Fenit
Encyclopedia
Fenit is a small village in County Kerry
, Ireland, located on north side of Tralee Bay
about 10 km (6 mi) west of Tralee town, just south of the Shannon Estuary
. The bay is enclosed from the Atlantic by the Maharee spit which extends northwards from the Dingle peninsula
. Fenit harbour is a mixed function sea port
, where fishing, freight import and export, and a 136 berth marina
are the main forms of business. The population was 435 in the 2006 CSO census while nearby Tralee and its suburbs have a population of 22,744. The harbour and marina cater to commercial traffic, fishing boats and leisure craft.
in close proximity to what is now Fenit harbour around 484, and is honoured by a large bronze monument in the harbour area. It has been suggested that Brendan arrived in the Americas prior to Christopher Columbus
but this has not been proven. though Tim Severin
demonstrated it is possible that a leather-clad boat such as the one described in the Navigatio could have potentially reached North America.
In 1583, during the Spanish Armada in Ireland
, the sloop Nuestra Señora del Socorro (Our Lady of the Socorro) (75 tons) anchored at Fenit, in Tralee Bay, where it was surrendered to crown officers. The 24 men on board were taken into custody and marched to Tralee castle. On the orders of Lady Margaret Denny, they were all hanged from a gibbet
.
In the mid-19th century, the sailing ship Jeanie Johnston
traded out of Tralee, transporting emigrants to the USA and Canada and in 2000 a replica was built in Fenit harbour.
A post office
was opened in the village between 1883 and 1885 and postal services are still provided. Fenit is recorded as having cancelled paquebot mail.
The village and environs were the scene of the ill-fated attempt of Sir Roger Casement
and cohorts to land arms at Banna Strand
to aid the Easter Rising
. Casement was landed from a German submarine, just north of the harbour in the early hours of April 21, 1916, but the ship, Aud Norge, never landed at Fenit and was scuttled in Cork harbour by its German captain lest the British forces take possession of the arms cache.
History repeated itself when in 1984, the Marita Ann a Fenit-registered boat, attempted a similar operation on behalf of the Provisional Irish Republican Army
. They were discovered by the authorities and arrested off the coast. This operation had the present TD for Kerry North, Martin Ferris
prosecuted for gun-running, convicted for the possession of explosive substances for unlawful purpose and for possession of firearms and ammunition with intent to endanger life. Ferris served 10 years in prison.
On 8 August 1922, during the Irish Civil War
, Fenit was the scene of a major seaborne landing, from the ship Lady Wicklow, by 450 Free State
troops, as part of an civil war offensive
to re-take Kerry and the Republican
-held province of Munster
The republican forces had intended to blow up the pier if an attack was launched but the charges were rendered inoperable by unknown persons in an attempt to minimise damage to the port.
The harbour at Fenit, called FENIT, is the most westerly commercial port of Ireland, Britain and Mainland Europe. The port is owned by the Irish state and was operated under the 1946 Harbours Act by the Tralee and Fenit Pier and Harbour Commissioners until October 2011, when it became the responsibility of the Kerry County Council. Fenit is the only commercial port between Foynes
on the River Shannon
and Cork
. It is located between Kerry Head
to the north and Brandon Head to the south. The deep water port is a major asset to County Kerry and caters for vessels up to 17,000 Dwt.
The Tralee Harbour Board was established in 1840. Commercial shipping started to use Blennerville
, at the head of Tralee Bay, as the access point for the town of Tralee. Prior to this cargo for Tralee was transported through Barrow Harbour
, a natural sea inlet, just north of Fenit. Barrow Harbour was, historically, the port used to service Ardfert
, now a village but, in the monastic era, it was a major ecclesiastical centre with students and monks from many parts of Europe. In 1880, Fenit harbour was built and the Harbour Board took on the name "Tralee and Fenit Pier and Harbour Board".
