendary beauties of ‘The Kingdom’ as it’s affectionately known. A half an hour’s drive South of Tralee, lies Killarney or ‘Beauty’s Home’ as it was called in the early 20th Century. Surrounded by some of the most stunning scenery in the country, Killarney is a lively, bustling town with plenty to see and do. Visitors should not travel to Killarney without visiting Muckross House and Gardens, not to mention the Traditional Farms located in the grounds, all in the midst of the Killarney National Park. The house, which once hosted Queen Victoria, looks over the Lakes of Killarney in a setting which has to be seen to be believed. The famous Ring of Kerry starts and ends in Killarney, Click Here for some interesting information on this acclaimed circuit.
The Dingle Peninsula Photograph of Dingle Harbour above by Steven Ghesquiere
Just as famous and very close to our hearts here in Siamsa Tíre, is the Dingle Peninsula. Tralee is seen as the gateway to Chorca Dhuibhne as the peninsula is known in Irish. There are those who list the Slea Head drive from Dingle town as one of the most beautiful scenic routes in the world, and we’re inclined to agree. Travel along the stunning coastline, looking out over the Blasket Islands and the Atlantic Ocean, stopping at the Blasket Centre and Gallarus Oratory amongst other sites. Dingle itself buzzes with art and crafts galleries, cafés and restaurants, as well as pubs galore and plenty of music on offer during the tourist season. Lots more information is available on www.dodingle.com and on www.dinglenews.com
Tralee has an abundant choice of places to stay and places to eat, from four star hotels to hostels, from restaurants to cafés. We’ve picked some of our favourites below, but do check out the Holiday Tralee website and talk to the experts in our Tralee Tourist Office located in Kerry Count Museum.
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WHERE TO STAY....
The Brandon Hotel, located just across the road from Siamsa, is a four star hotel very nicely situated near the centre of the town, just off the Dingle Road (N86) with a leisure centre and ample car-parking. The Carlton Hotel, Tralee is scenically located with the Slieve Mish mountains as a backdrop. They offer a fully equipped gym and free access to their tennis courts for guests. Ballygarry House Hotel, just outside Tralee, is a delightful family-run hotel and spa with lots to offer and plenty of charm! Bang in the middle of Tralee, a mere stone's throw from Siamsa, you'll find the Imperial Hotel and the Grand Hotel, both very centrally located and full of atmosphere. Other hotels in Tralee and the environs include the truly atmospheric Ballyseede Castle Hotel, as well as Ballyroe Heights Hotel, Manor West Hotel, the Abbeygate and the Earl of Desmond - so visitors are spoiled for choice! Many of these hotels offer special packages with a night at Siamsa Tíre included, so check out their sites or visit this site again soon to stay up to date with what's on offer!
AND IF YOU'RE HUNGRY........
The two restaurants closest to Siamsa Tíre, both of which we would recommend highly are Bella Bia just across the road from the Arts Centre, or Finnegans which is just around the corner. Both do Early Bird menus so you can enjoy a wonderful dining experience before attending a performance in Siamsa.
