Ballyseede Castle

Ballyseede Castle is ideally located, on the main Tralee-Killarney road, two km east of Tralee. The 15th century Ballyseede Castle is an ideal base for a memorable vacation. The castle hotel still is an imposing three-storey stone building, with a cut-stone door case, following a broad flight of steps up to the hall door. The impressive lobby features doric columns leading to an elegant wooden staircase of fine oak joinery which is almost unique in Ireland.

Ballyseede Castle was the chief garrison of the legendary Fitzgeralds, Earls of Desmond, many of whom refused to swear allegiance to the Crown, resulting in the infamous Geraldine Wars which continued intermittently for over three centuries. The war concluded with the capture and beheading of the 16th Earl, in the demesne of Ballyseede and the exhibiting of his head in a cage on London Bridge. Following their defeat the Earls lost the castle and 3,000 acres which became property of the Crown and were given to Robert Blennerhassett of Flimby, Cumberland with the strange rent of one red rose a year to be presented on Midsummer's Day. This family held the castle until 1966.

The 12 luxurious bedrooms are spacious and elegant with a variety from individually designed single to mini suites available. Two magnificent drawing rooms with cornices of ornamental foliage plasterwork adorned by marble fireplaces invite guests to spend relaxing evenings in front of the fire. The castle's dining room overlooks the lawn with its ancient oaks. The restaurant boasts a fine selection of continental cuisine as well as many traditional Irish dishes.

The hotel is located to Kerry's magnificent scenic jewels: the Lakes of Killarney, the Dingle Penisula and of course, the Ring of Kerry. Fishing, archery, shooting, riding, walking and of course, golf, are among the activities available locally.

Tralee sits in the shelter of Tralee Bay, with a panaroma of sea and mountains stretching into the west. Lying in the heart of Kerry, the coast, lakes and mountains of the Kingdom are all within arm's reach. The town is the capital of the county, the hub of its affairs. Tralee is a vibrant town, home to the Roses, the internationally known festival of Kerry. Tralee hosts the renowned Rose of Tralee International Festival every August, with enough attractions to occupy a few pleasant days including open-air free concerts, floats featuring the Roses, the circus and street entertainment.