Rattoo Round Tower

Found near the village of Ballyduff and about 25km north of Tralee, the Rattoo Round Tower stands on the grounds of an ancient monastery. It’s thought to have been founded by Bishop Lughach, one of the first Christian evangelists in County Kerry.

The round tower, which dates from about 1100, is very well preserved and features unique moulding with a curvilinear design. There is also a fascinating sheela-na-gig, an ugly, explicit carving used as a protective symbol. It is the only example found in an Irish round tower.

Additionally, the site boasts the ruins of a 15th-century church, whose structure includes stones from an earlier house of worship.