School Tours

Are you looking for something different for your school tour this year? Then why not visit Kerry Writers’ Museum, Listowel for a fun-filled and educational trip guaranteed to be an unforgettable day for all ages!

School Tours can choose from a wide variety of activities including guided tours by costumed characters, storytelling sessions, creative writing workshops and historical re-enactments.

What will you Experience?

You will listen to “The Master”, Bryan MacMahon tell us why he believed storytelling is important to every child’s imagination. Discover how at the word “Abracadabra!” a baby elephant entered a school classroom!

Learn how to write a story like John B. Keane. Go on a special ‘Treasure Hunt’ to discover clues about the Kerry Writers hidden around the Georgian Museum house. For example, find one of the writers link to a Hollywood film!

Step back in time and explore the history of this ancient landscape in our new interactive exhibition ‘Listowel through the Ages’. From Medieval Ireland and the Famine, to the turbulent years of War and Independence students will encounter enchanted underwater cities, rebellious Knights, and the world’s strangest train!

In addition we provide Information Packs and Worksheets to each pupil. Kerry Writers’ Museum is an ideal environment to stimulate your student’s imaginations.

Tour Duration: 2 hours approx.

Additional Activities

MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR SCHOOL TOUR DAY IN LISTOWEL BY

VISITING ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING ATTRACTIONS

Lartigue Monorail & Museum

All aboard for a demonstration trip on the “World’s Strangest Train” and experience a truly unique form of rail travel!

The Lartigue Monorail was a unique railway line which ran between Listowel and Ballybunion in the late 19th century. This re-creation of a much-loved and laughed-at historical railway will delight children of all ages. In addition to a trip on the train, your group can also experience the Museum’s models and displays as well as watch historic film footage of the original railway.

Tour Duration: 1.5 hours approx.

Listowel Castle

Take a guided tour through Listowel Castle and journey back to medieval times of marauding attackers, defending forces and practical living! As you meander through the east and west towers of the Castle, you will discover the ingenious defensive features including internal spiral staircase, loop windows and musket loop. The many garderobes throughout the Castle served as the ‘ensuite’ toilets of the day.

Please note the Castle site is very restricted and can only accommodate groups of 12 at a time.

Operated by the Office of Public Works.

Tour Duration: 30 minutes approx.

 

Rates

Rates are based on the number of pupils confirmed at the time of booking and are valid from 1st March to 30th June inclusive.

We do not charge teachers and support staff accompanying pupils on any of the school tour activities.

Kerry Writers’ Museum – €4 per pupil

Kerry Writers’ Museum & Lartigue Monorailway – €8.00 per pupil

Listowel Castle – Free Admission

Frequently Asked Questions

Location
Listowel is situated on the N69 scenic Shannon Estuary route and is approximately

  • 18km / 11 miles / 20 minute drive from the Killimer, Co Clare to Tarbert, Co Kerry Car Ferry
  • 28km / 17 miles / 25 minute drive from Tralee
  • 60km / 37 miles / 1 hour drive from Killarney
  • 76km / 47 miles / 11/4 hour drive from Limerick City
Availability & Booking
To ensure that each party enjoys their visit to Listowel, we limit the number of School Tour Programmes provided each day so we would strongly advise you to book well in advance.

To guarantee a particular date, as well as the availability of the range of activities you require, a non-refundable deposit of 25% will be taken on confirmation of booking.

For bookings and general enquiries, contact:

Kerry Writers’ Museum
24 The Square, Listowel,
Co. Kerry.

Tel. (068) 22212
Fax (068) 22170

E-mail: info@kerrywritersmuseum.com
Website: www.kerrywritersmuseum.com

Payments
We accept cash and all major credit/debit cards. Payment by cheque (made payable to ‘Kerry Literary & Cultural Centre’) is also acceptable.
Parking
Free coach parking is available at all venues.
What Time Do We Have To Be There?
To ensure you get the most from your visit to Listowel, School Tour Programmes usually commence at 10am. This may vary depending on the number of activities you require but will be confirmed at time of booking. However, we will endeavour to accommodate any other requests.
What Do We Need to Wear/Bring?
Comfortable clothes and walking footwear, rain jackets and sun cream!
What If It Rains?
Our School Tour Programme includes a variety of both indoor and outdoor activities so your visit will be successful regardless of the elements.
Are Refreshments available for Teachers?
Tea or coffee with homemade scones will be provided for Teachers and Support Staff upon arrival.
Are You Insured?
All activities are fully insured.
Do You Have a Shop?
We operate a small book and gift shop at Kerry Writers’ Museum but this part of the School Tours Programme is entirely at your discretion. Just let us know at the time of booking whether you want the children to visit the shop or not and we will ensure that your request is accommodated.

A suggested amount of pocket money needed would be no more than €5.00.

Alternatively, Souvenir Goodie Bags for all pupils can be collected at The Kerry Writers’ Museum as part of your visit. Costing just €4.00, each Souvenir Goodie Bag includes a hardback notepad, pencil, pen and rubber wristband (gifts subject to change)

Taster Visit

We know that Listowel is a fantastic place to bring a group of children. So much so that, if you have not visited us before, we would like to invite you to come along and take a look for yourself, free of charge. All we ask is that book your “Taster Visit” in advance and present some form of school identification on arrival.