Upcoming Events
During the Autumn, Winter and Spring, the Kerry Archaeological and Historical Society hosts a series of lectures, which are held at various locations throughout the County and/or via Zoom. The subject matter of our lectures is wide and varied, delivered by speakers from both academic and non-academic backgrounds. We also offer a number of outings during Spring and Summer.
For a downloadable copy of our 2026 Programme of Events please click here: Programme 2026
The Big House in Kerry
Tuesday, 13 Jan
Jane O’Keeffe, Author
Via Zoom, 7:00 p.m.
Annual General Meeting
Tuesday, 20 January
Tralee Library and via Zoom, 7:00 p.m.
Understanding climate change impacts on the cultural heritage resource in county Kerry: Through the lens of Ferriter’s promontory fort and SS Manchester Merchant
Thursday, 5 February
Dr Sandra Henry, Archaeologist, National Monuments Service
Tralee Library, 7:00 p.m.
Traces of Empire – Colonialism in the Kerry Landscape
Thursday, 26 February
Victoria McCarthy, Conservation Officer, Kerry County Council
Tralee Library, 7:00 p.m.
Outing: Behind the Scenes at Muckross House
Saturday, 7 March
Dr Patricia O’Hare, Education Officer, Muckross House
Muckross House, 11.30 a.m. Registration necessary.
Education in Ireland and Donogh O’Malley
Tuesday, 10 March
Dr Pádraig Ó Donnabháin
Tralee Library, 7:00 p.m.
Outing: Dublin, Croke Park Stadium and Museum
tour (€12 entry fee)
Thursday, 12 March
Talks, 7:00 pm in Seamus Heaney lecture theatre, DCU St Pat’s campus, Drumcondra: Kerry All Ireland Hurling Champions 1891 by Brendan O Sullivan and Kerry All Ireland Football Runners Up 1892 by Fr. Tom Looney
Meet Croke Park Museum, 2:30 p.m.
From County Kerry to revolutionary Paris: a Tale of Two United Irishmen Nicholas Madgett (1738-1813) & John Sullivan (1767-1802)
Thursday, 19 March
Dr John Gleeson
Tralee Library, 7:00 p.m.
The foundation and early years of Fianna Fáil in Kerry, 1926-1933
Thursday, 26 March
Dr Owen O’Shea, Historian
Killarney Library, 7:00 p.m.
Franciscans in Ireland, St Francis of Assisi – a saint in the
Celtic mould?
Thursday, 16 April
An t-Athair Caoimhín Ó Laoide
Via Zoom, 7:00 p.m.
Outing: Curator’s Choice, Kerry County Museum
Thursday, 7 May
Helen O’Carroll, Curator
Kerry County Museum, Tralee, 11:30 a.m.
Deep Mapping Kerry
Thursday, 14 May
Prof John Roney, Historian and Dr Billy Mag Fhloinn, Archaeologist
Dingle Campus, Sacred Heart University, 7:00 p.m.
Outing: Annascaul walking tour
Sunday, 17 May
Laurence Jones, Local historian
Meet at old bridge, Annascaul, 2:00 p.m.
Outing: Fenit, including boat trip (€30pp, reduced charge), visit to RNLI station and to St Brendan Heritage Park
Saturday, 6 June
Mary O’Brien Browne, Tralee Bay Experience & Honorary PO,
RNLI Fenit
Meet RNLI Building, Fenit, 10:00 a.m.
Please bring a picnic lunch. Registration necessary.
Outing: Lixnaw, Famine to Freedom (A Heritage Week event)
Saturday, 15 August
Joe McAuliffe
Meet Ceolann, Lixnaw, 2:00 p.m.
Outing: Lyreacrompane (A Heritage Week event)
Saturday, 22 August
Joe Harrington
Meet The Square, Listowel, 2:00 p.m. Registration necessary.
Wanderers between two Worlds: The Vikings in Kerry
Tuesday, 1 September
Claudia Köhler, Kerry County Museum and Patrick Herbage, Dublinia
Tralee Library, 7:00 p.m.
Outing: The Glen area
Sunday, 6 September
Pat O’Leary
Meet at the Daycare Centre/Ionad Pobail an Ghleanna, 2:30
p.m., to carpool. Registration necessary.
Award Ceremony: Kerry Young Historian 2026
Wednesday, 23 September
Kerry County Museum, Tralee, 7:00 p.m.
Architecture Kerry 2026
Friday 25 – Sunday 27 September
Outing: Tour of Ross Castle
Sunday 4 October
Dan Rael
Meet at Ross Castle, 2:00 p.m. €3 pp. Spiral staircase not suitable for those with mobility issues. Registration necessary.
The Role of the National Monuments Service and the Archaeology
of Kerry
Tuesday, 6 October
Dr. Linda Lynch, Archaeologist, National Monuments Service
Tralee Library, 7:00 p.m.
Séamus Murphy, Sculptor (1907-1975): Commemorating our patriots and our writers in stone and bronze
Tuesday, 27 October
Jim O’Malley
Killarney Library, 7:00 p.m.
Emerging from the woodland-excavation and conservation of an early medieval caiseal in Derrynane National Historic Park
Thursday, 5 November
Laurence Dunne, Archaeologist
Tralee Library, 7:00 p.m.
Journal Launch
Thursday, 19 November
Tralee Library, 7:00 p.m.
Annual Social and Heritage Award Presentation
Sunday, 29 November
Rose Hotel, Tralee, 1:00 p.m.
January 1850 – The Killarney and Limerick Auxiliary
Workhouse Disasters
Thursday, 10 December
John Flannery
Killarney Library, 7:00 p.m
NOTICE: On occasion lectures or outings may be unexpectedly cancelled or rescheduled. Please check our website, Facebook page, or sign up at www.kerryhistory.ie to receive updates.
The Society shall be indemnified in respect of all claims howsoever arising from the attendance of any non-member at any event of the Society’s, wherein that non-member’s attendance has breached the Constitution of the Society.
Please note that only trained service animals are allowed on field outings.
