Kerry County Museum
| County: | Co. Kerry |
| Tel: | 066-712 7777 |
| Fax: | 066-712 7444 |
| Email: | sandra.leahy@kerrycoco.ie |
Kerry County Museum is the ideal starting point for tours of Kerry. It brings to life the story of Kerry from the earliest times to the present day. Priceless treasures are on display in the Museum, illustrating the rich heritage of the county. Each artefact has its own story to tell, whether it is a beautiful sunflower pin worn by the fashion-conscious in the Bronze Age, or duelling pistols used by the Liberator, Daniel O’Connell, in the early 19th Century.
Travel back 600 years in the Geraldine Experience and you will see, hear and smell medieval Tralee.
General Information
| Address: | Ashe Memorial Hall, Tralee, Co. Kerry |
|---|---|
| Telephone; | 066-712 7777 |
| Fax: | 066-712 7444 |
| Email: | sandra.leahy@kerrycoco.ie |
| Website: | http://www.kerrymuseum.ie |
| Location: | Tralee, Co. Kerry |
| Season: | All Year |
| Tours: | Yes |
| Booking Contact: | sandra.leahy@kerrycoco.ie |
| Manager: | Helen O’Carroll |
| Average Visit Length: | 1-1 1/2 Hours |
| Entrance Fees: | Adult: €8.00 / OAP/Student: €6.50 Child: €5.00 / Family: €22.00 (2A + 3C) |
| Audio Visual: | Seating: 50, Duration: 15 minutes |
| Restaurant: | Coffee Shop and lunches (seats 35) |
| Picnic Area: | No |
| Shop: | Books, crafts & souvenirs |
| Information Guide: | English, French, German, Italian & Spanish |
| Coach Parking: | Yes |
| Group Booking Necessary: | Yes |
| Car Parking: | Yes |
| Disabled Access/Parking: | Yes |
Schools
Kerry County Museum caters for school tours of all ages and numbers. The tour will take in the three main areas of the Museum: the permanent collection; the Medieval Experience; the Special Exhibition Gallery. The visit can be tailored to your group’s needs and can take in all three areas or just or two, depending on how much time you have. Students will work through each area using activity sheets that are linked to the information supplied in the galleries. Kerry County Museum is also a member of Tralee School Tours, a combination of attractions around Tralee that offers an excellent mix of value, education and entertainment. Planning your tour is easy with our central booking system. You can find out more information here
Audio-Visual at Kerry County Museum
On show here throughout the day is a ten minute film introducing you to the landscape and people of the Kingdom of Kerry. You are taken on a panoramic visual tour of Co. Kerry – the historic monuments, scenery, towns, villages, people and cultural events. The film is set to a soundtrack of Irish traditional music, produced specially for Kerry County Museum, featuring a number of jigs, reels and polkas. An extended version of the soundtrack is available on CD and tape from the Museum
Opening Times
Jan-Apr: Tues-Sat: 09.30-17.00
May-Oct: Daily: 09.30-17.30
Nov-Dec: Tues-Sat: 09.30-17.00
BHols Weekends: Sun & Mon: 10.00-17.00
(Times are subject to change)
The Medieval Treasures of County Kerry - A Public Lecture Series
‘The Lislaughtin Cross – a medieval masterpiece in context’ - Mon 15th March 2010 - Mr Raghnall Ó Floinn – Head of Collections, National Museum of Ireland
All lectures are free to members of the public and commence at 8.00pm sharp
KERRY COUNTY MUSEUM NAMED 2009 MUSEUM OF THE YEAR
EXCELLENCE IN MUSEUM SECTOR ACROSS ISLAND RECOGNISED BY NORTH / SOUTH AWARDS
Kerry County Museum was tonight named 2009 Museum of the Year at the Museum Awards which were hosted by the Heritage Council, in partnership with the Northern Ireland Museums Council to coincide with International Museums Day.
Speaking at the Awards, Michael Starrett Chief Executive of the Heritage Council, said: “Congratulations to Kerry County Museum, which has been awarded the highest accolade of, 2009 Museum of the Year. This local authority museum is a vibrant cultural resource for the Kerry community, and the island as a whole. Its in-depth, and engaging exhibitions programme, together with its education and community programme, are testaments to the hard work and commitment of the staff at this museum”.
Tom Crean at Kerry County Museum
Tom Crean, born in Annascaul on 20 July 1877, enlisted in the Royal Navy on 10 July 1893. In 1901 he went to Antarctica for the first time on the Discovery expedition, led by Captain Scott. He joined the Terra Nova expedition in 1910, again led by Scott. In 1912 Scott and four companions died on the return journey from the South Pole. Crean was part of the last support party for Scott, and he received the Albert Medal for saving the life of Lt Teddy Evans. He joined the Endurance expedition, led by Sir Ernest Shackleton, in 1914. The ship was trapped in the ice in January 1915, and the men had to take to the lifeboats, eventually reaching Elephant Island. Shackleton and five men, including Tom Crean survived an 800 mile journey across the Southern Ocean in the twenty foot James Caird to fetch help in South Georgia. Tom Crean served in World War One and retired from the Navy in 1920. He returned to Annascaul, and opened a public house, which he called ‘The South Pole Inn’. He died in 1938