It has traditionally served as the merchants' port for Tralee. Coal, grain timber, etc., were landed during the 20th century with oil and cranes becoming the main cargo until the fuel distribution base was dismantled in the late 1990s. The main deep sea pier is 175m long with extensive storage facilities available. Regularly accommodating 15,000 tonne ships, the port is a very picturesque mixed use port with a marina, fishing and commercial ships. There are about 15 shipments per year. This is almost totally due to the export of container cranes manufactured by Liebherr's
Irish subsidiary, based in Killarney, which are shipped all over the world.
The port was a major port for landing fish in the 1970s. The local fishing industry has all but ceased due to EU quota limits and competition from larger fleets from Spain and France. Until 2006, French companies still used the port to land fish that were then transported directly to the European mainland. The oil industry has, in the past, used Fenit as a base for their supply boats on several occasions when exploring off the west and southwest coast of Ireland.
Fenit Marina, built in 1997, largely with the aid of EU
funding, is a 130-berth marina located at Fenit harbour and is connected to the land by an 800m causeway
and viaduct
. The marina caters to leisure craft for boats from 6m to 15m in length with an approach depth of 5m which provides access at all tidal levels. The minimum depth of water is 3m.
Dingle Marina
is the next marina to the south, Kilrush
is the next marina to the north. Some other famous ships and boats associated with Fenit are; Nuestra Señora del Socorro and Nonoalca
.
In 1851 a lighthouse
was built on the little Samphire
island, located a few hundred meters west of Fenit pier. A large bronze sculpture of Saint Brendan was erected in 2004 on Great Samphire Island, the rock around which the harbour was built. This island has been utilised as part of the port development and its name of 'Great Samphire Island' appears to refer to the height when compared to its much flatter twin Little Samphire Island. 'Samphire' is a small flowering plant used in cookery and lends its name to the twin islands in the bay.
used to operate three buses per day in and out of Fenit in the 1980s. Bus services are virtually non-existent and primarily service the school-going populace during term time.
The R551 and R558 roads lead to Tralee. Kerry Regional Airport
is approximately thirty minutes away. Both Shannon
and Cork airports take about a two hours car journey.
The old disused railway between Fenit and Tralee is now underway into being converted into a walkway and cycleway for the local populace. This is going along the lines of the Great Southern Trail
situated in West Limerick (see Southern Trail. Net)
Tralee Golf Club had their original course situated on Fenit island at the end of the 19th Century and it now exists across the straits of Barrow Harbour
, having also been located at two locations in Tralee; Mounthawk and Lis Beg, Oakpark in the interim.
Recreational angling
is a popular activity in Fenit where many visitors fish from the viaduct
. Tralee Bay Sea Angling Club, the largest angling club in Ireland, have their clubhouse on the marina breakwater in the harbour. Tralee Bay Sailing Club have a slipway and clubhouse building on a prominent point overlooking the harbour and bay. Tralee is a major tourism destination and has seen some €55 million of tourism investment over the past several years. The local soccer team now bears the name 'Fenit Samphires' which were established in 1994. The local gaelic football team, Churchill, includes members from Fenit village, the townland of Churchill, and the adjacent village of The Spa.
A few pubs and restaurants are located in the village.
The old disused railway between Fenit and Tralee is now underway into being converted into a walkway and cycleway for the local populace. This is going along the lines of the Great Southern Trail situated in West Limerick.
County Kerry
Kerry means the "people of Ciar" which was the name of the pre-Gaelic tribe who lived in part of the present county. The legendary founder of the tribe was Ciar, son of Fergus mac Róich. In Old Irish "Ciar" meant black or dark brown, and the word continues in use in modern Irish as an adjective...
