Kerry Writers' Museum

County Kerry


The Writers' Exhibition in this Georgian building celebrates Listowel's heritage of literary observers of Irish life. Rooms are devoted to local greats such as John B Keane and Bryan MacMahon, with simple, haunting tableaux narrating their lives, and recordings of them reading their work, a reflection of Ireland's tradition of storytelling. There's a cafe and a performance space where events are regularly staged in summer.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby County Kerry attractions

1. Listowel Castle

0.02 MILES

Standing between the town square and the river, this 12th-century castle was once the stronghold of the Fitzmaurices, the Anglo-Norman lords of Kerry. It…

2. Lartigue Monorailway

0.38 MILES

Designed by Frenchman Charles Lartigue, this unique survivor of Victorian railway engineering once ran between Listowel and Ballybunion along the coast…

3. Tarbert Bridewell Courthouse & Jail

10.07 MILES

If you're catching the ferry between Tarbert and County Clare, take time to visit the renovated Tarbert Bridewell Courthouse, which has exhibits …

4. Scattery Island

11.81 MILES

This uninhabited, windswept and treeless island in the estuary 3km southwest of Kilrush was the site of a Christian settlement founded by St Senan in the…

5. Vandeleur Walled Garden

12.95 MILES

Within a 170-hectare forest 800m south of the centre, this stunning 'lost' garden was the private domain of the wealthy Vandeleur family – merchants and…

6. Shannon Dolphin Centre

13.23 MILES

The 170-plus bottlenose dolphins swimming out in the Shannon are monitored by this dedicated research facility. In addition to learning about its latest…

7. St Senan's Church

13.4 MILES

St Senan’s Catholic church has a lovely rose window as well as four stained-glass windows by well-known early-20th-century artist Harry Clarke.

8. Crag Cave

13.74 MILES

This cave was discovered in 1983, when problems with water pollution led to a search for the source of the local river. In 1989, 300m of the 4km-long cave…