Skip to content

Rattoo Tower & North Kerry Museum

    Rattoo Tower, near Ballyduff in north Kerry, is the last surviving complete round tower in Kerry. Over the last number of years it has been the subject to careful preservation by the Office of Public Works.  The impressive tower is over one thousand years old. It is nearly 100 feet high and was built from local sandstone. Most of the round towers in Ireland are associated with monastic sites and Rattoo is no exception. It is adjacent to the site of the ruined Rattoo Church and burial ground dating back to the 15th century.  Also in the vicinity was the Church of Saint Augustine of Hippo built as a family chapel by the local landlord, Wilson Gunn, in 1877.  The Church of Ireland authorities relocated the church to Ballybunion in 1957 and reinterred Wilson Gunn and his wife there.

    Located near Ballyduff is the wonderful North Kerry Museum founded by Rattoo Heritage Society.  This museum is a real treasure-trove of historical information, antiquities and a wonderful photographic exhibition. This is definitely one of the hidden gems that is to be found in Kerry on the Wild Atlantic Way.