Tralee Town

The historic town of Tralee is well-known beyond the bounds of Country Kerry. Not only home to human rights activist and Easter Rising leader Roger Casement and Antarctic explorer Tom Crean, the town gives its name to the world-famous song ‘Rose of Tralee’.

The capital town of County Kerry, it lies on the southwest coast of Ireland, nestled in a valley, gently sloping westwards to the sea, between the Slieve Mish and Stacks Mountains. It takes its name from the River Lee, in Irish Trá Lí (strand of the River Lee), which flows just south of the town into Tralee Bay.

It is a vibrant, culturally mixed town, with a variety of world cuisines and festivals reflecting its growing influences. Its shops and department stores sell well-known brands in addition to local independent producers and craft makers. There is a wide choice of pubs and restaurants in town, and our reception team are happy to recommend places to eat and drink.

Tralee is home to Siamsa Tíre, the National Folk Theatre of Ireland. Siamsa performs a choice of four superb shows six nights a week during peak summer months. It also hosts concerts, opera, and other theatrical events, and international exhibitions in the round gallery.

Walk through the streets of medieval Tralee at the Geraldine Experience installation at the award-winning Kerry County Museum. Other exhibitions explore the history and archaeology of Kerry and Ireland over 7000 years.

The Blennerville Windmill is Ireland’s largest working windmill. In the Visitor Centre, you will find an audio-visual presentation as well as an exhibition gallery, craft shop and restaurant. It also includes an Emigration Display and birdwatching area.

Take a stroll around Tralee Bay Wetlands activity and nature centre, and a pedal boat or canoe out on its landscaped lake. A popular spot for walking and cycling, the Wetlands has a visitor centre, safari boat rides, 20 metre high viewing tower, and a nature zone focusing on the Tralee Bay ecosystem.

Tralee has gained international fame for its annual Rose of Tralee International Festival held each August. In the 30 acre Tralee Town Park, there is a spectacular Rose Garden with fantastic varieties of colourful roses, manicured lawns, and sculptures. In the middle of the town park stands a life-size bronze sculpture by Jeanne Rynhart of Mary O’Connor, Rose of Tralee, whom the famous song ‘The Rose of Tralee’ is named after. This statue of Mary and her beloved William Mulchinock is surrounded by the Rose Wall, a glass memorial engraved with the name of every Rose who has taken part in the Rose of Tralee International Festival since its inception in 1959.

Tralee, also hosts the Tir na nOg Easter Festival, the Feile na mBlath Garden Festival and Christy Hennessy Music Festival.

Golfers will love the Arnold Palmer designed Tralee Golf Course, about a 15 minute drive from the hotel, with stunning views from the club house and course.

Other activities can be enjoyed at Tralee Equestrian Centre, Kingdom Greyhound Racing Stadium, Tralee Pitch and Putt, and many signposted walks.

The younger visitor has a broad variety of all-weather attractions such as the Aqua Dome Waterworld, The Playdium, Bowling Buddies and Tralee Omniplex eight-screen cinema.

Located in the heart of County Kerry, Tralee is the ideal base from which to explore the sandy beach and coastal towns of the Dingle Peninsula and the Ring of Kerry, as well as the coastal towns, lakes and national parks of North Kerry and Killarney.