Fenit Island
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Fenit Island is a populated island, on the coast of
County Kerry County Kerry ( gle, Contae Chiarraí) is a county in Ireland. It is located in the South-West Region and forms part of the province of Munster. It is named after the Ciarraige who lived in part of the present county. The population of the co ...
, connected to the mainland by a sandbar. Located in
Tralee Bay Tralee Bay ( gle, Loch Foirdhreamhain / Cuan Thrá Lí) is located in on the west coast of County Kerry, Ireland. It is situated between Kerry Head on the north side and the Maharees on the west and extends eastwards as far as the bridge at B ...
, the island encloses Barrow Harbour. Historically, the area was called 'Fenit Within'. It is adjacent to the areas of 'Tawlacht' and 'Fenit Without' on the mainland. The terms within/without refer to the walled protection that surrounded parts of the island from attackers from the landward side. The island is accessible by foot along the sandbar at most times, and by car at low tide, by driving on the beach. Many old ruins exist on the island, including a castle, two churches and a graveyard. The castle is the only one of these ruins that remain visible today. It was built by the FitzMaurices in the 17th century. Enclosing Barrow Harbour from Tralee Bay, to protect Barrow Harbour from seaborne attackers, an iron or steel chain (also known as
boom Boom may refer to: Objects * Boom (containment), a temporary floating barrier used to contain an oil spill * Boom (navigational barrier), an obstacle used to control or block marine navigation * Boom (sailing), a sailboat part * Boom (windsurfi ...
) was stretched across the neck of water, between the mainland and the island near the castle.
Saint Brendan the Navigator Brendan of Clonfert (c. AD 484 - c.577), is one of the early Irish monastic saints and one of the Twelve Apostles of Ireland. He is also referred to as Brendan the Navigator, Brendan the Voyager, Brendan the Anchorite, Brendan the Bold. The ...
was born on Fenit Island.


References

Islands of County Kerry Tombolos {{Kerry-geo-stub