- The Rose of Tralee: A romantic ballad about Mary, the “Rose” of Tralee, celebrating her beauty and the charm of this Kerry town. It inspired the annual Rose of Tralee Festival, a cultural event since 1957, reflecting local pride and community spirit. Written by William Pembroke Mulchinock part of the 1840s parlour music movement.
- Cliffs of Dooneen: A lyrical ode to the scenic Cliffs of Dooneen near Beale, North Kerry, praising the county’s coastal beauty and rural tranquility. It evokes nostalgia for Kerry’s landscapes and its connection to the Atlantic. Traditional; often associated with Planxty and Christy Moore.
- An Poc Ar Buile: An Irish-language song about a mischievous goat causing chaos at a fair, set partly in Kerry (Foibrack, Morley’s Bridge, Dingle) and Cork (Rochestown). It reflects Kerry’s Gaeltacht humor and lively oral tradition, often performed at local sessions. Traditional, attributed to Dómhnaill Ó Lubhlaí; popularized by Seán Ó Sé.
- Boys of Barr na Sráide: A nostalgic ballad about the boys of Cahersiveen who played hurling and later fought in Ireland’s struggle for independence. It captures the town’s community spirit and Kerry’s revolutionary history. Written by Sigerson Clifford, a Cahersiveen native, written in the 1940s.
- The Kerry Recruit: A humorous folk song about a young Kerryman recruited into the British army, losing a leg in battle but finding contentment with his wife, Sheela. Set in Kerry’s rural heartland, it reflects local wit and resilience. Traditional; recorded by The Dubliners.
- By Killarney’s Lakes and Fells: A romantic song celebrating the lakes and mountains of Killarney, a jewel of Kerry’s tourism. It highlights the town’s natural beauty and its status as a cultural landmark. Written by Edmund Falconer (music) and Michael William Balfe, from the 1861 opera The Rose of Castille.
- The Tinkerman’s Daughter: A poignant ballad about a tragic love story between a tinker’s daughter and a settled man, set in Kerry. It reflects the county’s rural life and social dynamics, particularly around Listowel. Written by Mickey MacConnell, a Fermanagh-born songwriter who lived in Listowel for over 30 years.
- Lonely Banna Strand: A republican ballad commemorating Roger Casement’s 1916 landing at Banna Strand, Kerry, to deliver arms for the Easter Rising. It captures the county’s role in Ireland’s fight for independence and its coastal history. Traditional; often performed by The Wolfe Tones.
- Sweet Castleisland: A song celebrating Castleisland, a market town in Kerry, focusing on its community, markets, and rural charm. It evokes local pride and nostalgia for small-town life. Traditional.; part of Kerry’s folk tradition.
- The Valley of Knockanure: A somber ballad recounting the 1921 ambush of IRA volunteers in Knockanure during the Irish War of Independence. It reflects Kerry’s revolutionary past and the sacrifices of its communities. Traditional, often attributed to Brian O’Higgins; recorded by artists like P.J. Murrihy.
Songs
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
County Anthem
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
County Kerry:
Ireland’s county Kerry is renowned for its dramatic landscapes, with the Ring of Kerry offering scenic drives past lakes and coastal cliffs. Killarney National Park features the serene Lakes of Killarney and historic Muckross House, while Dingle’s coastal trails and dolphin-watching opportunities add natural allure. Accessible by seasonal ferry, the Skellig Islands’ ancient monastic ruins make Kerry a compelling choice for outdoor adventure and history. Kerry is Ireland’s fifth largest county by size (4,701 square km) and 15th largest by population (156,458). Population peaked at 293,880 in 1841 and reached its lowest point, 112,785 in 1966. In terms of hospitality, Kerry is Ireland’s fourth most visited tourist county with around 877,000 international visitors per year.
Introduction – Adventure – Anthem – Archaeology – Attractions – Awards – Birdwatching – Camping – Castles – Churches – Contact list – Cycling – Dining – Equestrian – Festivals – Fishing – Folklore – Gardens – Golf – Graveyards – Happening – Haunted – Highest – Hiking – History – Holy Wells – Hotels – Hotels top 8 – Hunting & shooting – Instagrammable – Itineraries – Largest town – Luxury – MICE – Movies – Music – Name – New – Novelists – Off the beaten track – Poets – Pubs – Quotes – Random Facts – Restaurant Awards – Sacred Places – Saints – Songs – Spas – Sports – Sunsets – Sustainable – Things to do – Towns – Video – Villages – Walking – Wanderlist – Weddings – Wild swimming – Writers – 1837 – 1846 – 1852 – 1909 – 1955 – 1980 –
