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A launch for "The History of Tralee, Its Charter and Governance" by Kerry historian Gerald O’Carroll, was held at Brandon Hotel, Tralee on 20th October 2009.
The book is inspired by, and framed around, the Charter granted to the town of Tralee, Co.Kerry by King James I in 1613. There is an interesting narrative of a century or more of rivalry and struggle for control of the Corporation of Tralee between two neighbouring and related Kerry families, Denny of Tralee and Blennerhassett of Ballyseedy. Included are illustrations of portraits from the governing families and a unique watercolour depicting Tralee Castle, also the complete list of Tralee Members of Parliament from 1613 to 1885. |
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The occasion was marked by the visit to Tralee of Sir Anthony Denny, descendant of the Denny family who played such a significant role in the life of the town for almost 300 years, and members of his family.
This photograph records a civic reception for the Dennys, held at Tralee Town Hall. The Deputy Mayor of Tralee, Councillor Mairead Fernane, is showing the 1613 Charter of Tralee to Lady Catherine Denny (left) and Sir Anthony Denny (6th from left). A contemporary vellum copy archived at Kerry County Library in Tralee, it was brought to the council office for the occasion. Also present are their son Tom Denny (2nd from left), Tom’s wife Benita (7th from left) and author Gerald O'Carroll (3rd from left). Cllr. Fernane presented the Dennys with gifts, including a sculpted "Tralee Rose".
A colour print of Tralee Castle, taken from a watercolour of 1804 owned by Sir Anthony, was presented to Cllr. Fernane, who accepted on behalf of the Town Council, this to be hung in the office of the Mayor.
Tralee Castle, formerly the chief castle of the Earl of Desmond, came to the Dennys in 1587 when Sir Edward Denny, Knt was granted the lands of Tralee, in the Plantation of Munster, created on forfeit Desmond estates in the aftermath of the destruction of the earldom and the killing near Tralee of the rebel 15th Earl, Gerald FitzGerald, in 1583. Twice rebuilt, the castle was demolished in 1825 (the stones reused for the building of Denny Street). The site is the junction of Lower Castle Street and Denny Street.
It was Sir Edward Denny of Tralee who in 1590 granted a portion of his own grant of lands in Kerry to Thomas Blennerhassett of Cumberland, whose son Robert settled at Ballycarty & Ballyseedy to become ancestor of the Kerry & Limerick Blennerhassett families.
"The History of Tralee, Its Charter and Governance" (ISBN 978-0-9547902-2-6) pub. privately 2009.
Feedback:
I have been reading the History of Tralee - excellent read - especially the political allegiances. The sketch of Tralee Castle is fascinating. (John Knightly, editor of the Godfrey Papers)
The book is a constant source of interest and delight - I am hugely impressed that you have found so much new including the picture - and chimneypiece - from the Castle. (Donald Cameron, Beaufort House)
Gerald, I received a copy of your excellent book on the History of Tralee. I enjoyed it thoroughly and read it through virtually with out stop - a fine read, amplified by excellent visual material and the numerous references which aver to your scholarship, time and objectivity. It is one of the best short histories I have read. It covers such a wide time span and yet you managed to encapsulate so much in this relatively compact history of Tralee. (Leslie Blennerhassett, Birmingham)
Other works by Gerald O'Carroll: "Mr Justice Robert Day (1746-1841):The Diaries and the Addresses to Grand Juries 1793-1829" (ISBN 978-0-9547902-0-2, Polymaths Press, Tralee 2004).
Judge Day was the builder of Day Place, Tralee, and principal trustee of the Denny estate.
"The Pocket History of Kerry" (ISBN 978-0-9547902-1-9, Polymaths Press, Tralee 2007).
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