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Blennerville
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Blennerville is a
small village about 2km from Tralee. Blennerville is known as the
gateway to the Dingle peninsula. It is in a great position for
walkers to get a good start for the Dingle Way and has the advantage
of being close to the full range of services that Tralee has to
offer, whilst having pubs and shops of its own.
The famous Blennerville Windmill stands out as the dominant landmark
in Tralee Bay. This eye-catching 20 metre high structure was
restored in recent years and now lays claim to being the largest
working windmill in Ireland. Dating back to 1800, it flourished
until 1850. The Windmill is now part of a visitor centre. At the
Blennerville Visitor Centre you will find the working Windmill and
audio-visual presentation as well as an exhibition gallery, craft
shop and restaurant. It also includes a Bird Watching platform with
telescope overlooking “Slí na nÉan” – “the Way of the Birds”
During famine times many people left for America on the emigrant
ships that sailed from the pier beside the Blennerville Windmill.
The visitor centre houses a detailed display on Irish Emigration
including models of the infamous ‘coffin ships’. A replica of the
Jeannie Johnston emigrant ship was built in Blennerville. The
original ship made 16 voyages from Blennerville to North America,
between 1848 and 1855, sailing to Quebec, Baltimore and New York and
carried over 2.500 emigrants. Unlike many of the other 19th century
emigrant ships or so called ‘’coffin ships’’, no crew or passenger
lives were ever lost on board the Jeannie Johnston.
A section of the the famous Tralee to Dingle Light Railway
(1891-1953) has recently been restored. Visitors today can
experience the sensation of travelling by steam train from the
special railway station at Ballyard. The 3km trip goes from
Blennerville to Tralee and back.
Blennerville is less than 5 minutes from Tralee town where a wide
range of activities to suit all the family are available including
Siamsa Theatre, indoor swimming pool, Aquadome, dancing, omniplex
cinema, greyhound racing and many more. The Blennerville Threshing
Festival takes place annually in late September/ early October. |
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Blennerville Holiday Homes - County Kerry, Ireland