, Ireland, located on north side of Tralee Bay
Tralee Bay
Tralee Bay is located in on the west coast of County Kerry, Ireland. It is situated between Kerry Head on the north side and the Maharees on the west and extends eastwards as far as the bridge at Blennerville. Several small rivers feed into the bay through the town of Tralee...
about 10 km (6 mi) west of Tralee town, just south of the Shannon Estuary
Shannon Estuary
The Shannon Estuary is a large estuary where the River Shannon flows into the Atlantic Ocean. The estuary has Limerick at its head and its seaward limits are marked by Loop Head to the north and Kerry Head to the south...
. The bay is enclosed from the Atlantic by the Maharee spit which extends northwards from the Dingle peninsula
Dingle Peninsula
The Dingle Peninsula is the northernmost of the major peninsulae in County Kerry. Its ends beyond the town of Dingle at Dunmore Head, the westernmost point of Ireland.-Name:...
. Fenit harbour is a mixed function sea port
Port
A port is a location on a coast or shore containing one or more harbors where ships can dock and transfer people or cargo to or from land....
, where fishing, freight import and export, and a 136 berth marina
Marina
A marina is a dock or basin with moorings and supplies for yachts and small boats.A marina differs from a port in that a marina does not handle large passenger ships or cargo from freighters....
are the main forms of business. The population was 435 in the 2006 CSO census while nearby Tralee and its suburbs have a population of 22,744. The harbour and marina cater to commercial traffic, fishing boats and leisure craft.
History
Saint Brendan, the navigator, was probably born north west of the village on Fenit IslandFenit Island
Fenit Island is a populated island, in on the coast of County Kerry, connected to the mainland by a sandbar. Located in Tralee Bay, the island encloses Barrow Harbour. Historically, the area was called 'Fenit Within'. It is adjacent to the areas of 'Tawlacht' and 'Fenit Without' on the mainland...
in close proximity to what is now Fenit harbour around 484, and is honoured by a large bronze monument in the harbour area. It has been suggested that Brendan arrived in the Americas prior to Christopher Columbus
Christopher Columbus
Christopher Columbus was an explorer, colonizer, and navigator, born in the Republic of Genoa, in northwestern Italy. Under the auspices of the Catholic Monarchs of Spain, he completed four voyages across the Atlantic Ocean that led to general European awareness of the American continents in the...
but this has not been proven. though Tim Severin
Tim Severin
Tim Severin is a British explorer, historian and writer. Severin is noted for his work in retracing the legendary journeys of historical figures. Severin was awarded both the Gold Medal of the Royal Geographical Society and the Livingstone Medal of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society...
demonstrated it is possible that a leather-clad boat such as the one described in the Navigatio could have potentially reached North America.
In 1583, during the Spanish Armada in Ireland
Spanish Armada in Ireland
The Spanish Armada in Ireland refers to the landfall made upon the coast of Ireland in September 1588 of a large portion of the 130-strong fleet sent by Philip II to invade England....
, the sloop Nuestra Señora del Socorro (Our Lady of the Socorro) (75 tons) anchored at Fenit, in Tralee Bay, where it was surrendered to crown officers. The 24 men on board were taken into custody and marched to Tralee castle. On the orders of Lady Margaret Denny, they were all hanged from a gibbet
Gibbet
A gibbet is a gallows-type structure from which the dead bodies of executed criminals were hung on public display to deter other existing or potential criminals. In earlier times, up to the late 17th century, live gibbeting also took place, in which the criminal was placed alive in a metal cage...
.
Jeanie Johnston
The Jeanie Johnston is a replica of a three masted barque that was originally built in Quebec, Canada in 1847 by the Scottish-born shipbuilder John Munn.- Original Ship :...
traded out of Tralee, transporting emigrants to the USA and Canada and in 2000 a replica was built in Fenit harbour.
A post office
Post office
A post office is a facility forming part of a postal system for the posting, receipt, sorting, handling, transmission or delivery of mail.Post offices offer mail-related services such as post office boxes, postage and packaging supplies...
was opened in the village between 1883 and 1885 and postal services are still provided. Fenit is recorded as having cancelled paquebot mail.
