Tralee

<p><strong>By Georgina Downes</strong></p>
<p>Want to connect to something older than the latest feed on your phone? Then step into the misty, magical world of North Kerry’s historic sites. Explore ancient tombs, drink healing water, marvel at towers, straight as a tube of Pringles, and basically walk the hallowed, blood-soaked ground that our saints and ancestors fought and died on. Pack a picnic. It will be fun.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<h3><strong>Visit Scotia’s Grave</strong></h3>
<p>Kerry and ancient Egypt are connected. Unlikely as that might sound, here's the fascinating story. A stones-throw outside Tralee, you’ll find an ethereal-looking place known as Scotia’s Glen. According to Irish myth (and one or two reputable Scottish historians), this is where the Celtic Milesians, led by Scota, or Queen Scotia as she was known, trounced the Tuatha dé Danann in the battle of Sliabh Mish. Sadly, Scota is said to have died in the clash after falling off her horse while trying to jump a bank. And, it is also said she was pregnant at the time. According to folklore, her body is buried here under the massive, horizontal stone laying in the glen, inscribed with Egyptian hieroglyphs, hence Scotia’s Grave.&nbsp;</p>
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<h5>Hierogylphs similar to these can be found on Scotia's Grave</h5>
<p>But who was she? Apparently, Scota was an Egyptian princess, reputedly the daughter of Akhenaton and Nefertiti. To give some context, Moses (from the OT) is said to have saved her husband’s life after he was bitten by a venomous snake. The couple fled Egypt over religious differences and landed in Scotland sometime between 1350 to 1400 BC. She subsequently became Queen Scotia, after whom Scotland is named. Her husband, Gaythelos, gave his name to the Gales.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Later, she and her followers were forced to leave Scotland and eventually rocked up in Ireland, where they formed the Scotti, and their offspring became the High Kings of Ireland. Netflix mini-series anyone? Scotia’s Glen is an absolute must if you want to absorb some ancient lore and Egyptian mysticism. Scotia's Grave is on the southern slopes of Knockmichael Mountain in the Slieve Mish Mountain range at the east end of the Dingle Peninsula.</p>
<h3><strong>Healing Water? Yes Please</strong></h3>
<p>This little spot in Tubrid, Ardfert, oozes lore. It’s said to be the place of Saint Brendan’s baptism (484 AD) and the burial site of St Ita herself. Legend has it that in the nineteenth century, during Penal Law, a priest was celebrating Mass here when soldiers arrived to arrest him. Suddenly a flock of lambs appeared from nowhere and, mesmerized by what they saw, the soldiers followed the flock to the edge of the sea where the lambs disappeared into the waves. The soldiers were so shocked they forgot all about the priest and wandered away in silence. Since that time, that well is called Wether’s Well.</p>
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<p>Printed instructions invite you to follow a ritual of circling the well in prayer or contemplation. Take some time out. Do a meditation. Breathe in the energy. If you want to experience the maximum benefits of the well’s fabled healing water, mark the first Saturday of June firmly in your diary because apparently, that’s when the water hits its most powerful peek.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<h3><strong>OMG it's an Ogham Stone</strong>&nbsp;</h3>
<p>If you’ve always wanted to see an ogham stone up close and IRL, head for Chute Hall, just outside Tralee where you’ll find two of the Tullygaran stones tucked in behind the gates at the entrance. These are part of a set of seven that were discovered in 1848 when a storm uncovered an ancient burial ground called Kilvickillane, on the shore of Smerwick Bay. The 4th Baron of Ventry moved this pair to Chute Hall, his Tralee home at the time. Four more can be found along the driveway of Colaiste Ide (school) in Dingle and one of the stones remains at its original site.&nbsp;</p>
<h3><strong>Rattoo Round Tower</strong></h3>
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<p>Even if history isn’t your thing, you’ll be massively impressed by the sheer beauty, craft and masonry-expertise of The Rattoo Round Tower in the parish of Ballyduff. This amazing structure stands on the grounds of an ancient monetary and zooms like a rocket 90 feet into the air. There are five levels and five windows; one on the fourth floor and four at the top that facilitate views north, south, east and west. 360˚ visibility was vital to the monk’s safety. They say the tower was founded by Bishop Lughach, one of the first Christian evangelists in County Kerry.&nbsp;</p>
<p>This tower has two unique features not found on any other tower in Ireland. Carved inside the north-facing window you’ll see a Sheela-na-gig, which is an unpleasant-looking, explicit carving thought to be a protective symbol to ward off evildoers and another curvilinear carving can be seen above the entrance doorway. It’s even rumoured that women used to rub the Sheela-na-gig when they wanted to have a baby. If you’re in that demographic, maybe give it a go. No judgment here :)&nbsp;</p>


Folklore Worthy of a Mini-Series

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