Plizio Visual Lab

Listowel

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

town

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Practical info — Listowel

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🌤 Weather — 5 days

📍 Nearby

Sights nearby

💡 Tips

Take a ride on the Lartigue Monorail, a uniquely reconstructed half-scale train that is the only one of its kind.
Visit the Kerry Writers' Museum to dive into Ireland's rich literary heritage.
The town square is a great place to people-watch, especially during the famous Writers' Week festival in early summer.
Parking is usually ample around the town square, but be mindful of pay-and-display zones.

🍽 Food

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Kerry Lamb

Taste slow-cooked lamb dishes or shepherd's pie at the local pubs near the town square.

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Irish Breakfast

Grab a full fry-up to start your day at one of the friendly, bustling local cafes.

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Pints & Toasties

Enjoy a classic ham and cheese toastie alongside a pint in one of Listowel's authentic, colorful public houses.

🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots

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Independent Bookshops

Fitting for Ireland's literary capital, browse the well-stocked local bookshops for poetry and regional history.

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Artisan Bakeries

Pick up freshly baked soda bread or traditional tarts on the main shopping streets.

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Childers Park

Take a tranquil walk through this park, which includes the beautifully maintained Garden of Europe.

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River Feale Riverwalk

Enjoy a peaceful stroll along the banks of the river just steps from the town center.

Highlights of 2026

2026-08-15Rock

Revival Music Festival Listowel 2026

Experience live rock music at the Revival Music Festival in Listowel's town square.

Listowel is a spirited market town in County Kerry, positioned along the banks of the River Feale and widely celebrated as the literary capital of Ireland. The town's medieval heritage is anchored by Listowel Castle, a 15th-century stronghold of the Earls of Desmond, which witnessed a pivotal siege in 1600 during the Elizabethan conquest. A unique chapter in transport history was written here with the Lartigue Monorail, one of the world's first commercial monorail systems, which connected Listowel to Ballybunion between 1888 and 1924. Listowel's global reputation rests heavily on its literary output, having produced esteemed writers like John B. Keane and Bryan MacMahon; this legacy is celebrated annually during Listowel Writers' Week, Ireland's oldest literary festival. The town's streetscape is notable for its exceptionally preserved traditional shopfronts, many featuring intricate plasterwork and lively colors. As a regional hub, Listowel balances its roles as a center for agriculture, horse racing at the famous Island racecourse, and a beacon for the arts and heritage in Southwest Ireland.

Location: Ireland
Top sights: Lartigue Monorail · Listowel Castle · Lisheennagaurlagh
Nearby: Asdee (14 km)
Population: ~4.820

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	6	6	7	9	11	14	15	15	14	11	9	7
Rain mm	120	94	86	72	81	84	97	101	93	108	135	129

Geography

Population

4,820

Coordinates

52.44000, -9.48000

Facts

Listowel Castle was the last stronghold of the Geraldine rebellion to fall in 1600.
The Lartigue Monorail, established in 1888, was a unique steam-powered system.
Listowel Writers' Week is Ireland's oldest literary festival, running since 1970.
The town features a famous statue of playwright John B. Keane in the central square.
The Listowel Harvest Racing Festival has been a major event since 1858.
The town is situated on the River Feale, which flows into the Shannon Estuary.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Knocknaskagh10 km · EExplore →

Asdee14 km · NWExplore →

Ballybunion15 km · NWExplore →

Glin20 km · NEExplore →

Kilrush22 km · NExplore →

Ardfert24 km · SWExplore →

Carrigaholt24 km · NWExplore →

Tralee Enterprise Park24 km · SWExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Start Destination Via (optional)

Overnight stops

Vehicle

Only stops with (optional): 💧 Water ♻️ Disposal 🔌 Power 🚻 Toilets 🚿 Shower

Sights in the town Listowel (3)

Lartigue Monorail 🏛 museum

A unique museum in Listowel dedicated to the history of the monorail.

🌐 lartiguemonorail.com

Listowel Castle 🏰 castle

Listowel Castle is a heritage-listed 15th-century castle (Grade 2).

🌐 heritageireland.ie🆓

Lisheennagaurlagh🏺 historical

An ancient archaeological site with historical traces in Listowel.

Frequently asked questions

Why is Listowel called the literary capital?

Due to its famous writers, like John B. Keane, and the annual Writers' Week festival.

What is unique about the Lartigue Monorail?

It is a restored 19th-century Lartigue monorail system, one of the few in the world.

Can you visit Listowel Castle?

Yes, the 15th-century castle is open for guided tours during the summer months.

When is the Listowel Races festival held?

The famous horse racing festival takes place annually over seven days in September.

Is there a museum dedicated to writers?

Yes, the Kerry Writers' Museum celebrate the county's rich literary history.

Listowel: where is it located?

Listowel is located in Ireland.

Listowel: what is there to see?

Highlights include Lartigue Monorail, Listowel Castle, Lisheennagaurlagh.

Listowel: when is the best time to visit?

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.

Listowel: why is it worth visiting?

Listowel is a spirited market town in County Kerry, positioned along the banks of the River Feale and widely celebrated as the literary capital of Ireland.

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