The village and environs were the scene of the ill-fated attempt of Sir Roger Casement
Roger Casement
Roger David Casement —Sir Roger Casement CMG between 1911 and shortly before his execution for treason, when he was stripped of his British honours—was an Irish patriot, poet, revolutionary, and nationalist....
and cohorts to land arms at Banna Strand
Banna Strand
Banna Strand, also known as Banna Beach, is situated in Tralee Bay. It is an Atlantic Ocean beach extending from Ballyheigue Beach at the Blackrock in the North to Barrow Beach at its southern edge, located in County Kerry. It is located approx 12 km north west of Tralee. It features sand...
to aid the Easter Rising
Easter Rising
The Easter Rising was an insurrection staged in Ireland during Easter Week, 1916. The Rising was mounted by Irish republicans with the aims of ending British rule in Ireland and establishing the Irish Republic at a time when the British Empire was heavily engaged in the First World War...
. Casement was landed from a German submarine, just north of the harbour in the early hours of April 21, 1916, but the ship, Aud Norge, never landed at Fenit and was scuttled in Cork harbour by its German captain lest the British forces take possession of the arms cache.
History repeated itself when in 1984, the Marita Ann a Fenit-registered boat, attempted a similar operation on behalf of the Provisional Irish Republican Army
Provisional Irish Republican Army
The Provisional Irish Republican Army is an Irish republican paramilitary organisation whose aim was to remove Northern Ireland from the United Kingdom and bring about a socialist republic within a united Ireland by force of arms and political persuasion...
. They were discovered by the authorities and arrested off the coast. This operation had the present TD for Kerry North, Martin Ferris
Martin Ferris
Martin Ferris is an Irish Sinn Féin politician and a former Provisional Irish Republican Army volunteer. He has been a Teachta Dála for the Kerry North–West Limerick constituency since 2002 and is one of fourteen Sinn Féin representatives in the current Dáil.-Early life:Ferris was born in...
prosecuted for gun-running, convicted for the possession of explosive substances for unlawful purpose and for possession of firearms and ammunition with intent to endanger life. Ferris served 10 years in prison.
On 8 August 1922, during the Irish Civil War
Irish Civil War
The Irish Civil War was a conflict that accompanied the establishment of the Irish Free State as an entity independent from the United Kingdom within the British Empire....
, Fenit was the scene of a major seaborne landing, from the ship Lady Wicklow, by 450 Free State
Irish Free State
The Irish Free State was the state established as a Dominion on 6 December 1922 under the Anglo-Irish Treaty, signed by the British government and Irish representatives exactly twelve months beforehand...
troops, as part of an civil war offensive
Irish Free State offensive
The Irish Free State offensive of July–September 1922 was the decisive military stroke of the Irish Civil War. It was carried out by the National Army of the newly created Irish Free State against anti-treaty strongholds in the south and southwest of Ireland....
to re-take Kerry and the Republican
Irish Republican Army (1922–1969)
The original Irish Republican Army fought a guerrilla war against British rule in Ireland in the Irish War of Independence 1919–1921. Following the signing of the Anglo-Irish Treaty on 6 December 1921, the IRA in the 26 counties that were to become the Irish Free State split between supporters and...
-held province of Munster
Munster
Munster is one of the Provinces of Ireland situated in the south of Ireland. In Ancient Ireland, it was one of the fifths ruled by a "king of over-kings" . Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the ancient kingdoms were shired into a number of counties for administrative and judicial purposes...
The republican forces had intended to blow up the pier if an attack was launched but the charges were rendered inoperable by unknown persons in an attempt to minimise damage to the port.
