Ballyduff brings together cultural and historical themes on different scales: Rattoo Round Tower stands north of the village, North Kerry Museum is in the village, and the history of Ballyduff GAA adds a hurling perspective. This takes the story from a well-preserved medieval structure to museum artefacts and a sporting record of success. If you are looking for accommodation in Ballyduff, you can choose your destination based on whether local cultural history or the landscapes of County Kerry are the deciding factor.

Rattoo Round Tower and its construction history

Rattoo Round Tower is located north of Ballyduff in County Kerry. It was built around 1100 and is very well preserved; it is also the only completely intact round tower in County Kerry. The site also includes the ruins of a 15th-century church, built using stones from an older place of worship. The tower also contains a Sheela-na-gig, considered the only example in an Irish round tower. Rattoo Round Tower can only be viewed from the outside; entry to the interior is not permitted.

North Kerry Museum: History and Landscape

North Kerry Museum is located in Ballyduff and houses historical artefacts dating from the early prehistoric and Neolithic periods through to the beginning of the 20th century and the Irish Civil War. The collection therefore spans a broad period and complements the architectural evidence at Rattoo Round Tower with objects from other eras. The museum is set in a natural rural environment and overlooks the historic River Cashen. Here, a wide-ranging historical collection and a specific riverside landscape offer different perspectives on Ballyduff.

Rattoo Abbey and the Abbots

The history of Rattoo Abbey also adds to the picture of the region. In 1205, Rattoo Abbey became the monastery of Saints Peter & Paul, after the Normans transferred lands in North Kerry to Augustinian monks. From the 13th century until the Reformation, the abbots of Rattoo were also rectors of the parish of Listowel and several other parishes in North Kerry; they were also Lords of Parliament. This combination of monastic office, parish responsibilities and parliamentary status gives the history an institutional dimension that extends beyond the buildings.

Hurling history in Ballyduff

Ballyduff GAA offers another perspective: the club has won 25 County Senior Hurling Championships. This sporting record provides a counterpoint to the round tower, church ruins and monastic history. Ballyduff's cultural themes therefore extend beyond older monuments to include the history of its club.

County Kerry in a wider context

Alongside Ballyduff's cultural history, County Kerry is also defined by its expansive landscapes and regional driving routes. Killarney National Park covers 10,000 hectares of lakes, mountains and forests; the three main lakes of Killarney lie in a broad valley within the park. The Ring of Kerry is a scenic circular route around the Iveragh Peninsula. The peninsula extends 60 kilometres from the mainland into the ocean and is 32 kilometres wide. Thus, the history of Ballyduff and the landscapes and routes of County Kerry stand alongside one another as distinct points of interest.

Discover more destinations: Glenflesk, Causeway, Beaufort, Valentia Island, Farranfore, Sneem, Glenderry, Fieries

For the main travel overview: County Kerry.