Rathkeale is a town in west County Limerick

County Limerick

It is thought that humans had established themselves in the Lough Gur area of the county as early as 3000 BC, while megalithic remains found at Duntryleague date back further to 3500 BC...

, Ireland. It is located 30 km (18 mi) southwest of Limerick

Limerick

Limerick is the third largest city in the Republic of Ireland, and the principal city of County Limerick and Ireland's Mid-West Region. It is the fifth most populous city in all of Ireland. When taking the extra-municipal suburbs into account, Limerick is the third largest conurbation in the...

 city on the N21 road

N21 road

The N21 road is a national primary road in Ireland. The route runs from the M20 outside Limerick to Tralee with connecting roads to other parts of County Kerry. It is in length. It runs through the towns of Abbeyfeale, Newcastlewest, Adare and the village of Templeglantine. Prior to October 2010...

 to Tralee, and lies on the River Deel

River Deel

The River Deel is in County Limerick, Ireland.The river rises near Dromina in North County Cork and flows north into County Limerick for over 60 km to enter the Shannon Estuary at Askeaton....

. Rathkeale has a significant Irish Traveller

Irish Traveller

Irish Travellers are a traditionally nomadic people of ethnic Irish origin, who maintain a separate language and set of traditions. They live predominantly in the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom and the United States.-Etymology:...

 population.

Rathkeale has shopping facilities, a museum and a community college (Coláiste na Trócaire, founded in 1995). The town has a large Roman Catholic

Roman Catholic Church

The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...

 parish church, Augustinian Abbey

Abbey

An abbey is a Catholic monastery or convent, under the authority of an Abbot or an Abbess, who serves as the spiritual father or mother of the community.The term can also refer to an establishment which has long ceased to function as an abbey,...

 ruins and the Holy Trinity Church of Ireland

Church of Ireland

The Church of Ireland is an autonomous province of the Anglican Communion. The church operates in all parts of Ireland and is the second largest religious body on the island after the Roman Catholic Church...

 church.

Places of interest

• Rathkeale's former railway station on the closed North Kerry railway line from Limerick
  Limerick
  Limerick is the third largest city in the Republic of Ireland, and the principal city of County Limerick and Ireland's Mid-West Region. It is the fifth most populous city in all of Ireland. When taking the extra-municipal suburbs into account, Limerick is the third largest conurbation in the...
  
   to Tralee has been converted into the Irish Palatine Museum.
• Within the cemetery of Holy Trinity Church are many gravestones bearing names of Irish Palatine
  German Palatines
  The German Palatines were natives of the Electoral Palatinate region of Germany, although a few had come to Germany from Switzerland, the Alsace, and probably other parts of Europe. Towards the end of the 17th century and into the 18th, the wealthy region was repeatedly invaded by French troops,...
  
   families. These families came from Germany as economic refugees in 1709. Many of their descendants now live in North America.
• On the southwestern edge of the town stands the 15th century tower house of Castle Matrix, formerly a property of an Earl of Desmond
  Earl of Desmond
  The title of Earl of Desmond has been held historically by lords in Ireland, first as a title outside of the peerage system and later as part of the Peerage of Ireland....
  
  , which contains a display of art objects and holds historical records.
• Sean (Jackie) Finn
  Sean C. Finn
  Sean Finn was a commander of multiple units in the IRA's Irish War of Independence in the early 20th Century...
  
   of the IRA during the War of Independence was a native of Rathkeale. His grave located in the local graveyard features an impressive celtic cross.

Transport

Rathkeale railway station opened on 1 January 1867, closed for passenger traffic on 4 February 1963 and finally closed altogether on 2 December 1974. The Great Southern Trail

Great Southern Trail

The Great Southern Trail is a greenway rail trail under development in Counties Limerick and Kerry, Ireland. It is intended to be long when completed and run from Limerick to Tralee. It is an off-road trail intended for use by cyclists and walkers...

 is a greenway

Greenway (landscape)

A greenway is a long, narrow piece of land, often used for recreation and pedestrian and bicycle user traffic, and sometimes for streetcar, light rail or retail uses.- Terminology :...

 rail trail

Rail trail

A rail trail is the conversion of a disused railway easement into a multi-use path, typically for walking, cycling and sometimes horse riding. The characteristics of former tracks—flat, long, frequently running through historical areas—are appealing for various development. The term sometimes also...

 which follows the route of the former Limerick-Tralee railway line between Rathkeale and Abbeyfeale

Abbeyfeale

Abbeyfeale is a historical market town in County Limerick, Ireland near the boundary with County Kerry. The town is in the midwest of Ireland, some from Newcastle West on the N21 – the main road from Limerick to Tralee.-Geography:...

.

See also

• List of towns and villages in Ireland