Harbour
Foynes
Foynes is a village and major port in County Limerick in the midwest of Ireland, located at the edge of hilly land on the southern bank of the Shannon Estuary. The population of the town was 606 as of the 2006 census.-Foynes's role in aviation:...
on the River Shannon
River Shannon
The River Shannon is the longest river in Ireland at . It divides the west of Ireland from the east and south . County Clare, being west of the Shannon but part of the province of Munster, is the major exception...
and Cork
Cork Harbour
Cork Harbour is a natural harbour and river estuary at the mouth of the River Lee in County Cork, Ireland. It is one of several which lay claim to the title of "second largest natural harbour in the world by navigational area" . Other contenders include Halifax Harbour in Canada, and Poole Harbour...
. It is located between Kerry Head
Kerry Head
Kerry Head is a headland located in County Kerry, Ireland that stretches into the Atlantic Ocean just north of Banna Strand. On the southern edge of the headland sits Ballyheigue....
to the north and Brandon Head to the south. The deep water port is a major asset to County Kerry and caters for vessels up to 17,000 Dwt.
The Tralee Harbour Board was established in 1840. Commercial shipping started to use Blennerville
Blennerville
Blennerville is a small village and suburb of Tralee, County Kerry, Ireland. It is approximately west of the town centre on the N86 road to Dingle, where the River Lee enters Tralee Bay. The village was formerly Tralee's port, and is connected to the town centre by a ship canal...
, at the head of Tralee Bay, as the access point for the town of Tralee. Prior to this cargo for Tralee was transported through Barrow Harbour
Barrow Harbour
Barrow Harbour is a tidal inlet off Tralee Bay, County Kerry, Ireland. Once, it was the major port for the region, servicing the monastic settlement of Ardfert and the general area of Tralee...
, a natural sea inlet, just north of Fenit. Barrow Harbour was, historically, the port used to service Ardfert
Ardfert
Ardfert is a village in County Kerry, Ireland. Historically a religious centre, the economy of the locality is driven by agriculture and its position as a dormitory town, being only 8 km from Tralee.-Origin:...
, now a village but, in the monastic era, it was a major ecclesiastical centre with students and monks from many parts of Europe. In 1880, Fenit harbour was built and the Harbour Board took on the name "Tralee and Fenit Pier and Harbour Board".
It has traditionally served as the merchants' port for Tralee. Coal, grain timber, etc., were landed during the 20th century with oil and cranes becoming the main cargo until the fuel distribution base was dismantled in the late 1990s. The main deep sea pier is 175m long with extensive storage facilities available. Regularly accommodating 15,000 tonne ships, the port is a very picturesque mixed use port with a marina, fishing and commercial ships. There are about 15 shipments per year. This is almost totally due to the export of container cranes manufactured by Liebherr's
Liebherr Group
The Liebherr Group is a German manufacturing complex established in 1949 by Hans Liebherr. The Liebherr Group's holding company is Liebherr-International AG in Bulle, Switzerland, which is entirely owned by members of the Liebherr family...
Irish subsidiary, based in Killarney, which are shipped all over the world.
The port was a major port for landing fish in the 1970s. The local fishing industry has all but ceased due to EU quota limits and competition from larger fleets from Spain and France. Until 2006, French companies still used the port to land fish that were then transported directly to the European mainland. The oil industry has, in the past, used Fenit as a base for their supply boats on several occasions when exploring off the west and southwest coast of Ireland.
Marina
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
funding, is a 130-berth marina located at Fenit harbour and is connected to the land by an 800m causeway
Causeway
In modern usage, a causeway is a road or railway elevated, usually across a broad body of water or wetland.- Etymology :When first used, the word appeared in a form such as “causey way” making clear its derivation from the earlier form “causey”. This word seems to have come from the same source by...
and viaduct
Viaduct
A viaduct is a bridge composed of several small spans. The term viaduct is derived from the Latin via for road and ducere to lead something. However, the Ancient Romans did not use that term per se; it is a modern derivation from an analogy with aqueduct. Like the Roman aqueducts, many early...
. The marina caters to leisure craft for boats from 6m to 15m in length with an approach depth of 5m which provides access at all tidal levels. The minimum depth of water is 3m.
