Introduction to Tralee, Ireland

TRALEE has had quite a face-lift of late, and chief among its new attractions is Kerry the Kingdom in the Ashe Memorial Hall, Denny Street (mid-March to Oct daily 9.30am–5.30pm; Nov & Dec 11.30am–4.30pm; €8), which incorporates a comprehensive but rather dry run-through of the history of Ireland and Kerry since the Stone Age in the Kerry County Museum; the Irish Medieval Experience, a kind of ghost-train ride through recreated scenes of mid-fifteenth-century Tralee complete with artificial smells; and some interesting long-term temporary exhibitions – "Antarctica" is the current theme, at least till the end of 2003. Other attractions include the Tralee to Blennerville Steam Railway (May–Sept Tues–Sun hourly; €4; occasional closures so call ahead to check tel 066/712 1064), which is part of the famous Tralee–Dingle line (1891–1953), and the largest working windmill in Ireland and Britain, the Blennerville Windmill, at the other end of the train journey or about a mile southwest of town along the N86 (April–Oct daily 10am–6pm; €4, combined train and windmill ticket €7), which has its own exhibition, craft workshops and the usual tourist trinkets.

The National Folk Theatre of Ireland has its home at the Siamsa Tíre Theatre beside the tourist office (tel 066/712 3055, www.siamsatire.com), though their excellent performances don't draw the same crowds as the Rose of Tralee International Festival. Held in the last week of August, with much accompanying merriment and followed immediately by the raucous Tralee Races, this is a beauty contest in which women, including foreigners who can demonstrate some credible Irish connection, compete for the dubious honour of being Rose of Tralee; details are available from the Festival Office, Ashe Memorial Hall, Denny Street (tel 066/712 1322, www.roseoftralee.ie). There's also an Easter arts festival, based at Siamsa Tíre, including theatre, music and street entertainment (tel 066/712 9934).

Information by Rough Guides

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