Fenit Island is a populated island, on the coast of

County Kerry County Kerry () is a Counties of Ireland, county on the southwest coast of Republic of Ireland, Ireland, within the Provinces of Ireland, province of Munster and the Southern Region, Ireland, Southern Region. It is bordered by two other countie ...

, connected to the mainland by a sandbar. Located in

Tralee Bay Tralee Bay () is located in on the west coast of County Kerry, Republic of Ireland, 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 Blennerville. Several ...

, 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) was stretched across the neck of water, between the mainland and the island near the castle. Saint Brendan the Navigator was born on Fenit Island.

References

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