View source for Fenit

{{Short description|Harbour village in County Kerry, Ireland}}
{{EngvarB|date=October 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
|name                   = Fenit
|native_name            = {{native name|ga|An Fhianait}}
|native_name_lang       = ga
|settlement_type        = Village
|image_skyline          = File:Fenit Harbour & Island.JPG
|image_caption          = Fenit village, harbour and island.
|pushpin_map            = Ireland
|pushpin_label_position = right
|pushpin_map_caption    = Location in Ireland
|subdivision_type       = Country
|subdivision_name       = [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]]
|subdivision_type1      = [[Provinces of Ireland|Province]]
|subdivision_name1      = [[Munster]]
|subdivision_type3      = [[Counties of Ireland|County]]
|subdivision_name3      = [[County Kerry]]
|established_title      =
|established_date       =
|unit_pref              = Metric
|area_footnotes         =
|area_total_km2         =
|population_as_of       = [[2022 census of Ireland|2022]]
|population_footnotes   = <ref name="censusreports"/>
|population             = 619
|population_density_km2 = auto
|timezone1              = [[West European Time|WET]]
|utc_offset1            = +0
|timezone1_DST          = [[Irish Standard Time|IST]] ([[Western European Summer Time|WEST]])
|utc_offset1_DST        = -1
|coordinates            = {{coord|52.27682|-9.85796|dim:100000_region:IE|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
|elevation_footnotes    =
|elevation_m            = 0
|blank_name             = [[Irish grid reference system|Irish Grid Reference]]
|blank_info             = {{iem4ibx|Q725154}}
|website                =
|footnotes              =
}}
'''Fenit''' ({{Irish place name|An Fhianait}})<ref name=logainm>{{cite web | url = https://www.logainm.ie/en/22035 | title = An Fhianait/Fenit | website = [[Placenames Database of Ireland]] (logainm.ie) | access-date = 1 December 2021}}</ref> is a small village in [[County Kerry]], [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]], located on north side of [[Tralee Bay]] about {{convert|10|km|0|abbr=on}} west of [[Tralee|Tralee town]], just south of the [[Shannon Estuary]]. It is also a [[Civil parishes in Ireland|civil parish]]. The bay is enclosed from the Atlantic by the Maharee spit which extends northwards from the [[Dingle peninsula]]. Fenit harbour is a mixed function [[port|sea port]], where fishing, freight import and export, and a 136 berth [[marina]] are the main forms of business. As of the 2022 [[Central Statistics Office of Ireland|CSO]] census of Ireland, Fenit had a population of 619 people.<ref name="censusreports">{{cite web|url = https://visual.cso.ie/?body=entity/ima/cop/2022&boundary=C04160V04929&guid=6e9f2366-e2c8-4d98-80d4-fa32b7d7af10/ | website=cso.ie | title = Fenit (Ireland) Census Town| accessdate = 15 June 2024 }}</ref>
==History==
[[Saint Brendan]], the navigator, was probably born north west of the village on [[Fenit Island]] in close proximity to what is now Fenit harbour around 484,<ref>{{cite book|title=North American Exploration: A New World Disclosed. Volume: 1|author=Allen, John Logan|publisher=University of Nebraska Press|year=1997|page=18}}</ref> and is honoured by a large bronze monument in the harbour area. It has been suggested that Brendan arrived in the Americas prior to [[Christopher Columbus]] but this has not been proven. Though [[Tim Severin]] demonstrated it is possible that a leather-clad boat such as the one described in the ''Navigatio'' could have potentially reached North America.<ref>Severin, Tim. ''The Brendan Voyage: A Leather Boat Tracks the Discovery of America by the Irish Sailor Saints''. McGraw-Hill Book Company. 1978. {{ISBN|0-07-056335-7}}.</ref><ref>(1964, Robert Reily) ''Irish Saints'' page:37, Wing Books, New Jersey, {{ISBN|0-517-36833-1}}</ref>
In 1588, as the [[Spanish Armada in Ireland|Spanish Armada]] dispersed, the sloop ''Nuestra Señora del Socorro'' (''Our Lady of the Socorro'') (75 tons) anchored at Fenit, in Tralee Bay and surrendered.  The 24 men on board were taken into custody, marched to Tralee castle, and, after interrogation, executed.
