Ratass Church

Ratass Church is a sandstone church ruin in Tralee featuring remaining walls and a west gable end. The small structure sits within an old cemetery where a purple sandstone ogham stone with ancient Irish inscriptions can be found.

The church was established as the episcopal seat of Kerry diocese and served this role briefly before the function moved elsewhere. This shift marked an important moment in the region's early medieval church structure.

The site marks a place where people have gathered for burial and remembrance for many centuries, and the purple sandstone ogham stone shows how ancient Irish language and script were preserved over time.

The ruins sit within a cemetery that typically allows free access for visitors to explore at their own pace. Wearing comfortable shoes is advisable since the ground can be uneven and sometimes damp.

A purple sandstone block bearing ancient script was discovered by accident in 1975 during cemetery construction work. This ogham stone carries a person's name from ancient times and had been hidden underground for centuries.

Location: County Kerry

Architectural style: Romanesque architecture

GPS coordinates: 52.26701,-9.68181

Latest update: December 8, 2025 21:00