Dingle Marina
Dingle Marina
Dingle Marina is located in Dingle harbour, a town on the South side of the Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry, Ireland. It is a well equipped marina, located close to the centre of the town.Caherciveen Marina is the next marina to the South...
is the next marina to the south, Kilrush
Kilrush
Kilrush is a coastal town in County Clare, Ireland. It is located near the mouth of the River Shannon in the south-west of the county. Kilrush is a town of great historical significance, being one of the listed Heritage Towns of Ireland.-History:...
is the next marina to the north. Some other famous ships and boats associated with Fenit are; Nuestra Señora del Socorro and Nonoalca
Nonoalca
Nonoalca the name of a Central American tribe.The tribe's name was also given to a small sailing boat that was sailed across the Atlantic to Fenit harbour in Tralee Bay....
.
Lighthouse
Lighthouse
A lighthouse is a tower, building, or other type of structure designed to emit light from a system of lamps and lenses or, in older times, from a fire, and used as an aid to navigation for maritime pilots at sea or on inland waterways....
was built on the little Samphire
Samphire
Samphire is a name given to a number of very different edible plants that happen to grow in coastal areas.*Rock samphire, Crithmum maritimum is a coastal species with white flowers that grows in the United Kingdom...
island, located a few hundred meters west of Fenit pier. A large bronze sculpture of Saint Brendan was erected in 2004 on Great Samphire Island, the rock around which the harbour was built. This island has been utilised as part of the port development and its name of 'Great Samphire Island' appears to refer to the height when compared to its much flatter twin Little Samphire Island. 'Samphire' is a small flowering plant used in cookery and lends its name to the twin islands in the bay.
Transport
A railway once serviced Fenit and freight trains travelled over the viaduct to transfer freight between ship and train. In 1887 the railway line was built, but by the 1970s the service ceased. Fenit railway station opened on 5 July 1887, closed for passenger traffic on 31 December 1934 though it was still used for ad hoc day-tripper excursions from Tralee and closed for goods traffic until 2 June 1978. Since closure the track has fallen into disrepair. The station and sidings were located where the new playground and car park are located. CIECóras Iompair Éireann
Córas Iompair Éireann , or CIÉ, is a statutory corporation of the Irish state, answerable to the Irish Government and responsible for most public transport in the Republic of Ireland and, jointly with its Northern Ireland counterpart, the Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company, between the...
used to operate three buses per day in and out of Fenit in the 1980s. Bus services are virtually non-existent and primarily service the school-going populace during term time.
The R551 and R558 roads lead to Tralee. Kerry Regional Airport
Kerry Airport
-Ground transportation:Kerry Airport is approximately from both Cork and Limerick. Iarnród Éireann's Farranfore railway station is located to the south with services to Killarney, Tralee, Cork and Dublin....
is approximately thirty minutes away. Both Shannon
Shannon Airport
Shannon Airport, is one of the Republic of Ireland's three primary airports along with Dublin and Cork. In 2010 around 1,750,000 passengers passed through the airport, making it the third busiest airport in the Republic of Ireland after Dublin and Cork, and the fifth busiest airport on the island...
and Cork airports take about a two hours car journey.
The old disused railway between Fenit and Tralee is now underway into being converted into a walkway and cycleway for the local populace. This is going along the lines of the Great Southern Trail
Great Southern Trail
The Great Southern Trail is a greenway rail trail under development in Counties Limerick and Kerry, Ireland. It is intended to be long when completed and run from Limerick to Tralee. It is an off-road trail intended for use by cyclists and walkers...
situated in West Limerick (see Southern Trail. Net)
List of craft associated with Tralee Bay
- Saint Brendans Sailing Boat(s): North America reached by Irish sailors prior to Vikings and Christopher Columbus
- Nuestra Señora del Socorro: Ship from Spanish Armada arrested in Tralee Bay
- Jeanie Johnston - original: Tralee-owned emigrant ship, mid-19th century
- The AudAud (ship)Aud was the cover name of a German ship, Libau, that carried arms to Ireland as part of the preparation for the Easter Rising in Ireland in 1916.-Introduction:...
