Tralee gears up for 800th birthday celebrations

The Anglo-Norman or Geraldine roots of Tralee founded 800 years ago will be celebrated in a year-long series of events, beginning on St Patrick’s Day.

The town was founded by John FitzThomas Fitzgerald in 1216 and yesterday Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council and Chairman of the Tralee 800 Group, Cllr Pat McCarthy, launched details the town’s plans to mark the historic milestone.

His first duty was to unveil the Tralee 800 logo which was designed by Abbey Cummings, tourism unit of Kerry County Council, and incorporates a representation of the River Lee which is one of the defining symbols of the town and from which it derives its name.