[[File:Jeanie Johnston, Fenit Harbour.jpg|left|upright|thumb|''[[Jeanie Johnston]]'' replica at Fenit harbour]]
In the mid-19th century, the sailing ship ''[[Jeanie Johnston]]'' traded out of Tralee, transporting emigrants to the US and Canada and in 2000 a replica was built in Fenit harbour.{{citation needed|date=August 2017}}
A post office was opened in the village between 1883 and 1885<ref name="stange">{{cite book  | last = Frank  | first =  Harald |author2=Stange, Klaus  | title = Irish Post Offices and their postmarks 1600–1990  | publisher = Forchumgs- und Arbeitsgemeinschaft Irland e.V. | website = fai-germany.de | date =  29 September 1990 | location = Munich  | url = http://fai-germany.de/engl/literatur_schriften.html  | page = 174 }}</ref> and postal services are still provided.<ref>{{cite web|title=Details for the Post Office in Fenit, Co. Kerry |work=Find a Post Office |publisher=[[An Post]] |url=http://locator.anpost.ie/locator_offices.asp?grof=1709&county=Kerry&dublin=&office=Fenit |access-date=27 June 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071119080106/http://locator.anpost.ie/locator_offices.asp?grof=1709&county=Kerry&dublin=&office=Fenit |archive-date=19 November 2007 |df=dmy }}</ref> Fenit is recorded as having [[cancellation (mail)|cancelled]] [[paquebot]] mail.<ref name="stange"/>
The village and environs were the scene of the ill-fated attempt of [[Roger Casement]] and cohorts [[Arms trafficking|to land arms]] at [[Banna Strand]] to aid the [[Easter Rising]]. Casement was landed from a German submarine, just north of the harbour in the early hours of 21 April 1916, but the ship, ''Aud Norge'', never landed at Fenit and was scuttled in Cork harbour by its German captain lest the British forces take possession of the arms cache.{{citation needed|date=August 2017}} History repeated itself when in 1984, the ''Marita Ann'' a Fenit-registered boat, attempted a similar operation on behalf of the [[Provisional Irish Republican Army]]. They were discovered by the authorities and arrested off the coast. This operation had the present TD for [[Kerry North (Dáil constituency)|Kerry North]], [[Martin Ferris]] prosecuted for gun-running, convicted for the possession of explosive substances for unlawful purpose and for possession of firearms and ammunition with intent to endanger life. Ferris served 10 years in prison.{{citation needed|date=August 2017}}
On 2 August 1922, during the [[Irish Civil War]], Fenit was the scene of a major seaborne landing, from the ship ''[[Lady Wicklow (ship)|Lady Wicklow]]'', by 450 [[Irish Free State|Free State]] troops, as part of a [[Irish Free State offensive|civil war offensive]] to re-take Kerry and the [[Irish Republican Army (1922–1969)|Republican]]-held province of [[Munster]].  The republican forces had intended to blow up the pier if an attack was launched but the charges were rendered inoperable by unknown persons in an attempt to minimise damage to the port.<ref>{{cite book  | last = Harrington | first = Niall C. | title = Kerry Landing, August 1992: An Episode of the Civil War | publisher =  Anvil Books | date =  January 1992 | isbn = 0-947962-70-0 }}</ref>
==Harbour==
{{unreferenced section|date=May 2023}}
[[File:fenit.jpg|thumb|right|Leaving Fenit harbour]]
The harbour at Fenit is the most westerly commercial port of Ireland and Europe. The port is owned by the Irish state and was operated under the 1946 Harbours Act by the [[Tralee and Fenit Pier and Harbour Commissioners]] until October 2011, when it became the responsibility of the Kerry County Council.  Fenit is the only commercial port between [[Foynes]] on the [[River Shannon]] and [[Cork Harbour|Cork]].  It is located between [[Kerry Head]] to the north and [[Brandon Head]] to the south.  The deep water port is a major asset to County Kerry and caters for vessels up to 17,000 Dwt.
The Tralee Harbour Board was established in 1840.  Commercial shipping started to use [[Blennerville]], at the head of Tralee Bay, as the access point for the town of Tralee.  Prior to this cargo for Tralee was transported through [[Barrow Harbour]], a natural sea inlet, just north of Fenit.  Barrow Harbour was, historically, the port used to service [[Ardfert]], now a village but, in the monastic era, it was a major ecclesiastical centre with students and monks from many parts of Europe.  In 1880, Fenit harbour was built and the Harbour Board took on the name "Tralee and Fenit Pier and Harbour Board".
