Genealogy research by Mark Humphrys.
Genealogy research by Mark Humphrys.
Tralee Castle was the castle of Tralee town, Co.Kerry.
It was originally built by
John Fitzgerald, 1st Baron Desmond,
who founded Tralee town, c.1216.
Seat of
Earls of Desmond.
Tralee Castle
was destroyed, along with Tralee town,
in 1580
in the
Earl of Desmond's rebellion.
Tralee Castle
and town were granted in 1586 to
Sir Edward Denny.
Tralee was burnt again in an insurrection in 1598.
Tralee Castle was restored by
Sir Edward Denny
in 1627.
The Castle was besieged in the
Catholic Rebellion 1641
and it was burnt by the rebels in 1642.
It was restored by
Sir Arthur Denny
in 1653.
The castle and town were again destroyed in 1691
in the
Williamite-Jacobite War.
It was restored by
Col. Edward Denny
after 1691.
Seat of
Denny Baronets (cr 1782).
From entry of 23 Aug 1788 in
[Rev. Daniel A. Beaufort's Tour of Kerry, 1788],
on arrival in Tralee:
"The entrance is very dirty, the town very rambling in its plan.
Some good houses on the Mall, a broad street by Sir Barry Denny's frightful old Castle.
A Square very small & irregular.
The Church
is large & decent but never painted.
A large new Jail is building. Many houses building so that half the streets are in rubbish."
From entry of 25 Aug 1788:
"We walked into Sir Barry Denny's house which is much better than it appears outside.
The grounds behind are well wooded &
have a pretty walk round them."
Tralee Castle was rebuilt 1804 by
Sir Edward Denny, 3rd Baronet.
But it didn't really work
and he moved out in 1807-1810.
Tralee Castle was demolished 1826.
Nothing remains.
Map of Tralee. Date sometime in 1743-1756.
Dedicated to
Sir Thomas Denny, of Tralee Castle (knighted 1743).
Original in possession of Denny family.
See larger
and full size.
Tralee Castle described on
p.162
of
[Smith, 1756].
Tralee Castle on 1795 estate map.
N is up.
Note the canal to the W.
See larger
and full size.
Close-up of
Tralee Castle on the 1795 map.
See larger
and full size.
Close-up of
Tralee Castle in the above 1824 painting.
See larger
and full size.
Tralee Castle.
Very similar to the 1824 painting above, though with minor differences.
Maybe a copy made by someone of the above painting.
Or else an original, but made around the same time.
See larger
and full size.
See
other scan.
From [McMorran and O'Keeffe, 2005].
Picture credit Russell McMorran.
Used with the kind permission of
Russell McMorran and Maurice O'Keeffe.
Site of Tralee Castle and grounds on
1829 to 1842 map.
Denny Street has been built on the site.
Note the castle grounds below it (now Tralee town park).
Note The Square to the NW.
Note Princes Quay and Day Place to the W.
Site of Tralee Castle and grounds on
1887 to 1913 map.
See modern
satellite view.
See modern
street view
on Denny St.
A floor tile surviving from the lost Tralee Castle.
Tile in possession of Denny family.
Photo 2022.
See larger
and full size.
This is a wild boar, which is a
Fitzgerald symbol.
See other photo.
From
Gerald O'Carroll.
A floor tile surviving from the lost Tralee Castle.
This one has a lion on it.
Tile in possession of Denny family.
Photo 2022.
See larger
and full size.
The grotto, in SW corner of Tralee town park.
Photo 2000.
See larger
and full size.
Wider shot of the grotto.
Photo 2000.
See larger
and full size.
See steps nearby.
See
street view.
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