Kerry County Museum
| County: | Co. Kerry |
| Tel: | 066-712 7777 |
| Fax: | 066-712 7444 |
| Email: | info@kerrymuseum.ie |
A stroll through the Medieval Experience at Kerry County Museum reveals the streets of Tralee as they were in 1450 AD with all the sights, sounds and robust smeslls of a bustling community. See what people wore, what they ate, where they lived, and discover why the Fitzgeralds, the Earls of Desmond, who founded the town, also destroyed it. More fascinating characters and stories are brought to life in our Museum Gallery where you can admire priceless archaeological treasures and other intriguing objects while tracing the history of the 'Kingdom' from the Stone Age to the present day. Each object 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. Meet Tom Crean, a native of Annascaul, who served on 3 Antartic expeditions in the early 1900s. A trek through our award-winning Antartic Exhibition will reveal how he and his fellow Polar explorers survived terrible dangers and endured shocking hardships.
General Information
| Address: | Ashe Memorial Hall, Tralee, Co. Kerry |
|---|---|
| Telephone; | 066-712 7777 |
| Fax: | 066-712 7444 |
| Email: | info@kerrymuseum.ie |
| Website: | http://www.kerrymuseum.ie |
| Location: | Situated in centre of Tralee Town |
| Season: | All Year |
| Open Times: | Jan-May: Tue-Sat: 9.30-5 Jun-Sept: Daily: 9.30-5.30 Oct-Dec: Tue-Sat: 9.30-5 |
| Tours: | Yes |
| Booking Contact: | sandra.leahy@kerrycoco.ie |
| Manager: | Helen O’Carroll |
| Average Visit Length: | 1-1 1/2 Hours |
| Entrance Fees: | Adult: €5.00, Child (Under 16): FREE, Family: €10.00 (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
Opening Times
Jan-May: Tues-Sat: 09.30-17.00
Jun-Sept: Daily: 09.30-17.30
Oct-Dec: Tues-Sat: 09.30-17.00
BHols Weekends: Sun & Mon: 10.00-17.00
(Times are subject to change)
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
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
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