It has traditionally served as the merchants' port for Tralee. Coal, grain timber, etc., were landed during the 20th century with oil and cranes becoming the main cargo until the fuel distribution base was dismantled in the late 1990s.  The main deep sea pier is 175m long with extensive storage facilities available.  Regularly accommodating 15,000 tonne ships, the port is a very picturesque mixed use port with a marina, fishing and commercial ships.  There are about 15 shipments per year.  This is almost totally due to the export of container cranes manufactured by [[Liebherr Group|Liebherr's]] Irish subsidiary, based in Killarney, which are shipped all over the world.
[[File:Fenit harbour ireland.jpg|thumb|Fenit Marina]]
The port was a major port for landing fish in the 1970s.  The local fishing industry has all but ceased due to EU quota limits and competition from larger fleets from Spain and France.  Until 2006, French companies still used the port to land fish that were then transported directly to the European mainland.  The [[oil industry]] has, in the past, used Fenit as a base for their supply boats on several occasions when exploring off the west and southwest coast of Ireland.
==Marina==
Fenit Marina, built in 1997, largely with the aid of EU funding, is a 130-berth marina located at Fenit harbour<ref name="marina">{{cite web | title = Tralee and Fenit Marina | publisher = Tralee and Fenit Harbour Commissioners | date = 11 February 2007 | url = http://www.fenitharbour.com/marina.html | access-date = 26 June 2008}}</ref> and  connected to the land by an 800m [[causeway]] and [[viaduct]].  The marina caters to leisure craft for boats from 6m to 15m in length with an approach depth of 5m which provides access at all tidal levels. The minimum depth of water is 3m.
[[File:Fenit, Kerry.jpg|thumb|Little Samphire lighthouse]]
==Lighthouse==
{{unreferenced section|date=August 2017}}
In 1851 a [[lighthouse]] was built on the little [[Samphire]] island, located a few hundred meters west of Fenit pier.  A large bronze sculpture of Saint Brendan was erected in 2004 on [[Great Samphire Island]], the rock around which the harbour was built.
This island has been utilised as part of the port development and its name se'Great Samphire Island' appears to refer to the height when compared to its much flatter twin, Little Samphire Island. ("Samphire" is a small flowering plant used in cookery and lends its name to the twin islands in the bay.)
==Transport==
===Railway===
A railway once serviced Fenit and freight trains travelled over the viaduct to transfer freight between ship and train. In 1887 the railway line was built, but by the 1970s the service ceased.  Fenit railway station opened on 5 July 1887, closed for passenger traffic on 31 December 1934 though it was still used for ad hoc day-tripper excursions from Tralee and closed for goods traffic until 2 June 1978.<ref>{{cite web|title=Fenit train station|work=Railscot – Irish Railways|url=http://www.railscot.co.uk/Ireland/Irish_railways.pdf | access-date=14 October 2007}}</ref>
===Bus services===
On Fridays [[Bus Éireann]] route 278 provides two journeys from Fenit to [[Tralee]] and one return journey.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.buseireann.ie/inner.php?id=247#Kerry|title=Bus Eireann Expressway : Searchable timetables|website=Buseireann.ie|access-date=1 November 2021}}</ref> [[Córas Iompair Éireann|CIÉ]] used to operate three buses per day in and out of Fenit in the 1980s. Bus services are virtually non-existent and primarily service the school-going populace during term time.
===Road network===
The [[R551 road (Ireland)|R551]] and [[R558 road (Ireland)|R558]] roads lead to Tralee. [[Kerry Airport|Kerry Regional Airport]] is approximately thirty minutes away.  Both [[Shannon Airport|Shannon]] and [[Cork Airport|Cork]] airports take about a two hours car journey.
