Listowel is a vibrant inland town situated in County Kerry on the river Feale. It has the ruins of a fifteenth century castle built by the Fitzmaurice's Lords of Kerry, of which little remains save from two ivy clad towers. The town was once the home of author Maurice Walsh (1879-1924) who's most famous work 'The Quiet Man' was turned into an Oscar winning film, and shot in Cong County Mayo.

A week long writers festival takes place in Listowel each year in June, and Listowel Races are held in the third week of September.

The town was once the terminus of the world's first mono rail system, 'The Lartigue System' named after the Spaniard who invented it. The line ran between Listowel and Ballybunion between the years of 1888 and 1924, the railway was unique in that it the engine, carriages and wagons were divided into two and were suspended on either side of a central rail.

The railway inspired the ballad 'The Song of Lartigue'

The old train's held together with rope,
And the tacking they say won't endure, sir,
Sure they balance the people with soap,
And sometimes with bags of manure.

Tourist Information Ashe Memorial Hall Denny Street Tralee Co Kerry Tel +353 (0)66 712 1288 E Mail Web Site

Today visitors to the town can experience this unique mode of transport, as a reconstruction of the railway has been built, and runs during the summer season. In the town's heritage center is a theatre dedicated to traditional music.