An Engaging Lecture in a Medieval Setting

The Medieval Experience at Kerry County Museum was a fitting setting for Fr Terence Crotty OPs’ book launch and lecture on Monday March 30th.

The Medieval Experience recreates the streets of Tralee as they were in 1450 AD with all the sights, sounds and smells of a bustling community. And there, amidst the narrow medieval streets, Fr Terence artfully wove the history of the friars’ service in Tralee around many aspects of local history, emphasising the significance of the Order’s presence in the town – evidenced, for example, by the interment of several Earls of Desmond in the 1243 Dominican Abbey.

Fr Terence’s book “The Irish Dominicans 800 Years, 1224 – 2024” was published in late 2025 and is a Dominican Publications Bestseller. It is available for purchase in the Mass Office.

Launching the book, Prior Fr David McGovern OP acknowledged Fr Terence’s extensive work and the profound contribution of his publication. He thanked Scripture teacher Fr Terence for travelling from Rome for a most informative and enjoyable lecture, and extended the best wishes of Holy Cross Community to him with his publication.

Fr David acknowledged the continued support of the team at Kerry County Museum and wished them well with upcoming restoration and renovation work at the museum. While the Medieval Experience and Archaeology Hall both remain open for the remainder of 2026, the upper floor of the museum closed earlier this month for extensive refurbishment, resulting in the arduous task of decanting up to 4,000 artefacts. The Community at Holy Cross looks forward to the reopening of the upper gallery in 2028 and the opportunities which the planned community rooftop garden will afford.