1.9 Heritage & Built Environment

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1.9 Heritage & Built Environment

The architectural form of Tralee, superimposed along a meandering medieval street pattern, is predominantly characterised by the Victorian style, typically comprising narrow fronted three and four storey terraced houses. As the morphology or make-up of the town is essentially a few hundred years old, the character of the town; its street and plot pattern, market square, Blennerville Windmill, canal and rivers, can be appreciated fully within the context of the town’s heritage and cultural identity. It is also interesting to note that much of Tralee’s older building stock; its fine public buildings, warehouses and grain mills, and town centre commercial buildings, were built over a very short period of time in the early to mid-nineteenth century.

1.9.1 Archaeological Heritage

Kerry County Council acknowledges the importance of Tralee’s unique identity and historical sense of place. The Council will promote its archaeological heritage as a resource for education purposes to increase public awareness and to ensure that it is suitably protected and conserved. This will include the enhancement of the archaeological/architectural heritage walking trail around Tralee.  

1.9.2 Architectural Heritage

Tralee’s mercantile character coupled with its judicial and political role have influenced the town’s growth and morphological development in terms of layout and buildings. Tralee is predominantly characterised by Victorian architecture laid out along a meandering medieval street pattern, interspersed with fine examples of Georgian architecture, such as Day place and Denny Street. The historic built environment of Tralee going back to medieval times provides a sense of place and uniqueness. The maintenance of a visually aesthetic public domain can attract inward investment and tourism. Within that context the built heritage can provide an invaluable link with Tralee’s history and evolution while fostering a sense of ownership and pride.

Day Place photograph

1.9.2.1 Architectural Conservation Areas

The Council will endeavour to conserve the historical built environment, the traditional townscape and the setting of the Architectural Conservation Areas (see Volume 3). The Architectural Conservation Areas’ in Tralee Town include:

Architectural Conservation Areas map

Map 1.10: Architectural Conservation Areas (click to enlarge)
  • Town Park/ Denny Street/ St. John’s Church Area, The Square and Precinct
  • Dominican’s Church/ Day Place Area
  • Rock Street/ Ashe Street, Edward Street, Ashe Street, Castle Street
  • Caherina Cottages
  • Urban Terrace, Rock Street
  • Blennerville Village Area
1.9.3 Arts, Heritage and Culture

Tralee has all the assets and facilities required of a county capital, including a vibrant and rich built heritage dating back more than 800 years. The town centre is steeped in heritage and culture with high quality facilities and attractions including:  Tralee Architectural Conservation Area, Siamsa Tíre – the National Folk Theatre of Ireland, Kerry County Museum, Tralee Town Park, St. John’s Catholic Church and St. John’s Church of Ireland Church, Holy Cross Dominican Church and Day Place, The Market Quarter, The Court House, Casement Train Station, Kerry Protestant Hall, Ashe Memorial Hall and Denny Street. 

Denny Street Photograph

From an economic perspective, the Arts/Heritage and the Creative Sector have much to contribute to Tralee in terms of employment, economic and local enterprise. The arts and heritage in Tralee are vibrant, rich in content, in history and in potential. The Local Authority will ensure that this potential is maximised to ensure that arts and heritage will play a central role in the development of the town.

In Tralee Town Centre, the Local Authority recognizes the value of establishing a coherent, cohesive genuine historical identity that compliments the strengths and qualities of what Tralee has to offer and enhances the vibrancy and vitality of the town centre experience.

The future of Tralee will be better served by enhancing its historical identity through conservation of its landmark buildings and providing the necessary connections and improved awareness and accessibility for the local and visitor to the towns existing extensive and varied events, activities, products, services and experiences.

Improving awareness and enabling greater accessibility to experience the historical characteristics of the town centre, would lead to an increased understanding and sense of place.  By conserving, enhancing and integrating the quality of Tralee’s urban, archaeological and architectural heritage it will serve to enhance the experience of the town centre, improve the quality of life and potentially increase shopper / visitor dwell time and expenditure in local businesses thereby stimulating further opportunity, new jobs and potential.

Ashe Memorial Hall Photograph

Heritage & Built Environment Objectives

It is an objective of the Council to:

TR 69

Increase public awareness of the value and importance of the arts, culture, archaeological and architectural heritage in Tralee, strengthening the sense of identity and sense of place.

TR 70

Enhance the awareness and accessibility of art, culture and heritage within Tralee through the development of improved wayfinding and interpretation.

TR 71

Facilitate and support the conservation led rejuvenation of the Ashe Memorial Hall.

TR 72

Support and promote Siamsa Tire, National Folk Theatre and its heritage.

TR 73

Support and promote the development of the Tralee Heritage Quarter.

TR 74

Enhance the accessibility of the “Heritage Trail” within the Town Centre.

TR 75

Enhance Denny Street and links to Georgian Day Place.

TR 76

Support architectural surveys of the town.

TR 77

Ensure that developments within Blennerville have regard to and comply with the provisions of the Tralee Town Council (2012) Blennerville Architectural Conservation Area Management Plan.

1.9.4 Buildings of Historical Character

A number of key buildings of historical character exist in the town that have potential for development for enterprise/office or residential use. These buildings and their surrounding lands are often underutilised or even in a semi derelict condition. The reuse of these buildings increases viability and vitality of the town centre. A number of the buildings are protected structures. 

These buildings include mills, warehouses and schools and mostly date from the mid to the late nineteenth century and offer a reminder of the richness of Tralee’s industrial heritage. It is preferable that these are developed and occupied rather than remain vacant and prone to dereliction and vandalism. In view of this the Planning   Authority   will   actively   promote   and   facilitate   the   sustainable   re-development and re-use of these structures and sites. 

Buildings of Historical Character Objective

It is an objective of the Council to:

TR 78

Facilitate and support the sustainable re-development of Tralee’s buildings of historical character (including protected structures).

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