Norge (Libau): German ship carrying guns for 1916 revolution: British warship used to arrest "Aud Norge" - SM U-19: German U Boat that brought Roger Casement to Ireland
- Lady Wicklow: Merchant ship used by Irish Free State Army to land troops on Fenit Pier
- NonoalcaNonoalcaNonoalca the name of a Central American tribe.The tribe's name was also given to a small sailing boat that was sailed across the Atlantic to Fenit harbour in Tralee Bay....
: Small yacht sailed singlehanded from America. The lone sailor's name was Bill Verity. - MV Valhalla: Merchant ship used in attempt to bring arms from USA to Fenit
- Marita Ann: Fenit trawler used in attempt to land arms from USA
- LE Deirdre: One of three Irish Navy ships used to prevent landing of arms at Fenit
- LE Emer: One of three Irish Navy ships used to prevent landing of arms at Fenit
- LE Aisling: One of three Irish Navy ships used to prevent landing of arms at Fenit
- Jeanie JohnstonJeanie JohnstonThe Jeanie Johnston is a replica of a three masted barque that was originally built in Quebec, Canada in 1847 by the Scottish-born shipbuilder John Munn.- Original Ship :...
- reconstruction: Reconstruction sailing ship built in Blennerville, Tralee and Fenit
Other features
Fenit Castle, a tower house, was built in the 16th centuries to protect the entrance to Barrow Harbour. This was built by the FitzMaurice clan and still commands a dominant position over the surrounding landscape. Other notable buildings include the customs house, now derelict, the redbrick RIC barracks buildings, now private houses, the stone built lifeboat house that is now disused. The large estate of Fenit House and its grounds dominate the village on the shore-side of the main road into the village. Formerly the Fuller's and Hurley estate, it was built in 1910.Tralee Golf Club had their original course situated on Fenit island at the end of the 19th Century and it now exists across the straits of Barrow Harbour
Barrow Harbour
Barrow Harbour is a tidal inlet off Tralee Bay, County Kerry, Ireland. Once, it was the major port for the region, servicing the monastic settlement of Ardfert and the general area of Tralee...
, having also been located at two locations in Tralee; Mounthawk and Lis Beg, Oakpark in the interim.
Recreational angling
Angling
Angling is a method of fishing by means of an "angle" . The hook is usually attached to a fishing line and the line is often attached to a fishing rod. Fishing rods are usually fitted with a fishing reel that functions as a mechanism for storing, retrieving and paying out the line. The hook itself...
is a popular activity in Fenit where many visitors fish from the viaduct
Viaduct
A viaduct is a bridge composed of several small spans. The term viaduct is derived from the Latin via for road and ducere to lead something. However, the Ancient Romans did not use that term per se; it is a modern derivation from an analogy with aqueduct. Like the Roman aqueducts, many early...
. Tralee Bay Sea Angling Club, the largest angling club in Ireland, have their clubhouse on the marina breakwater in the harbour. Tralee Bay Sailing Club have a slipway and clubhouse building on a prominent point overlooking the harbour and bay. Tralee is a major tourism destination and has seen some €55 million of tourism investment over the past several years. The local soccer team now bears the name 'Fenit Samphires' which were established in 1994. The local gaelic football team, Churchill, includes members from Fenit village, the townland of Churchill, and the adjacent village of The Spa.
A few pubs and restaurants are located in the village.
The old disused railway between Fenit and Tralee is now underway into being converted into a walkway and cycleway for the local populace. This is going along the lines of the Great Southern Trail situated in West Limerick.
See also
- List of marinas
- List of RNLI stations
- List of towns and villages in Ireland.