Tralee

Tralee Trá Lí
city
Roses in Tralee's town park
Coat of arms
Motto: Vis Unita Fortior  (Latin) "United Strength is Stronger"
Tralee Location in Ireland
Coordinates: 52°16′03″N 9°41′46″W / 52.2675°N 9.6962°W / 52.2675; -9.6962Coordinates: 52°16′03″N 9°41′46″W / 52.2675°N 9.6962°W / 52.2675; -9.6962
Country	Ireland
Province	Munster
County	Kerry
Council	Kerry County Council
Dáil Éireann	Kerry North–West Limerick
European Parliament	South
Elevation	37 m (121 ft)
Population (2011)
• city	23,693
• Rank	13th
• Density	739.2/km2 (1,915/sq mi)
• Urban	4,885
• Rural	18,808
Area code(s)	(+353) 66
Irish Grid Reference	Q828141
Website	tralee.ie

Tralee (/træ.ˈliː/; Irish: Trá Lí (formerly Tráigh Lí), meaning "strand of the Lee (river)") is the county town of County Kerry in the south-west of Ireland. The town is on the northern side of the neck of the Dingle Peninsula, and is the largest town in County Kerry. The town's population including suburbs was 23,693 as of the 2011^[update] census making it the 7th largest town, and 13th largest urban settlement in Ireland. Tralee is well known for the Rose of Tralee International Festival which has been held annually in August since 1959.

Situated at the confluence of some small rivers and adjacent to marshy ground at the head of Tralee Bay, Tralee is located at the base of a very ancient roadway that heads south over the Slieve Mish Mountains. On this old track is located a large boulder sometimes called Scotia's Grave, reputedly the burial place of an Egyptian Pharaoh's daughter.

Anglo-Normans founded the town in the 13th century, which became a stronghold of the Earls of Desmond, who built a castle. John Fitz-Thomas FitzGerald founded the monastery of the Dominican order and was buried there in 1260. The medieval town was burnt in 1580 in retribution for the Desmond Rebellions against Elizabeth I.