Kerry Writers’ Museum
Museum in a restored Georgian house in Listowel with themed writers’ rooms for John B. Keane, Bryan MacMahon, Brendan Kennelly and other Kerry authors.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Kerry Writers’ Museum occupies a restored nineteenth-century Georgian house in The Square in Listowel, next to Listowel Castle. Its story began in 1994 with the newly founded North Kerry Literary Task Force, which wanted to create a centre of literary and cultural excellence to honour the county’s writers. Building and refurbishment work started in 1997 and the museum was officially opened in April 2001.
The museum celebrates the lives and work of authors, playwrights and poets who came from or were inspired by Kerry. Themed installations in a series of writers’ rooms present John B. Keane, Bryan MacMahon, Brendan Kennelly, Maurice Walsh and George Fitzmaurice, with original artefacts and materials from the collection. Other displays include the interactive exhibition Listowel Through the Ages, Kerry women in literature, the heritage of amateur drama in Kerry, the Celtic Illumination Collection and a Púca story trail for children.
Visitors can take a recorded self-guided audio tour narrated by a local storyteller, or groups can book a costumed performance tour called Windows of Wonder. The museum also runs Listowel’s community tourist office, a café, school tours and education programmes.
Highlights
- Themed writers’ rooms for Kerry’s best-known authors
- Audio tour narrated by a local seanchaí (storyteller)
- Windows of Wonder performance tour for groups
- Listowel Through the Ages interactive exhibition
- Púca story trail for younger visitors
Permanent exhibitions
- Writers’ Rooms – Themed installations for John B. Keane, Bryan MacMahon, Brendan Kennelly, Maurice Walsh and George Fitzmaurice, with original artefacts from the museum’s collection.
- Listowel Through the Ages – An interactive exhibition on the landscape, history and folklore of Listowel and its surroundings.
- Founded
- 2001
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €10 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €8Seniors aged 65 and over, and students with valid ID |
| Children & teens | €5free up to age 10 · Aged 11 to 17. Children aged 10 and under are free when accompanied by an adult, as a family promotion that does not apply to groups. |
| Seniors | €8Aged 65 and over. |
| Students & apprentices | €8Valid student ID required. |
| Groups (10+ people) | €15 per personPerformance guided tours for groups of 10 or more cost €15 per person. |
| Families | €20Two adults and two children. |
The ticket price covers the self-guided museum visit.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The museum states that it is fully accessible, with lift access to all levels and separate accessible toilets. Specially adapted handheld audio devices are available for visitors with hearing difficulties. Guide and assistance dogs are welcome.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Time needed | approx. 1.5 hrs |
|---|---|
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 10 |
| Family ticket | €20 · Two adults and two children. |
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
- Hands-on stations
- Baby changing facilities
The Púca Story Trail with interactive stories is designed for younger visitors, and children under 11 enter free with an adult. A family ticket and baby-changing facilities are available.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
There is a regular public bus service, with a bus stop close to the museum.
By car
Parking available
Paid parking on the Square in front of the museum (€2 for 2 hours) and a free public car park behind the museum. Free coach parking on the Square.
Listowel is on the N69 Shannon Estuary road, 28 km from Tralee and about 18 km from the Killimer to Tarbert car ferry.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
The museum has the Castle View Café. Baby-changing facilities are available.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 2 hrs |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes |
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | The self-guided audio tour takes about 1.5 hours. The Windows of Wonder performance tour for groups of at least 10 lasts two hours, can be adapted to the time available, and must be booked at least two days in advance. School tours are offered. |
