Listowel Heritage Town

Situated in the northern half of County Kerry along the River Feale is the lively market town of Listowel. Known as the Literary Capital of the World, Listowel has produced an abundance of world-famous writers throughout it's long history which began in 1303.

There are many visitor attractions and buildings of architectural and historic interest in Listowel:

Listowel Castle was built in the 12th century and overlooks the Square. Originally built as and Anglo-Norman fortress by the Earls of Kerry, the Fitzmaurices, the defense fell in 1600 to an English force after a 28 day siege. A village began to grow around the castle which has turned into the town of Listowel. The Listowel Castle is open to the public for guided tours.

The Kerry Literary and Cultural Centre located in a 19th century Georgian residence in Listowel's Square hosts an interactive audio-visual exhibiton on the great writers of County Kerry. The Cultural Centre has a performance area, book and craft shop, and restaurant where trad sessions, workshops, and readings are held throughout the year.

St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, built in 1829, is centrally situate in the Square. Local folklore has a story that Lord Listowel prevaile upon the clergy to ring the bell at 7:00 pm so that he could get an extra hours work from his men.

Listowel Bridge is a five arched bridge over the River Feale built in 1829 and is considered one of the finest examples of bridge building in County Kerry.

The Famine Graveyard lies about a quarter mile outside Listowel where many nameless victims of the Irish Famine 1845-47 were interred in mass graves.

Information on any ascpect of Listowel can be picked up from the Listowel Tourist Information Office located in the Square.