Ballyduff - An Baile Dubh

Rattoo Round Tower & Abbey

Of the sixty five round towers remaining in Ireland, Rattoo is listed as one of the thirteen perfectly preserved of these towers, and is the last remaining of the Kerry round towers. The tower is over one thousand years old and has two unique features, a carving over the doorway and a Shiela Na Gig on the inside jamb of the north facing window.

In 1205, the Normans granted lands in North Kerry to the Augustinian monks of Clonnell Abbey of Connellmore, Newbridge, County Kildare, including Rattoo Abbey, which now became the monastery of Saints Peter & Paul. From the 13th Century until the reformation, the Abbots of Rattoo were also the Rectors of Listowel parish and a number of other parishes in North Kerry. The Abbots of Rattoo were also Lords of Parliament.