=== Greenway ===
Since October 2022, the 11.2&nbsp;km [[Tralee–Fenit Greenway]] connects Fenit with Tralee following the route of the disused railway line.<ref>{{cite news |last=Nolan |first=Donal |title=North Kerry charts a route to health and prosperity as greenway finally opens |work=Local Notes |publisher=[[The Kerryman]] |date=11 October 2022 |url=https://www.independent.ie/regionals/kerryman/north-west-kerry-news/north-kerry-charts-a-route-to-health-and-prosperity-as-greenway-finally-opens-42058507.html |accessdate=2 April 2023 }}</ref>
==List of craft associated with Tralee Bay==
*Saint Brendan's Sailing Boat(s): North America reached by Irish sailors prior to Vikings and Christopher Columbus
* ''Nuestra Señora del Socorro'': Ship from Spanish Armada arrested in Tralee Bay
* ''Jeanie Johnston'' – original: Tralee-owned emigrant ship, mid-19th century
* The ''[[SS Libau]]'' – a German ship sailing under the name ''Aud'' which carried guns for 1916 revolution
* {{HMS|Bluebell|1915|6}}: British warship used to arrest "Aud Norge"
* {{SMU|U-19|Germany|2}}: German U Boat that brought Roger Casement to Ireland
* {{SS|Lady Wicklow}}: Merchant ship used by Irish Free State Army to land troops on Fenit Pier<ref>{{cite book|last=Doyle|first=Tom|title=The civil war in Kerry|publisher=Mercier Press|year=2008|location=Cork, Ireland|page=117|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mcXdStg4ppQC&q=%22Lady%20Wicklow%22%20Merchant%20ship&pg=PA117 |isbn=978-1-85635-590-2 }}</ref>
* ''[[Nonoalca]]'': Small yacht sailed singlehanded from America.
* [[MV Valhalla|MV ''Valhalla'']]: Merchant ship used in attempt to bring arms from USA to Fenit
* ''[[Marita Ann]]'': Fenit trawler used in attempt to land arms from USA
* [[LE Deirdre|LE ''Deirdre'']]: One of three Irish Navy ships used to prevent landing of arms at Fenit
* [[LE Emer|LE ''Emer'']]: One of three Irish Navy ships used to prevent landing of arms at Fenit
* [[LE Aisling|LE ''Aisling'']]: One of three Irish Navy ships used to prevent landing of arms at Fenit
* ''[[Jeanie Johnston]]'' – reconstruction: Reconstruction sailing ship built in Blennerville, Tralee and Fenit
==Other features==
{{Unreferenced section|date=January 2010}}
Fenit Castle, a tower house, was built in the 16th century to protect the entrance to Barrow Harbour. This was built by the FitzMaurice clan and still commands a dominant position over the surrounding landscape.  Other notable buildings include the customs house, now derelict, the redbrick RIC barracks buildings, now private houses, the stone built lifeboat house that is now disused. The large estate of ''Fenit House'' and its grounds dominate the village on the shore-side of the main road into the village. Formerly the Fuller's and Hurley estate, it was built in 1910.
Tralee Golf Club had their original course situated on Fenit island at the end of the 19th century, and it now exists across the straits of [[Barrow Harbour]], having also been located at two venues in Tralee; Mounthawk and Lis Beg, Oakpark in the interim.
Recreational [[angling]] is a common activity in Fenit, where many visitors fish from the [[viaduct]].{{citation needed|date=May 2021}} Tralee Bay Sea Angling Club, the largest angling club in Ireland,{{citation needed|date=May 2021}} have their clubhouse on the marina breakwater in the harbour.  Tralee Bay Sailing Club have a slipway and clubhouse building on a prominent point overlooking the harbour and bay. The local soccer team now bears the name 'Fenit Samphires', which were established in 1994. The local [[Gaelic football]] team, [[Churchill GAA]], includes members from Fenit village, the townland of Churchill, and the adjacent village of [[Spa, County Kerry|Spa]].
==See also==
* [[List of marinas]]
* [[List of RNLI stations]]
* [[List of towns and villages in the Republic of Ireland|List of towns and villages in Ireland]].
==References==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}
==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20081121044309/http://www.rnli.org.uk/rnli_near_you/ireland/stations/FenitKerry/history  Fenit lifeboat history] [[RNLI]]
* [https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/500651 Disused Fenit railway station]
* [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02758c.htm Saint Brendan]
* [http://www.inyourfootsteps.com/sailing/harbours/europe/ireland/kerry/212/fenit_harbour Fenit Harbour]
{{County Kerry}}
[[Category:Port cities and towns in the Republic of Ireland]]
[[Category:Towns and villages in County Kerry]]
[[Category:Civil parishes of County Kerry]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in County Kerry]]
[[Category:Marinas in the Republic of Ireland]]
[[Category:Tralee]]