Fenit Island
Encyclopedia
Fenit Island is a populated island, in on the coast of County Kerry
, connected to the mainland by a sandbar. Located in Tralee Bay
, the island encloses Barrow Harbour
. Historically, the area was called 'Fenit Within'. It is adjacent to the areas of 'Tawlacht' and 'Fenit Without' on the mainland. The terms within/without refer to the walled protection that surrounded parts of the island from attackers from the landward side.
The island is accessible by foot along the sandbar at most times, and by car at low tide, by driving on the beach. Many old ruins exist on the island, including a castle, two churches and a graveyard. The Castle is the only one of these ruins that remain visible today. it was built by the FitzMaurices in the 17th Century.
Saint Brendan the Navigator was born in 484AD most likely in Fenit Island.
Enclosing Barrow Harbour
from Tralee Bay
, to protect Barrow Harbour
from sea bourne attackers, an iron or steel chain was stretched across the neck of water, between the mainland and the island near the castle.
Saint Brendan
, the Navigator was born on Fenit Island. Lat/Long 52.17/9.52
County Kerry
Kerry means the "people of Ciar" which was the name of the pre-Gaelic tribe who lived in part of the present county. The legendary founder of the tribe was Ciar, son of Fergus mac Róich. In Old Irish "Ciar" meant black or dark brown, and the word continues in use in modern Irish as an adjective...
, connected to the mainland by a sandbar. Located in Tralee Bay
Tralee Bay
Tralee Bay is located in on the west coast of County Kerry, Ireland. It is situated between Kerry Head on the north side and the Maharees on the west and extends eastwards as far as the bridge at Blennerville. Several small rivers feed into the bay through the town of Tralee...
, the island encloses Barrow Harbour
Barrow Harbour
Barrow Harbour is a tidal inlet off Tralee Bay, County Kerry, Ireland. Once, it was the major port for the region, servicing the monastic settlement of Ardfert and the general area of Tralee...
. Historically, the area was called 'Fenit Within'. It is adjacent to the areas of 'Tawlacht' and 'Fenit Without' on the mainland. The terms within/without refer to the walled protection that surrounded parts of the island from attackers from the landward side.
The island is accessible by foot along the sandbar at most times, and by car at low tide, by driving on the beach. Many old ruins exist on the island, including a castle, two churches and a graveyard. The Castle is the only one of these ruins that remain visible today. it was built by the FitzMaurices in the 17th Century.
Saint Brendan the Navigator was born in 484AD most likely in Fenit Island.
Enclosing Barrow Harbour
Barrow Harbour
Barrow Harbour is a tidal inlet off Tralee Bay, County Kerry, Ireland. Once, it was the major port for the region, servicing the monastic settlement of Ardfert and the general area of Tralee...
from Tralee Bay
Tralee Bay
Tralee Bay is located in on the west coast of County Kerry, Ireland. It is situated between Kerry Head on the north side and the Maharees on the west and extends eastwards as far as the bridge at Blennerville. Several small rivers feed into the bay through the town of Tralee...
, to protect Barrow Harbour
Barrow Harbour
Barrow Harbour is a tidal inlet off Tralee Bay, County Kerry, Ireland. Once, it was the major port for the region, servicing the monastic settlement of Ardfert and the general area of Tralee...
from sea bourne attackers, an iron or steel chain was stretched across the neck of water, between the mainland and the island near the castle.
Saint Brendan
Brendan
Saint Brendan of Clonfert or Bréanainn of Clonfert called "the Navigator", "the Voyager", or "the Bold" is one of the early Irish monastic saints. He is chiefly renowned for his legendary quest to the "Isle of the Blessed," also called St. Brendan's Island. The Voyage of St...
, the Navigator was born on Fenit Island. Lat/Long 52.17/9.52